19 accredited programs at 16 schools in Michigan, ranked for 2027: automotive, diesel, collision repair and aviation maintenance. Universal Technical Institute-Canton in Canton, MI has the highest score, and aircraft mechanics and service technicians here earn a median $74,900.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group Updated
At a Glance
19 ranked programs at 16 schools in Michigan: 14 automotive, 1 diesel, 1 collision repair and 3 aviation maintenance.
Universal Technical Institute-Canton in Canton, MI scores highest, 62.6 out of 100 (aviation maintenance).
BLS reports a May 2025 median of $54,120 for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023) in Michigan.
Published prices run from $2,736 a year, in-district (Washtenaw Community College) to $29,000 for the 13-month program (School of Missionary Aviation Technology).
13 of 16 ranked mechanic schools in Michigan are public institutions.
Top Mechanic Schools in Michigan
These mechanic schools in Michigan run in score order. Ranks are this state’s; each card also gives the national rank in its trade.
Rank 1
Aviation Maintenance Technology
Universal Technical Institute-Canton
Canton, MI
Score62.6
FAA Part 147
Private For-Profit
Associate of Applied Science, 24 months
Cost
$17,943a year
Graduation rate
64%within 150% of normal time
Aircraft mechanic pay in Michigan
$74,900median, BLS May 2025
Graduate earnings
$58,899median four years after completing, certificate level
Why it ranks here
Ranked #30 of 148 aviation maintenance programs nationally. Earns its place with a 64% graduation rate and 234 awards in 2024-25, among the larger aviation maintenance programs.
Source: IPEDS 2024-25 (provisional), College Scorecard, the FAA school list and BLS OEWS May 2025.
Rank 2
Automotive Technology
Macomb Community College
Warren, MI
Score54.3
ASE Accredited Program
Public
Associate of Applied Science
GM ASEP
Cost
$3,660a year, in-district
Graduation rate
18%within 150% of normal time
Awards
93in 2024-25
Why it ranks here
Ranked #158 of 415 automotive programs nationally. Scores well on a price toward the low end of ranked automotive programs ($3,660 a year, in-district) and 93 awards in 2024-25.
Source: IPEDS 2024-25 (provisional) and the ASE accreditation list.
Rank 3
Collision Repair and Refinishing
Washtenaw Community College
Ann Arbor, MI
Score54.2
ASE Accredited Program
Public
Certificate, 18 credit hours
Cost
$2,736a year, in-district
Graduation rate
33%within 150% of normal time
Awards
13in 2024-25
Why it ranks here
Ranked #35 of 59 collision repair programs nationally. Ranked on a price of $2,736 a year, in-district, a 33% graduation rate and 13 awards in 2024-25.
14 ranked automotive programs at 14 schools in Michigan. The best placed is Macomb Community College (Warren, MI), #158 of 415 nationally and in the upper half, scoring 54.3. Washtenaw Community College is the lowest priced at $2,736 a year, in-district, against $14,778 a year at Ferris State University. Automotive programs are taught in Warren, MI, Grand Rapids, MI, Detroit, MI, Dearborn, MI, Owosso, MI and Auburn Hills, MI, and 8 more cities. The best completion rate, 52% within 150% of normal time, belongs to the program in Marquette, MI. BLS reports a May 2025 median of $54,120 for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023) in Michigan, $3,500 above the national median of $50,620.
Only Baker College (Owosso, MI) makes the diesel list for Michigan; it ranks #54 of 76 nationally, 50.0 points, in the lower half. Baker College publishes $13,000 a year. The program graduated 36% of its students within 150% of normal time and awarded 14 credentials in 2024-25. BLS reports a May 2025 median of $61,420 for bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists (SOC 49-3031) in Michigan, $350 below the national median of $61,770.
Only Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor, MI) makes the collision repair list for Michigan; it ranks #35 of 59 nationally, 54.2 points, in the lower half. Washtenaw Community College publishes $2,736 a year, in-district. The program graduated 33% of its students within 150% of normal time and awarded 13 credentials in 2024-25. BLS reports a May 2025 median of $56,880 for automotive body and related repairers (SOC 49-3021) in Michigan, $1,990 above the national median of $54,890.
3 ranked aviation maintenance programs at 3 schools in Michigan. Universal Technical Institute-Canton (Canton, MI) leads and stands #30 of 148 nationally, in the top quarter, on a score of 62.6. Lansing Community College is the lowest priced at $4,100 a year, in-district, against $29,000 for the 13-month program at School of Missionary Aviation Technology. Aviation maintenance programs are taught in Canton, MI, Lansing, MI and Ionia, MI. The best completion rate, 94% within 150% of normal time, belongs to the program in Ionia, MI. BLS reports a May 2025 median of $74,900 for aircraft mechanics and service technicians (SOC 49-3011) in Michigan, $4,970 below the national median of $79,870.
BLS counts 22,280 wage and salary jobs for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Michigan, a denser market than the national average. The medians below describe each occupation in the state, not the graduates of the mechanic schools in $Michigan above.
BLS median pay in Michigan by occupation, May 2025
Occupation
Median
Lowest 10%
Highest 10%
Jobs
U.S. median
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics SOC 49-3023
$54,120
under $36,110
over $79,060
22,280
$50,620
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists SOC 49-3031
$61,420
under $45,240
over $81,010
9,020
$61,770
Automotive Body and Related Repairers SOC 49-3021
$56,880
under $37,360
over $84,050
5,010
$54,890
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians SOC 49-3011
$74,900
under $48,180
over $118,100
3,380
$79,870
Largest metropolitan areas for automotive service technicians and mechanics: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI at $56,000 (9,520 jobs), Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI at $49,310 (3,340 jobs) and Flint, MI at $48,680 (920 jobs).
For bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI at $63,360 (3,820 jobs) and Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI at $61,240 (1,550 jobs).
For automotive body and related repairers: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI at $62,550 (2,130 jobs) and Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI at $56,770 (680 jobs).
For aircraft mechanics and service technicians: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI at $75,940 (1,550 jobs) and Ann Arbor, MI at $62,140 (550 jobs).
Mechanic Salary in Michigan has the full percentiles, every metropolitan area BLS publishes and the five mechanic trades side by side.
Mechanic Licensing in Michigan
Michigan requires a mechanic credential for repair work done for pay, issued by the Michigan Department of State: state mechanic certification (specialty or master mechanic certificate); mechanic trainee permit for uncertified workers.
Repair businesses are licensed or registered through the Michigan Department of State: motor vehicle repair facility registration.
For 2027, Universal Technical Institute-Canton in Canton, MI has the highest score of the 19 ranked programs in Michigan, 62.6 out of 100. Among the mechanic schools in Michigan, the leaders by trade are Macomb Community College (automotive), Baker College (diesel), Washtenaw Community College (collision repair) and Universal Technical Institute-Canton (aviation maintenance). 13 of the 16 ranked schools with a recorded control are public.
Which mechanic schools in Michigan are accredited?
The 16 ranked mechanic schools in Michigan hold ASE Education Foundation accreditation in automotive, diesel and collision repair and FAA Part 147 certification for aviation maintenance, and each met the federal entry bar for the ranking.
How much do mechanics make in Michigan?
In the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 estimates, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in Michigan earn a median of $54,120, $3,500 above the national median of $50,620; Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists earn a median of $61,420, $350 below the national median of $61,770. These are medians for wage and salary workers in the occupation, not starting pay.
How much do mechanic schools in Michigan cost?
Among the mechanic schools in Michigan with a published price, tuition and fees run from $2,736 a year, in-district at Washtenaw Community College (Ann Arbor, MI) to $29,000 for the 13-month program at School of Missionary Aviation Technology (Ionia, MI). The median across the state is about $5,190 a year.
Do you need a license to work as a mechanic in Michigan?
Michigan requires a mechanic credential for repair work done for pay, issued by the Michigan Department of State: state mechanic certification (specialty or master mechanic certificate); mechanic trainee permit for uncertified workers. Repair businesses are licensed or registered through the Michigan Department of State: motor vehicle repair facility registration.
Sources for Michigan 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.
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.
