2026 Best Value Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools
[Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician](/majors/mechanical-repair-technologies/vehicle-maintenance-repair-tech/small-engine-mechanics-and-repair-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Schools
Leading the list is Metropolitan Community College Area, our #1 best value for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician in the United States. Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public school located in the city of Omaha. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,799 in student loans. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Centro College earned it the #2 place for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $7,959 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $38,239. That is a strong return on a $7,959 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Bates Technical College one of the best values for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician. Set in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,027, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Median earnings reach $50,051 ten years out.
Southern Crescent Technical College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician schools. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American River College earned it the #5 place for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Austin Community College District placed #6 among the best values for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,230 in student loans. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $41,194 early in their careers. Set against $10,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco placed #7 among the best values for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,696, with out-of-state students paying around $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area landed the #8 spot for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $10,375 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $52,556. Set against $10,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Western Idaho ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician schools. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,446, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Western Idaho generally make around $36,676.
Utah Valley University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arkansas State University Beebe earned the #11 position for value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Beebe, Arkansas State University Beebe is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,336 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,232 for out-of-state students. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,350 in student loans. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $30,293. That is a strong return on a $9,350 median debt.
Clackamas Community College earned the #12 position for value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Oregon City, Clackamas Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,345, with out-of-state students paying around $14,265. Students borrow a median of $13,915 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $31,280. Set against $13,915 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College came in at #13 for value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $45,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Dakota State College Of Science earned the #14 position for value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,974 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,835 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $56,659. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #15 position for value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $47,998. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College earned the #16 position for value in small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $57,382. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Los Angeles Trade Technical College placed #17 among the best values for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles Trade Technical College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,238, with out-of-state students paying around $10,572. Students borrow a median of $14,833 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $53,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #18 spot for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,624 in student loans. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $52,325. That is a strong return on a $9,624 median debt.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College landed the #19 spot for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,908. Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $53,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $44,279. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The University Of Montana landed the #21 spot for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician value this year. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, compared with $33,671 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates is $24,342. Early-career small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician graduates make about $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Ohio Technical College landed the #22 spot for small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Ohio Technical College is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, small engine mechanics & repair technology/technician degree recipients from Ohio Technical College generally make around $35,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Other Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician rankings across degree levels:
View All Small Engine Mechanics & Repair Technology/Technician Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
