State School Rankings

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Indiana Ranked For 2026

Explore 3 automotive schools in Indiana, with certificate and degree options, tuition, and facts about automotive training.

Indiana geographic illustration for the best auto mechanic schools in Indiana guide
Indiana · Geographic Illustration
Schools Compared
3
Across The State
Annual Tuition From
$5,154
Institution-Wide · 2024–25
Indiana Median Pay
$49,360
Automotive Mechanics · May 2025
Indiana Employment
16,480
Occupation-Wide · BLS OEWS

The best auto mechanic schools in Indiana are concentrated in three schools and eight automotive programs. The programs report 869 awards in 2023-24. Indiana's May 2025 BLS OEWS median wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $49,360.

Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis reports 729 awards, a 40% schoolwide graduation rate, $5,154 annual in-state tuition, and certificate plus associate degrees. Vincennes University reports 24 awards, a 39% schoolwide rate, $6,551 tuition, and the same two broad award types. Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis reports 57% schoolwide graduation and several certificates and associate degrees.

Compare The Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Indiana

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-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN116
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis, IN$5,154729
Vincennes UniversityVincennes, IN$6,55124

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

Indianapolis, IN

Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis

83.7Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePrivate for-profit

Service And Management AAS

This route fits a student who wants technician training alongside customer service, business, and service-operation skills, with multiple schedule choices at the Indianapolis campus.

Lincoln Tech’s Indianapolis Automotive Service Management Technology AAS combines hands-on vehicle service with shop operations and customer service. The program lists 70 credits, 1,545 instructional hours, and about 83 weeks, with day, afternoon, and evening schedules. Coursework covers mechanical, electronic, hydraulic, and accessory systems plus hybrid vehicles and service communication.

Automotive Awards
116
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
57%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Length And Delivery

The Indianapolis AAS requires 70 semester credits and 1,545 instructional hours. Lincoln Tech lists approximately 83 weeks to complete the program and offers day, afternoon, and evening schedules with on-campus hands-on instruction plus some online coursework.

Technical Systems

Students learn to test, diagnose, replace, repair, and adjust mechanical, electronic, hydraulic, and accessory systems on current automobiles. Published objectives include engines, transmissions, brakes, electrical components, alignments, suspension, and preventive maintenance.

Diagnostics And Hybrids

The curriculum uses industry-standard diagnostic tools and covers computerized engine management, fuel, ignition and emissions controls, manufacturer guidelines, technical manuals, and the basics of alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles.

Service Operations

Alongside repair skills, students study professionalism, time management, problem-solving, customer communication, cost estimates, and service operations. Lincoln Tech presents these skills as preparation for work with dealerships, fleets, tire and lube centers, and specialty shops.

Safety And Certification

The program objective includes safety protocols, personal protection, hazardous-material handling, and preventive maintenance. The published learning objectives also say the program prepares students for Automotive Service Excellence certification exams.

02

Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College

67.3Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Multi-Location Automotive Pathways

This is a strong fit if you want a statewide public-college route, a manufacturer-specific GM or Toyota option, or a shorter certificate that stacks toward the AAS.

Ivy Tech offers a standard Automotive Technology AAS across 10 Indiana locations, plus GM ASEP and Toyota T-TEN AAS routes. The standard degree is 60 credits over five semesters and combines high-tech vehicle diagnostics with electrical systems, engine performance, transmissions, brakes, steering, suspension, air conditioning, and engine repair.

Annual In-State Tuition
$5,154
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
729
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
40%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
AAS Structure

The standard Automotive Technology AAS requires 60 credit hours over five semesters. Ivy Tech also lists a 69-credit GM ASEP AAS and a 60-credit Toyota T-TEN AAS, each with a five-semester length.

Teaching Locations

The standard AAS is offered at 10 locations: Evansville, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Kokomo, Lafayette, Lake County at East Chicago, Muncie, Sellersburg, South Bend, and Terre Haute.

Vehicle Diagnostics

Students learn to operate, diagnose, and repair high-tech vehicles with diagnostic and repair equipment. The page specifically includes newer automobiles, hybrid and alternative-fueled vehicles, and heavy diesel trucks.

Core Systems

The published career areas include electrical systems, engine performance, transmissions, brakes, steering and suspension systems, air conditioning systems, and engine repair.

Stackable Certificates

Ivy Tech lists Automotive Service Technology as a 34-credit technical certificate completed in two to three semesters. Short-term options include Electric and Hybrid Vehicle, Maintenance and Light Repair, and Light Duty Diesel certificates.

Published Cost

The standard AAS is listed at $10,703, while the GM ASEP AAS is listed at $12,308. The page also lists $6,065 for the Automotive Service Technology technical certificate.

03

Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University

37.9Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

One-Year Basic Skills Certificate

This program fits a student seeking a compact first credential in chassis, engine, and electrical systems with a published continuation route into advanced automotive study.

Vincennes University’s Automotive Service Technology Certificate, C.G. is an intensive one-year program at the Vincennes campus. The published emphasis is on chassis, engine, and electrical systems, with small classes and a stated path to advanced placement in the university’s Automotive Technology 8030 ASCT degree.

Annual In-State Tuition
$6,551
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
24
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
39%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Program Length

Vincennes describes the Automotive Service Technology Certificate as an intensive one-year program at the Vincennes campus. The stated objective is preparation for gainful employment as a basic skill-level automotive technician.

Systems Emphasis

The certificate emphasizes chassis systems, engine systems, and electrical systems. Vincennes presents these areas as the technical foundation for entry-level automotive service work.

Class Format

The university says small class sizes let students participate fully in activities and discussions and seek extra help when needed. The page positions that format alongside academic and social support systems.

Continuation Route

Graduates of the certificate may receive advanced placement into Vincennes University’s Automotive Technology 8030 ASCT degree program at the Vincennes campus, creating a direct step into more advanced automotive training.

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Indiana

Ivy Tech accounts for a large share of Indiana's automotive credential awards. Ivy Tech Community College holds the largest reported award count in the state's automotive programs, while Vincennes University gives you another institution-level comparison with a $6,551 annual tuition figure. Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis reports a 57% schoolwide rate and 116 awards. The three schools do not represent one identical credential plan: Lincoln's credentials include a longer certificate and associate's options, while Ivy Tech's programs include short and longer certificates alongside an associate degree.

The pathway guide explains why school coursework and shop experience work together.

Auto Mechanic Pay In Indiana

The May 2025 BLS survey reports a $49,360 median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Indiana, across 16,480 jobs. The median is the midpoint for the occupation, not an offer to new graduates.

10th Percentile
$35,800
Median
$49,360
90th Percentile
$78,580

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.

Indiana Auto Mechanic School Questions

What Is The May 2025 Indiana Wage Median?
The May 2025 BLS OEWS median for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Indiana is $49,360. The middle figure is a statewide occupation measure, with the 10th percentile at $35,800 and the 90th percentile at $78,580.
Where Does Indiana Report Associate Degree Awards?
Ivy Tech Community College (certificate and associate degree, 729 awards), Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis (certificate and associate degree, 116 awards), Vincennes University (certificate and associate degree, 24 awards) show associate degree credentials among the published school figures.
How Many Automotive Awards Are Reported In Indiana?
The Indiana schools span certificate and associate degree credentials across 8 automotive options and 869 awards in 2023-24. Ivy Tech Community College has the largest listed award count at 729. Ivy Tech Community College lists $5,154 in annual in-state institution tuition.

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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