State School Rankings

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Nevada Ranked For 2026

Explore 5 automotive schools in Nevada, with certificate and degree options, tuition, and facts about automotive training.

Nevada geographic illustration for the best auto mechanic schools in Nevada guide
Nevada · Geographic Illustration
Schools Compared
5
Across The State
Annual Tuition From
$2,970
Institution-Wide · 2024–25
Nevada Median Pay
$48,290
Automotive Mechanics · May 2025
Nevada Employment
7,420
Occupation-Wide · BLS OEWS

The best auto mechanic schools in Nevada include five schools and nine automotive programs. The state figures report 297 awards in 2023-24. Nevada's May 2025 BLS OEWS median wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $48,290.

Western Nevada College in Carson City reports a 41% schoolwide graduation rate, $3,713 annual in-state tuition, and eight awards across certificates and associate degrees. Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno reports a 32% rate, $2,970 tuition, and 19 awards. College of Southern Nevada reports 40 awards and a 19% schoolwide rate at $3,713 tuition.

Compare The Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Nevada

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
Advanced Training InstituteLas Vegas, NV128
United Education Institute-Las VegasLas Vegas, NV102
College of Southern NevadaLas Vegas, NV$3,71340
Truckee Meadows Community CollegeReno, NV$2,97019
Western Nevada CollegeCarson City, NV$3,7138

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

Las Vegas, NV

Advanced Training Institute

89.8Score

CertificatePrivate for-profit

Four-Day Schedule And A Graduation Tool Kit

ATI suits a student who needs a choice of daily schedules in Las Vegas and wants manufacturer training, refrigerant certification, and a tool kit included on completing the diploma.

Advanced Training Institute’s Las Vegas automotive diploma takes 1,200 clock hours and can be completed in 14 months. Morning, afternoon, and evening schedules meet approximately five hours per day Monday through Thursday. Students train through ATI’s Mopar CAP partnership, prepare for emissions-inspection work, and receive a tool kit at graduation.

Automotive Awards
128
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
1,200-Hour Diploma

ATI lists 1,200 clock hours in a traditional classroom program completed in as few as 14 months at its Las Vegas campus.

Morning, Afternoon, Or Evening

Classes meet approximately five hours a day Monday through Thursday, with morning, afternoon, and evening schedule options.

Manufacturer Training

The program partners with Mopar Career Automotive Program and includes exposure to Ford vehicle systems and diagnostic approaches.

Emissions And Refrigerant Credentials

Engine Performance II includes preparation for Nevada’s 1G emissions-inspector credential. ATI also states that students earn Section 609 refrigerant certification during the program.

Tool Kit At Graduation

Graduates receive a tool kit upon completing the Automotive Technology diploma.

02

Las Vegas, NV

United Education Institute-Las Vegas

80.8Score

CertificatePrivate for-profit

Ten Month Hybrid Automotive Diploma

UEI fits you if you want a short Las Vegas program with online lessons, campus shop practice, a published nine-module sequence, and explicit coverage of hybrid systems alongside conventional repair.

UEI College’s Las Vegas Automotive Technician program is a 10-month hybrid diploma with nine course modules. Online learning is paired with hands-on work in the campus auto lab, covering engine systems, electrical diagnosis, drivability, fuel and emissions, steering and suspension, brakes, manual and automatic transmissions, and hybrid technology.

Automotive Awards
102
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
53%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Ten Month Hybrid Format

The Las Vegas Automotive Technician diploma uses a hybrid format over approximately 10 months, with nine course modules.

Engine Electrical And Fuel

Course modules cover engine theory and systems, electrical theory and diagnosis, engine performance and ignition, and fuel systems and emission control, including scan-test and diagnostic-tool work.

Chassis And Transmission Modules

The sequence includes steering, suspension and passenger comfort, brake systems, manual transmissions, and automatic transmissions, with wheel alignment, braking, disassembly, and reassembly topics named in the module descriptions.

Enrollment Requirement

The Las Vegas automotive program requires a high school diploma or equivalent for enrollment.

03

Las Vegas, NV

College of Southern Nevada

49.4Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Eight ASE Exam Areas And A Full Associate Degree

CSN suits students seeking broad automotive preparation taught by ASE Master Certified technicians. Its required advanced diagnostics and powertrain coursework sit alongside communication, human-relations, and science requirements, making it a substantial applied associate degree.

College of Southern Nevada’s 74-credit Automotive Technology Master Technician AAS combines 52 major credits with 22 in general education. ASE Master Certified technicians teach the program, which prepares students for all eight ASE automobile certification exams. Required courses progress into advanced electronics, engine-performance diagnostics, and powertrain removal and replacement, while college-level math and English must begin early in the degree.

Annual In-State Tuition
$3,713
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
40
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
19%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
74-Credit Applied Degree

The 2026–2027 catalog requires 74 credits for the Master Technician AAS, divided into 52 major credits and 22 general-education credits.

ASE Master Certified Instructors

All instruction is provided by ASE Master Certified technicians. Program outcomes include preparation for ASE automobile exams A1 through A8.

Advanced Required Repair Courses

The major requires Advanced Automotive Electronics, three Engine Performance courses culminating in diagnostics, and Power Train Removal and Replacement alongside the core service subjects.

Early Math And English Requirements

Students must complete their first college-level math and English courses before reaching 30 total college-level credits. The degree also requires communication, human-relations, and natural-science coursework.

04

Reno, NV

Truckee Meadows Community College

44.9Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Four-Semester Diagnostic Foundation

TMCC fits you if you want an ASE-aligned AAS with a defined four-semester progression, substantial systems coursework, and room for hybrid, alternative-fuel, or internship experience.

Truckee Meadows Community College’s Automotive Certified Technician AAS totals 62 to 64 units across four semesters. The plan starts with general mechanics, two automotive electricity courses, safety, and technical communications, then adds engine repair, brakes, steering, engine performance, and electrical systems. Later electives include alternative-fuel vehicles, hybrid service, and an automotive internship.

Annual In-State Tuition
$2,970
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
19
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
32%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
62 To 64 Unit AAS

The catalog’s recommended schedule totals 62 to 64 units for the Automotive Certified Technician Associate of Applied Science degree at TMCC.

Four Semester Sequence

The plan begins with Introduction to General Mechanics, Automotive Electricity I and II, General Industry Safety, and Technical Communications before advancing to engine repair, brakes, steering, and performance courses in the later terms.

Alternative Vehicle Electives

Students select seven to nine elective units from options including alternative-fuel vehicles, hybrid vehicle service, HVAC, drivetrains, advanced engine performance, and an internship. Hybrid and alternative-fuel courses are electives.

Automotive Internship

AUTO 290 Automotive Internship Level I appears in the catalog’s advanced course choices, allowing students to add workplace experience to the technical degree plan.

05

Carson City, NV

Western Nevada College

34.6Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Stackable System Certificates

WNC fits you if you want to build automotive training one system at a time, with each certificate combining lab work, technical theory, and a focused set of named AUTO courses.

Western Nevada College organizes Automotive Mechanics around skill certificates, each pairing classroom instruction with a lab. The current page names transmission and transaxle, heating and air conditioning, brakes, electrical systems, steering and suspension, and engine performance certificates. Required courses repeatedly build from general mechanics, electricity, and safety into the chosen system.

Annual In-State Tuition
$3,713
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
8
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
41%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
System Certificate Options

WNC lists certificates in Automotive Transmission and Transaxle, Heating and Air Conditioning, Brakes, Electrical and Electronic Systems, Steering and Suspension, and Engine Performance.

Classroom And Lab

The college says every course has a lab and classroom component, allowing students to work on technical knowledge and practical system skills together.

Transmission Sequence

The 14-unit transmission and transaxle certificate includes Introduction to General Mechanics, Auto Electricity and Electronics I, Manual Drivetrain and Axles, Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles I, and General Industry Safety.

Credential Preparation

WNC says third-party industry-recognized credentials can be earned throughout the program, while noting that most certification exams carry a separate fee.

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Nevada

Nevada's 297 awards are distributed across nine programs, with Western Nevada, Truckee Meadows, and College of Southern Nevada each showing certificates and associate degrees. Their annual in-state tuition figures run from $2,970 to $3,713 in the reports. The actual course plan and practical requirements distinguish routes with similar tuition figures.

Nevada's five-school set gives you a compact urban and regional comparison. Western Nevada College offers a broad certificate and associate's credentials mix. Truckee Meadows Community College reports the lower published annual in-state tuition of the three named examples and 19 awards. College of Southern Nevada reports 40 awards and the same $3,713 tuition as Western Nevada College. Their schoolwide graduation rates differ. The figures provide institution context for support and completion rather than a program guarantee.

The 297 statewide awards make each school more useful than a vague state average. Credential, annual tuition, campus access, and practical training distinguish the routes, while online coursework can support theory without replacing vehicle practice. The online training guide covers that distinction.

Auto Mechanic Pay In Nevada

The May 2025 BLS survey reports a $48,290 median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Nevada, across 7,420 jobs. The median is the midpoint for the occupation, not an offer to new graduates.

10th Percentile
$33,500
Median
$48,290
90th Percentile
$81,180

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.

Nevada Auto Mechanic School Questions

What Is The May 2025 Nevada Wage Median?
The May 2025 BLS OEWS median for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Nevada is $48,290. The middle figure is a statewide occupation measure, with the 10th percentile at $33,500 and the 90th percentile at $81,180.
Where Does Nevada Report Associate Degree Awards?
College of Southern Nevada (certificate and associate degree, 40 awards), Truckee Meadows Community College (certificate and associate degree, 19 awards), Western Nevada College (certificate and associate degree, 8 awards) show associate degree credentials among the published school figures.
How Many Automotive Awards Are Reported In Nevada?
The Nevada schools span certificate and associate degree credentials across 9 automotive options and 297 awards in 2023-24. Advanced Training Institute has the largest listed award count at 128. Truckee Meadows Community College lists $2,970 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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