Best colleges for Mechanics and Repairers
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the adjustment, maintenance, part replacement, and repair of tools, equipment, and machines.
13 U.S. institutions graduated 329 Mechanics and Repairers students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 47.0000, a specialization of Mechanics and Repairers (CIP 47.00), and leads most directly to the First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers occupation (BLS SOC 49-1011).
About Mechanics and Repairers programs
A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the adjustment, maintenance, part replacement, and repair of tools, equipment, and machines.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Mechanics and Repairers program, also known as Mechanics and Repairers, General, prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the adjustment, maintenance, part replacement, and repair of tools, equipment, and machines. This program is ideal for those who enjoy hands-on work and are interested in pursuing a career in mechanic and repair technologies.
Students in this program will develop core skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework typically covers mechanical knowledge, customer service, and safety protocols, equipping students with the necessary tools to excel in various repair and maintenance tasks.
Credentials awarded
What Mechanics and Repairers graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Associate's degree192 graduates / yr · 9 institutions58%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years88 graduates / yr · 3 institutions27%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year49 graduates / yr · 3 institutions15%
Graduates over time
Mechanics and Repairers completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 109 |
| 2013 | 136 |
| 2014 | 112 |
| 2015 | 294 |
| 2016 | 190 |
| 2017 | 227 |
| 2018 | 262 |
| 2019 | 505 |
| 2020 | 420 |
| 2021 | 389 |
| 2022 | 347 |
| 2023 | 431 |
| 2024 | 433 |
| 2025 | 329 |
Top 13 institutions for Mechanics and Repairers, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 129 | 40% | — |
| 2 | George C Wallace State Community College - Hanceville Hanceville, ALPublicAssociate's | 69 | 51% | — |
| 3 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 65% | — |
| 4 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg Parkersburg, WVPublicAssociate's | 29 | 9% | — |
| 5 | Kellogg Community College Battle Creek, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 30% | — |
| 6 | El Paso Community College El Paso, TXPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 11 | 24% | — |
| 7 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith Fort Smith, ARPublicAssociate's | 10 | 38% | — |
| 8 | Henry Ford College Dearborn, MIPublicAssociate's | 9 | 17% | — |
| 9 | Tidewater Community College Norfolk, VAPublicAssociate's | 6 | 32% | — |
| 10 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 25% | — |
| 11 | Oakland Community College Auburn Hills, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 21% | — |
| 12 | Weber State University Ogden, UTPublicAssociate's | 4 | 46% | — |
| 13 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAssociate's | 2 | 38% | — |
Offered in 10 states
Where Mechanics and Repairers graduates come from. Each state links to all Mechanics and Repairers programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 1 | 129 | Ivy Tech Community College129 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 69 | George C Wallace State Community College - Hanceville69 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 39 | Fox Valley Technical College39 / yr |
| West Virginia | 1 | 29 | West Virginia University at Parkersburg29 / yr |
| Michigan | 3 | 25 | Kellogg Community College12 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 11 | El Paso Community College11 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 10 | University of Arkansas-Fort Smith10 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 6 | Weber State University4 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 6 | Tidewater Community College6 / yr |
| Illinois | 1 | 5 | College of DuPage5 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 49-1011, First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Mechanics and Repairers program can pursue careers such as First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers. The job outlook for this field is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 3.1% and approximately 52,400 annual openings. The median wage in this field is $78,300, and a high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 47.0000
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairersprimary SOC 49-1011 | $79,860 | +3.1% About as fast as average | ~52,400 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other SOC 49-9099 | $49,230 | +2.4% About as fast as average | ~21,500 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Mechanics and Repairers programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Inspect, test, and measure completed work, using devices such as hand tools or gauges to verify conformance to standards or repair requirements.
- Inspect and monitor work areas, examine tools and equipment, and provide employee safety training to prevent, detect, and correct unsafe conditions or violations of procedures and safety rules.
- Interpret specifications, blueprints, or job orders to construct templates and lay out reference points for workers.
- Monitor employees' work levels and review work performance.
- Perform skilled repair or maintenance operations, using equipment such as hand or power tools, hydraulic presses or shears, or welding equipment.
- Compute estimates and actual costs of factors such as materials, labor, or outside contractors.
Tools and technology used
Common questions
What types of degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn an Associate's degree, an award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years, or an award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 13 colleges offering the Mechanics and Repairers program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and mechanical knowledge.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 3.1% and 52,400 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Mechanics and Repairers?+
Mechanics and Repairers is CIP 47.0000 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Mechanics and Repairers (CIP 47.00). NCES defines it as: A program that generally prepares individuals to apply technical knowledge and skills in the adjustment, maintenance, part replacement, and repair of tools, equipment, and machines.
How many institutions offer Mechanics and Repairers programs?+
13 U.S. institutions reported Mechanics and Repairers graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 10 states, awarding 329 credentials in the year. That is 100.0% of all Mechanics and Repairers graduates.
How much do Mechanics and Repairers graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers occupation, which Mechanics and Repairers most directly leads to, pays a median of $79,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license. This specialization accounts for nearly all Mechanics and Repairers graduates, so its figures match the Mechanics and Repairers program page.
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