Accredited Programs Only
Mechanic School Programs, Compared on Federal Data
698 ASE accredited and FAA Part 147 programs, scored on cost, graduate earnings, completion and track record from federal data.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group
Mechanic Schools by Trade
Each trade has its own accreditor and its own ranking. Pick yours.
Auto Mechanic Schools Cars and light trucks: ASE accredited Automobile programs. 415 accredited programs Led by De Anza College, Cupertino, CA See the Rankings 
Diesel Mechanic Schools Trucks, buses and heavy equipment: ASE accredited Medium/Heavy Duty Truck programs. 76 accredited programs Led by Fox Valley Technical College, Appleton, WI See the Rankings 
Auto Body and Collision Repair Schools Body, structural repair and refinishing: ASE accredited collision programs. 59 accredited programs Led by Tulsa Technology Center, Tulsa, OK See the Rankings 
Aviation Mechanic Schools Airframe and powerplant training at FAA Part 147 schools. 148 accredited programs Led by Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, West Mifflin, PA See the Rankings Mechanic Schools by State
State rankings put every trade in one place, with the state’s pay from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
More Ways to Compare
- Automotive Associate DegreesRanked automotive programs that award an associate degree 280
- Diesel Mechanic DegreesRanked diesel programs that award an associate degree 37
- Cheapest Mechanic SchoolsAccredited schools by published tuition and fees, lowest first 497
- Manufacturer-Sponsored ProgramsAccredited programs with a manufacturer training partnership 120
Careers, Guides and the Blog
Before choosing a school: what each trade involves, what training takes, and the data behind the rankings.
- Mechanic CareersFive trades: the work, the training and the outlook
- Mechanic SalariesBLS pay for five occupations, by state
- ASE CertificationThe tests, the work experience and how a program counts
- How Long Mechanic School TakesProgram lengths by trade and award level
- What Mechanic School CostsYearly and whole-program prices by trade and school type
- Most Common Manufacturer Programs at Ranked SchoolsFrom the blog
How We Rank
A program is ranked only if the ASE Education Foundation accredits it in its trade, or the FAA certificates it as a Part 147 school, and it meets a federal entry bar. Each ranked program is then scored out of 100 on five measures, from public data.
- 25 Cost
- 25 Graduate Earnings
- 20 Completion
- 15 Track Record
- 15 Program Reputation
What Each Trade Pays
Bureau of Labor Statistics median annual pay, May 2025 estimates, by occupation.
- $50,620 automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023)
- $61,770 bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (SOC 49-3031)
- $54,890 automotive body and related repairers (SOC 49-3021)
- $79,870 aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011)
Each occupation has its own salary page with percentiles, jobs and pay in every state.
Questions About Mechanic School
What is the best mechanic school?
It depends on the trade, the state and what a student can pay, which is why this site ranks four trades separately. For 2027, De Anza College leads automotive, Fox Valley Technical College leads diesel, Tulsa Technology Center leads collision repair, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics leads aviation maintenance. Each ranking scores accredited programs on cost, graduate earnings, completion, track record and program reputation; the full methodology gives the weights.
Do I need mechanic school to become a mechanic?
Not always. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says some automotive technicians enter the occupation with a high school diploma and learn on the job, and that most diesel technicians learn on the job after high school, though employers may prefer candidates who completed postsecondary training. A certificate or degree from an accredited program is the route these rankings cover.
Is ASE accreditation the same as ASE certification?
No. The ASE Education Foundation accredits programs, not people. ASE certifies individual technicians who pass its tests and have hands-on work experience, or a combination of formal training and experience. This site ranks accredited programs; it does not certify anyone.
How much do mechanics make?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 medians are $50,620 for automotive service technicians and mechanics, $61,770 for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists, $54,890 for automotive body and related repairers, $79,870 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians. Each state ranking shows the state’s own figures.
How does this site make money?
This site earns money from sponsored school listings served by the education ad network Esyoh, which are marked as ads wherever they appear. Schools pay to appear in those listings, not in the rankings: a listing is not scored, and no listing can change a ranking. Rankings come from published records, and program details from each school’s own published pages.
Sources for the Mechanic School Rankings
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS Completions (awards July 2024 to June 2025, provisional), tuition and fees for 2024-25, graduation rates within 150% of normal time and the institutional directory.
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study earnings, released June 10, 2026.
- ASE Education Foundation, accredited program list Downloaded November 3, 2026.
- FAA, Part 147 aviation maintenance technician school list FAA data updated October 26, 2026, read October 30, 2026.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 estimates.