2027 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/diesel-mechanics-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong diesel mechanics technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 31 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools.
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2027 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in diesel mechanics technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
Joliet Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Students borrow a median of $11,995 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. In-state tuition and fees average $3,568, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $18,876 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $36,247. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $41,313 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in diesel mechanics technology/technician will find it at Triton College, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Triton College earn a median of $43,278 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lincoln Land Community College earned it the #5 place for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $48,308. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $15,525. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $44,198. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
Kishwaukee College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $13,680. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. Set against $10,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kankakee Community College landed the #9 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $13,289. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College earned the #10 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,663 in student loans. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. Set against $15,663 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College earned the #11 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $37,994 early in their careers. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kaskaskia College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Centralia, Kaskaskia College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $12,570. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,875 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kaskaskia College earn a median of $45,658 early in their careers. Set against $7,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College came in at #13 for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Parkland College is a large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $51,093. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirtland Community College placed #14 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, while out-of-state students pay about $9,870. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,333 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Kirtland Community College earn a median of $50,469 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,333 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #15 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $8,375. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $35,427. Set against $8,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington State Community College placed #16 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the town of Marietta, Washington State Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,128, while out-of-state students pay about $4,152. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $16,291. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Washington State Community College generally make around $45,305. Set against $16,291 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $8,478 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College earn a median of $25,842 early in their careers. Set against $8,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rend Lake College placed #18 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,500, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $8,688 in student loans. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $42,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value diesel mechanics technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,434. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $38,331. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College placed #20 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Set in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,709 to complete the diesel mechanics technology/technician program here. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College landed the #21 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,626 in student loans. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross landed the #22 spot for diesel mechanics technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Early-career diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates make about $43,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #23 among the best values for diesel mechanics technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $16,595. Diesel Mechanics Technology/technician graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $46,398 early in their careers. Set against $16,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University earned the #24 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $12,421. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $51,346. Set against $12,421 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #25 position for value in diesel mechanics technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for diesel mechanics technology/technician graduates is $9,625. Soon after graduation, diesel mechanics technology/technician degree recipients from Fox Valley Technical College generally make around $46,837. That is a strong return on a $9,625 median debt.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in diesel mechanics technology/technician:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.