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26 schools in Michigan offer automotive technology-related programs, compared below on official cost, completion, and earnings data. Prefer to earn while you learn? 20 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Michigan train automotive technology apprentices — see apprenticeships. Federal program data groups automotive technology with diesel mechanics and aviation maintenance — schools below may offer any of these.
Michigan is one of the few states that actually licenses auto mechanics: under the Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Act (PA 300 of 1974), anyone repairing vehicles for compensation must be certified by the Michigan Department of State in each category of repair they perform. Certification is exam-based — $18 per category test plus a $25 application — with no schooling requirement, and ASE-certified techs can transfer their credentials instead of retesting. Newcomers can work up to 2 years under a certified mechanic on a $20 Mechanic Trainee Permit before certifying; three categories (engine performance, electrical, brakes) require 5-year renewal.
Official source: Michigan Department of State, Business Licensing Section · Exam: State mechanic exam for each repair category, offered electronically at Secretary of State offices ($18 per test as of July 1, 2026, under Public Act 59 of 2025); passing ASE exams in equivalent categories can be transferred in lieu of the state tests. · Typical requirement: No classroom hours mandated — certification is exam-based ($25 application after passing). A Mechanic Trainee Permit ($20, valid 2 years, nonrenewable) lets you work under a certified mechanic while you prepare. Engine tune-up/performance, electrical, and brakes categories require recertification every 5 years.
| School | City | Type | Net price / yr | Completion | Earnings (10 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Ford College | Dearborn | public | $660 | 22.4% | $34,795 |
| Macomb Community College | Warren | public | $1,618 | 16.6% | $41,596 |
| Kalamazoo Valley Community College | Kalamazoo | public | $2,979 | 21.5% | $38,618 |
| Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | public | $3,249 | 31.1% | $39,449 |
| Alpena Community College | Alpena | public | $3,320 | 50.4% | $36,442 |
| Muskegon Community College | Muskegon | public | $4,005 | 20.9% | $36,549 |
| Monroe County Community College | Monroe | public | $4,586 | 23.6% | $41,646 |
| Delta College | University Center | public | $4,547 | 23.8% | $37,781 |
| Gogebic Community College | Ironwood | public | $5,397 | 34.7% | $40,950 |
| Lansing Community College | Lansing | public | $5,437 | 19.2% | $39,206 |
| Oakland Community College | Auburn Hills | public | $5,777 | 31.6% | $37,395 |
| Southwestern Michigan College | Dowagiac | public | $5,978 | 30.4% | $37,303 |
| Northwestern Michigan College | Traverse City | public | $6,231 | 32% | $38,167 |
| Mott Community College | Flint | public | $5,687 | 21.3% | $32,538 |
| Montcalm Community College | Sidney | public | $7,280 | 34.7% | $35,499 |
| Kirtland Community College | Grayling | public | $7,456 | 23% | $35,831 |
| Jackson College | Jackson | public | $7,761 | 19.5% | $36,898 |
| Mid Michigan College | Harrison | public | $8,370 | 22.9% | $37,319 |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | public | $8,621 | 23.8% | $38,377 |
| Glen Oaks Community College | Centreville | public | $8,918 | 28.8% | $37,540 |
| Wayne County Community College District | Detroit | public | $7,656 | 19.7% | $29,079 |
| Bay de Noc Community College | Escanaba | public | $11,949 | 36.5% | $35,090 |
| Universal Technical Institute-Canton | Canton | private for-profit | $22,985 | 65.8% | $62,575 |
| Michigan Career and Technical Institute | Plainwell | public | not reported | 43.9% | $29,376 |
| School of Missionary Aviation Technology | Ionia | private nonprofit | $17,511 | 95.1% | not reported |
| Marine Trades Institute | Cedarville | private nonprofit | $25,522 | not reported | not reported |
Ranking = median earnings 10 years after entry per $1,000 of average yearly net price (methodology). Schools without both figures sort last — "not reported" means the federal dataset lacks the value, not that the school is bad.
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