Best Auto Mechanic Schools In San Jose Ranked For 2026

De Anza introduced its Automotive Service and Repair AS in spring 2026, covering multiple areas of automotive repair.

The department describes daytime degrees and certificates in three major subject areas and evening routes in four, including options for apprentices and working technicians.

Introductory and evening automotive classes have noncredit options without tuition. The department also offers noncredit certificates.

Evening classes provide hands-on work with hybrid and plug-in vehicles from Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota.

Chabot identifies the program as an Accredited ASE Master Automobile Service Technician Program, and says its instructors are ASE certified with substantial industry experience.

The published training areas include advanced driver assistance systems, new vehicle technologies, automotive electronics, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and alternative fuels alongside conventional repair systems.

Chabot lists fuel and emission systems, engines and engine performance, brakes and suspension, manual and automatic transmissions, drivetrains, and air conditioning among its program skill areas.

The program page lists an Automotive Technology associate degree, credit certificates in several specialties, and a noncredit enrollment option that provides the same high-level education at reduced cost.

The sample AS course map starts with Intro to Mechanics and general education, then places Automotive Electrical and major electives in the third semester.

The Automotive Technician Certificate of Achievement requires Intro to Automotive Mechanics and Automotive Electrical as its first-semester courses, totaling 11 units before elective choices.

Certificate electives include automatic and manual transmission, engine repair, engine performance and drivability, hybrid and EV maintenance, heating and air conditioning, suspension and steering, braking, and service consulting.

CCSF says it offers a Subaru vehicle-specific training and technical internship program in addition to its entry-level and advanced Automotive Technology courses.

Evergreen Valley lists degree routes in Drivetrain and Chassis and Electrical Engine Performance within its Automotive Technology program offerings available to students.

The program describes courses in electrics, steering, brakes, transmissions, hybrids, and fuel systems alongside hands-on work in a clean automotive repair shop.

The Honda PACT section offers a certificate route focused on current Honda technology and describes opportunities to work in the industry through the program.

Evergreen Valley describes Tesla START as an intensive 16-week program that trains students to work for Tesla in current electric-vehicle technology.

The major requires a 40-unit automotive systems core plus four units in automotive introduction, either as one combined course or separate lecture and lab courses.

Program outcomes require students to apply safety procedures for alternative fuels and high voltage, diagnose alternative-fuel systems, and perform high-voltage disable procedures.

The required two-unit Beginning Automotive Lab lets students complete self-initiated projects on their own vehicles, with instructor supervision and computerized service manuals.

The A.S. requires at least 60 degree-pattern units, a minimum 2.0 grade-point average, general education, and at least 12 units earned at Las Positas College.

Los Medanos lists preparation in engine repair, automatic transmissions, manual drivetrains, steering and suspension, brakes, electrical systems, air conditioning, engine performance, and advanced performance.

The program describes hands-on instruction and state-of-the-art training in emissions, engine diagnosis, electrical and body communication, brakes, suspension, and hybrid systems.

Students can earn an Automotive A.S. by adding general education, while the certificate of achievement requires 18 units including English, math, and computer competency.

Los Medanos says the program provides training opportunities for people already working in the field who want to upgrade their skills.

The ATECH program is certified by the Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation as a Master-Level program. Instruction includes safety, trade ethics, tools, theory, repair, and vehicle testing.

The common core includes Transportation Technology Principles, Introduction to Auto Mechanics, Communication Skills for Technicians, and Math for Technicians before specialty coursework begins.

Special emphasis is placed on diagnosing and repairing electronic and computer-control systems in late-model automobiles. Students also practice critical thinking, problem solving, and communication during diagnosis and repair.

After the core, students can move into chassis and drivetrain, chassis specialist, drivetrain specialist, engine performance, engine repair specialist, automotive electronics, or light-duty technician directions.

The current catalog lists 67 total required credits for Advanced Automotive Technology, including its major and general-education requirements.

Four-credit Introduction to Automotive Repair includes 36 lecture hours and 108 lab hours covering safety, tools, service procedures, and computerized repair information.

Alongside the automotive systems courses, the major requires Business Information Systems and Information Literacy or Introduction to PC Applications.

The Advanced Automotive Technology program offers industry-recognized Snap-on certifications.

Hartnell’s automotive page states that ASE testing is paused until further notice.

MPC lists an Automotive Technology Associate in Science, an Automotive Technology Certificate of Achievement, an Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair certificate, and an Emission Specialist certificate.

The page says MPC’s Automotive Technology program is nationally accredited at the highest level by the ASE Education Foundation for the automotive program.

MPC identifies Subaru University campus status and a Mercedes-Benz partnership as sources of manufacturer-specific training and industry certifications for students.

The 18-unit Maintenance and Light Repair certificate requires two units of AUTO 162, HVAC Trade Experience, or WORK 99. AUTO 162 includes 17 lecture and 51 lab hours covering basic automotive A/C service and professional repair skills.

CET identifies San Jose and Colton as campuses for the Automotive Specialist program. The San Jose route includes classroom instruction and access to a fully stocked auto repair garage for hands-on learning.

The program contains 810 hours of training. CET says students attending 30 hours each week usually complete it in seven to eight months, with open enrollment described on the program page.

San Jose students study fuel delivery, emissions control, diagnostics and tune-ups, brakes, steering and suspension, automotive theory, shop safety, and basic computer skills.

The program includes customer service and job preparation covering interviews, résumés, cover letters, and thank-you letters. CET says a Career Counselor assists graduates with these employment materials.

The career-track morning program meets four days weekly for five hours per day. Entry requires a special application and completion of prerequisites.

Evening courses meet two evenings per week in four-, eight-, or sixteen-week sessions; these courses require no special application or tools.

Skyline offers 60-unit A.S. degrees in Automotive Technology and Automotive Technician, with required and elective automotive classes plus general education.

The automotive internship program allows students to earn college credit while working for an employer during a semester.