Local Automotive Training Comparisons

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Denver Ranked For 2026

Compare 7 automotive school options within 50 miles of Denver. Compare credentials, costs, and program details alongside each institution’s location.

Colorado geographic illustration for the best auto mechanic schools in Denver guide
Colorado · Geographic Illustration
Schools Compared
7
Within 50 Miles
Annual Tuition From
$3,120
Institution-Wide · 2024–25
Colorado Median Pay
$61,280
Automotive Mechanics · May 2025
Colorado Employment
12,300
Occupation-Wide · BLS OEWS

The local map separates convenience, award scope, and tuition. If you are comparing the best auto mechanic schools in Denver, this search covers 7 nearby school options. The May 2025 BLS OEWS median wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $61,280 statewide in Colorado.

Denver has 6 public campuses and 1 private campus in this comparison. Denver places a close private campus beside public colleges in Westminster and Greeley. Lincoln College of Technology-Denver gives you the shortest straight-line distance at 1.7 miles, and Front Range Community College reports the most awards, with 302. The available routes include certificate and associate degree options.

Distances are straight-line estimates from a representative point in Denver to each institution’s federally reported location. They measure geographic proximity, not driving time or the location of every teaching site. Salary figures below describe Colorado, not this city.

Compare The Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Denver

Ranked schools receive a comparison score from automotive credential awards (50%), annual institution-wide tuition (30%), and schoolwide graduation rate (20%). These measures help compare reported scale, cost, and institutional completion. Read The Full Ranking Method.

SchoolLocationAnnual In-State TuitionAutomotive Awards
Lincoln College of Technology-DenverDenver, CO207
Emily Griffith Technical CollegeDenver, CO48
Aims Community CollegeGreeley, CO$3,120240
Front Range Community CollegeWestminster, CO$4,058302
Pickens Technical CollegeAurora, CO$4,11053
Arapahoe Community CollegeLittleton, CO$4,05875
Red Rocks Community CollegeAdult Entry Paused During Program RefreshLakewood, CO$4,0583

Tuition is the institution’s annual undergraduate figure for 2024–25, excluding fees, tools, housing, and other expenses. Awards are credentials reported in 2023–24, not a count of unique graduates. Blank cells indicate an omitted measure.

01

Denver, CO · 1.7 Miles From Denver

Lincoln College of Technology-Denver

92.1Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePrivate for-profit

Three Schedules In A Large Denver Training Facility

Lincoln Tech Denver fits you if you need day, afternoon, or evening attendance and want a diploma centered on diagnostic repair, with a separate service-management route on the same campus.

Lincoln Tech's Denver campus offers a 55-credit Automotive Service Technology diploma with day, afternoon, and evening schedules planned for about 57 weeks. The curriculum covers engine performance, electrical systems, diagnostics, drivetrain, heating and air conditioning, and steering and suspension. Denver also offers Automotive Service Management Technology and Mopar CAP training, with instruction in a 60-bay, 18-lift facility.

Automotive Awards
207
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
71%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
55-Credit Diploma

The Denver Automotive Service Technology diploma totals 55 semester credit hours and 1,320 instructional hours. Lincoln estimates approximately 57 weeks to complete the day, afternoon, or evening schedule.

Diagnostic Curriculum

The diploma objective covers testing, diagnosis, replacement, repair, and adjustment of mechanical, electronic, hydraulic, and accessory systems. Named subjects include engines, electrical systems, drivetrains, HVAC, and suspension.

Denver Campus Equipment

Lincoln's Denver campus page identifies 60 bays and 18 lifts, plus engine and chassis dynamometers. The campus address is 11194 East 45th Avenue in Denver.

Manufacturer Options

The Denver campus offers Mopar Career Automotive Program training. Lincoln also identifies Tesla START technician training at Denver, a separate 16-week opportunity for students accepted into that partnership.

02

Denver, CO · 5.7 Miles From Denver

Emily Griffith Technical College

77.7Score

CertificatePublic

Short Vehicle-Repair Program With Transfer Credit

Emily Griffith suits you if you want a concentrated vehicle-maintenance program with a part-time evening option and a stated transfer route into Front Range's automotive associate degree.

Emily Griffith Technical College's Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies program is a full-time five-month or part-time ten-month route at its Branch Campus. The published cost is $8,500, and the schedule includes daytime and evening options. Emily Griffith says 38 credits will likely transfer to Front Range Community College toward an Automotive Technology AAS.

Automotive Awards
48
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
97%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Program Length And Cost

The program takes five months full time or ten months part time. Emily Griffith lists the current program cost as $8,500 and says the program is eligible for financial aid.

Flexible Weekly Schedule

Full-time classes run Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Part-time options include morning, afternoon, and evening blocks, with the evening route running from 5 to 9 p.m.

Branch Campus Location

Courses meet at Emily Griffith's Branch Campus in Denver.

Front Range Transfer Route

Emily Griffith says 38 of the program's credits will likely transfer to Front Range Community College toward an Associate of Applied Science in Automotive Technology.

03

Greeley, CO · 45.2 Miles From Denver

Aims Community College

75.7Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Stackable Certificates Alongside A 78-Credit AAS

Aims fits you if you want to start with one automotive system, collect shorter credentials, and keep those certificates connected to a full associate degree.

Aims Community College's Master Automobile Service Technology pathway combines a 78-credit Associate of Applied Science at the Windsor Campus with 12 automotive certificates. The certificate menu covers core technician work, including transmissions, brakes, steering, and electrical systems. Individual classes add engine diagnosis, braking, wiring, emissions, suspension, and shop-safety training, giving you several ways to build toward the degree.

Aims Community College is 45.2 straight-line miles from Denver and offers certificate and associate degree options across 240 awards. Annual institution tuition is $3,120 in state and $11,496 out of state. The 40% graduation rate is schoolwide.

Annual In-State Tuition
$3,120
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
240
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
40%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Degree And Certificate Menu

The Master Automobile Service Technology degree is an Associate of Applied Science requiring 78 credits at the Windsor Campus. Aims also lists 12 automotive certificates that can begin a route toward the degree.

Core Service Systems

The Automotive Service Technician certificate teaches core systems and repair work in transmissions, brakes, steering, and electrical systems while omitting the associate degree's general-education requirements.

Diagnostic And Shop Courses

Published courses cover shop safety, equipment care, brake diagnosis and repair, electrical theory and wiring, engine diagnosis, fuel and emissions systems, and suspension and steering service.

Windsor Campus Costs

The degree page places the program at the Windsor Campus and lists estimated lab and course fees of $1,924. It separately publishes institution tuition figures, so the lab estimate is the program-specific cost shown here.

04

Westminster, CO · 12.7 Miles From Denver

Front Range Community College

70.1Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Two Campuses And Eleven Certificate Choices

Front Range fits you if you want to compare a full associate degree with certificates that narrow the focus to brakes, engines, electrical systems, transmissions, or other repair areas.

Front Range Community College offers a 70-credit, four-semester AAS at Larimer and Westminster, plus 11 shorter certificates. The degree covers engines, drivetrains, brakes, steering, electronics, HVAC, fuel, ignition, and emissions. You can also choose a 27-credit entry-level certificate or a 54-credit comprehensive certificate if you want more automotive coursework with fewer general-education classes.

Front Range Community College is 12.7 straight-line miles from Denver and offers certificate and associate degree options across 302 awards. Annual institution tuition is $4,058 in state and $16,658 out of state. The 35% graduation rate is schoolwide.

Annual In-State Tuition
$4,058
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
302
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
35%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
AAS Credits And Locations

The Automotive Technology AAS requires 70 credits over four semesters and is offered at the Larimer and Westminster campuses. The degree addresses mechanical and electronic equipment in modern automobiles.

Eleven Shorter Certificates

Certificate choices include comprehensive and entry-level service technician, general maintenance and repair, transmission, brakes, electrical and electronics, engine performance, engine repair, HVAC, manual drivetrain, and suspension and steering.

Comprehensive Certificate

The Comprehensive Automotive Technician Certificate requires 54 credits over four semesters and includes nearly all automotive classes in the AAS. It leaves one general-education elective, with additional general education needed for the degree.

Master Technician Instructors

Front Range says its instructors are ASE-Certified Master Automotive Technicians with professional experience. The program uses hands-on teaching with state-of-the-art equipment, and the college does not perform public vehicle work.

05

Aurora, CO · 5.5 Miles From Denver

Pickens Technical College

69.0Score

CertificatePublic

Half-Day Classes With Internship And Industry Add-Ons

Pickens suits you if you want a structured four-semester schedule, equal classroom and shop time, and an internship built into a broad Master Automotive Service Technician curriculum.

Pickens Technical College's Master Automotive Service Technician program runs four semesters with morning or afternoon weekday blocks. The 58-credit, NATEF-certified curriculum divides time between classroom concepts and shop practice, includes an off-site internship, and prepares students for ASE student certification. Students can also earn industry certificates in safety, alignment, Ford, Subaru, and Snap-On systems.

Annual In-State Tuition
$4,110
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
53
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
76%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Four-Semester Schedule

The Master Automotive Service Technician program runs four semesters. Pickens lists morning classes from 8:40 to 11:30 and afternoon classes from 12:10 to 3:00, Monday through Friday.

NATEF And ASE Preparation

Pickens describes the program as NATEF certified and says students experience all eight automotive specialty areas while preparing for ASE testing and certification.

Classroom And Shop Balance

Students spend 50% of their time learning concepts in class and 50% doing hands-on work in a simulated shop with industry-grade equipment. An off-site internship is part of the curriculum.

Industry Certificates

The program lists additional opportunities including SP/2 safety certificates, Ford Service Online Training, Hunter Alignment, Snap-On Certification, and Subaru Web-Based Training.

06

Littleton, CO · 12.9 Miles From Denver

Arapahoe Community College

58.4Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Apprenticeship And Manufacturer Tracks

Arapahoe fits you if you want an AAS tied to paid or dealership-based work, with a choice between a general apprenticeship and manufacturer-specific training.

Arapahoe Community College's Automotive Service Technology AAS totals 79 credits and combines general education with a long technical sequence. You can enter through ATEC's general apprenticeship or a manufacturer-linked track such as GM ASEP, Honda PACT, Mopar CAP, or Subaru University. Each route includes hands-on or web-based training, and the college requires an apprenticeship position for the degree tracks.

Annual In-State Tuition
$4,058
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
75
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
29%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
79-Credit AAS

The Automotive Service Technology AAS lists 16 credits of general education and 63 credits of major courses, for a 79-credit total. The technical sequence includes brakes, engines, drivetrains, electronics, HVAC, and diagnosis.

ATEC Apprenticeship

ATEC lets degree-seeking students obtain an apprenticeship with a dealership or independent repair facility. Incoming freshmen may begin in summer, fall, or spring and must maintain the apprenticeship during the program.

Manufacturer Tracks

ACC lists GM ASEP, Honda PACT, Mopar CAP, and Subaru University among its corporate-sponsored tracks. These require a manufacturer-dealership apprenticeship and include web-based technician training.

Admission Screening

Applicants must be admitted to ACC and pass an industry-standard motor-vehicle-record, criminal-background, and urinalysis review. The college also requires a clean driving record and valid driver's license because students drive customer vehicles.

Automotive Programs With Paused Admissions

Lakewood, CO · 14.6 Miles From Denver

Red Rocks Community College

Associate DegreePublic

Adult Entry Paused During Program Refresh

Red Rocks says the program is currently being refreshed and redesigned, with adult participants welcomed in the future. The page directs high school students to continue through Warren Tech or other participating high schools.

High-School Pathway During Adult Program Refresh

The listed credentials show the program's intended scope, but the current page directs high school students to Warren Tech or participating schools while adult participation is being refreshed.

Red Rocks Community College lists a 76-credit Automotive Service Technology AAS, a 20-credit Auto Service Technician certificate, a 23-credit Master Auto Service Technician certificate, and Maintenance Light Repair. The current page says the program is being refreshed and redesigned: high school students may continue through Warren Tech or participating schools, while adult participation is planned for a future reopening.

Annual In-State Tuition
$4,058
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
3
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
32%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Four Credential Choices

The program page lists Auto Service Technician at 20 credits, Automotive Service Technology AAS at 76 credits, Maintenance Light Repair, and Master Auto Service Technician at 23 credits.

National Certification

Red Rocks describes the program as nationally certified through NATEF. It says instructors are ASE Certified Technicians and that demonstrated mastery of skills is required.

Technician Career Coverage

The page names possible directions including emissions analysis and repair, retail service, industrial repair, service writing, advising, shop management, fleet management, and parts management.

Current Program Status

Red Rocks says the Automotive Technology program is being refreshed and redesigned. The page identifies high school exploration through Warren Tech or participating high schools while that work continues.

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Denver

The wage is state context; campus and credential facts determine the school comparison. Lincoln College of Technology-Denver sits 1.7 straight-line miles from Denver. Front Range Community College reports the most awards, with 302. The schools include certificate and associate degree routes; straight-line distance is a map measure, not a driving estimate.

A careful comparison keeps the map, the award type, and the annual bill in the same comparison. Front Range Community College lists $4,058 in state and $16,658 out of state. Aims Community College lists $3,120 in state and $11,496 out of state. Arapahoe Community College lists $4,058 in state and $16,658 out of state. Schools with both residency categories show separate in-state and out-of-state tuition. Those numbers show why annual tuition is only one part of a city budget.

A useful comparison keeps the city campus, the outlying campus, and the credential plan in view. Front Range Community College offers certificate and associate degree options at 12.7 straight-line miles; Aims Community College offers certificate and associate degree options at 45.2 straight-line miles; Lincoln College of Technology-Denver offers certificate and associate degree options at 1.7 straight-line miles. 5 nearby schools offer an associate degree.

Auto Mechanic Pay In Colorado

The May 2025 BLS survey reports a $61,280 median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Colorado, across 12,300 jobs. The median is the midpoint for the occupation, not an offer to new graduates.

10th Percentile
$39,550
Median
$61,280
90th Percentile
$93,830

Experience, employer, and the work you do affect where you fall in that spread. Explore Auto Mechanic Salaries.

School Credentials And ASE Certification

A college certificate is an academic credential; professional ASE certification requires passing the relevant ASE test and satisfying its work experience rule. For the A1–A9 automobile tests, that rule is two years of qualifying repair experience. You can take most tests before completing the experience requirement, but passing alone does not make you certified.

Completing an ASE-accredited automotive program can count for one year of that experience. An eligible ASE-accredited manufacturer co-op program can count for the full two years when it includes the required hands-on work. These substitutions cannot be combined. Source: ASE Work Experience Rules.

Our certificate and associate degree comparison explains the academic routes, while the ASE certification guide covers professional credentials. The school cost guide separates tuition, fees, and tools.

Denver Auto Mechanic School Questions

What Is The May 2025 Wage Reference For Denver?
The May 2025 BLS OEWS median for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Colorado is $61,280. The middle figure is a statewide occupation measure, with the 10th percentile at $39,550 and the 90th percentile at $93,830.
Which Campus Is Closest To Denver?
Lincoln College of Technology-Denver is 1.7 straight-line miles from Denver and shows 207 awards across certificate and associate degree credentials. Its schoolwide graduation rate is 71%.
Which School Has The Most Listed Awards Near Denver?
Front Range Community College lists $4,058 in annual in-state institution tuition and $16,658 out of state. It also shows 302 awards in the Denver comparison.

Sources For These School Comparisons

School records and program sources checked September 8, 2026. Federal figures retain their original reporting years; program details cite the school’s published requirements and costs. Send A Correction.

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