Local Automotive Training Comparisons

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Cleveland Ranked For 2026

Compare 6 automotive school options within 50 miles of Cleveland. Compare credentials, costs, and program details alongside each institution’s location.

Ohio geographic illustration for the best auto mechanic schools in Cleveland guide
Ohio · Geographic Illustration
Schools Compared
6
Within 50 Miles
Annual Tuition From
$3,036
Institution-Wide · 2024–25
Ohio Median Pay
$48,710
Automotive Mechanics · May 2025
Ohio Employment
22,640
Occupation-Wide · BLS OEWS

Cleveland has five public campuses and one private campus in this comparison. The options range from nearby community colleges to technical and associate degree routes farther from the city point.

Cleveland has 5 public campuses and 1 private campus in this comparison. Cleveland includes public technical and community colleges alongside a private associate option near the city. The location lead is Cuyahoga Community College District at 1.2 straight-line miles, but Stark State College reports 124 awards, the most in the search. The search includes certificate and associate degree options.

Distances are straight-line estimates from a representative point in Cleveland 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 Ohio, not this city.

Compare The Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Cleveland

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
Ohio Technical CollegeCleveland, OH62
Stark State CollegeNorth Canton, OH$3,036124
Cuyahoga Community College DistrictParma, OH$3,818102
Polaris Career CenterMiddleburg Heights, OH14
Lorain County Joint Vocational School DistrictOberlin, OH7
Portage Lakes Career CenterHigh-School Students OnlyUniontown, OH3

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

Cleveland, OH · 3.0 Miles From Cleveland

Ohio Technical College

82.3Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePrivate for-profit

A Long Diploma Covering Performance And Alternative Fuels

Ohio Tech suits students seeking a dedicated technical diploma that extends into street-performance and alternative-fuel work alongside the standard repair systems.

Ohio Technical College’s Complete Automotive Technology diploma spans 60 weeks and 1,500 clock hours. It combines conventional vehicle service with street-performance and alternative-fuel technologies, while incorporating electrical and electronic training throughout the program. The automotive program holds ASE Education Foundation accreditation at the Master level.

Automotive Awards
62
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
90%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Diploma Length

Complete Automotive Technology is a 60-week, 1,500-clock-hour diploma program.

Program Accreditation

The automotive program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation at the Master Automotive Service Technician level.

Performance And Fuel Coverage

The curriculum includes automotive, street-performance, and alternative-fuel technologies, with fuel systems, chassis, and drivetrain work.

Electrical Integration

Ohio Tech incorporates some form of electricity and electronics training into every phase of the program.

Associate Degree Option

The college also offers an Associate of Applied Science route in automotive technology.

02

North Canton, OH · 43.8 Miles From Cleveland

Stark State College

65.4Score

CertificatePublic

A Two-Year Degree With Manufacturer And Specialty Electives

Stark State suits students who want certificate stages within an associate degree and room to add manufacturer-specific or specialized service training.

Stark State’s Automotive Technology AAS takes four full-time semesters in person. Students practice on late-model vehicles in two automotive facilities and can apply one-year or comprehensive certificate coursework toward the degree. Specialty electives include Honda PACT, Toyota T-TEN, Caterpillar lift trucks, driveline work, and aftermarket modifications.

Stark State College is 43.8 straight-line miles from Cleveland and offers certificate options across 124 awards. Annual institution tuition is $3,036 in state and $6,132 out of state. The 23% graduation rate is schoolwide.

Annual In-State Tuition
$3,036
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
124
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
23%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Degree Format

The Associate of Applied Science is an in-person, four-semester program when taken full time.

College Vehicle Fleet

Students use diagnostic equipment and a fleet of late-model vehicles in two automotive facilities, with domestic and import vehicles in the curriculum.

Specialty Choices

Electives include aftermarket modifications, transmission and driveline, Caterpillar lift truck, Honda PACT, and Toyota T-TEN.

Certificate Progression

The one-year and comprehensive automotive certificates contain classes that apply directly to the associate degree.

Program Accreditation

The automotive curriculum is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation and prepares students to pursue ASE certification.

03

Parma, OH · 1.2 Miles From ClevelandDistance Uses The Institution Record In Cleveland, OH

Cuyahoga Community College District

63.1Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

A Short Maintenance Certificate With A Defined Aid Limit

Tri-C suits students seeking a single-semester maintenance foundation who can cover this certificate without the financial-assistance funds excluded by its catalog.

Tri-C’s Automotive Maintenance and General Service certificate is a 12-credit, one-semester introduction to service work. Four three-credit courses cover service procedures, alignment and steering, brakes, and electrical fundamentals. The 2026–27 catalog says financial-assistance funds cannot be applied to this particular certificate.

Cuyahoga Community College District is 1.2 straight-line miles from Cleveland and offers certificate and associate degree options across 102 awards. Annual institution tuition is $3,818 in state and $7,109 out of state. The 31% graduation rate is schoolwide.

Annual In-State Tuition
$3,818
Institution-wide · 2024–25
Automotive Awards
102
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
31%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Certificate Length

The 2026–27 catalog lists 12 credits in one semester, divided among four three-credit automotive courses.

Technical Subjects

The required courses are Introduction to Automotive Service Procedures, Automotive Alignment, Steering and Suspension, Automotive Braking Systems, and Automotive Electrical Fundamentals.

Financial-Assistance Restriction

The catalog states that financial-assistance funds cannot be applied toward this certificate.

Credential Award

Tri-C automatically awards the certificate when its requirements are completed, unless the student opts out.

Related Degree

The catalog provides a progression route showing how these certificate credits apply to the related automotive degree.

04

Middleburg Heights, OH · 11.2 Miles From Cleveland

Polaris Career Center

49.1Score

CertificatePublic

Evening Training That Includes ADAS And Electrified Vehicles

Polaris suits adults seeking a 36-week evening program that covers newer driver-assistance and electrified-vehicle systems while preparing for entry-level automotive credentials.

Polaris Career Center’s adult Automotive Service Technician program combines 600 hours of evening training with ADAS and hybrid/electric-vehicle service. Its fall 2026 cohort meets four evenings each week and lists an $11,995 total program cost. Completion requires at least 90% attendance and a C average.

Automotive Awards
14
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
77%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Length And Evening Schedule

The 600-hour, 36-week program meets Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The fall 2026 cohort runs August 25, 2026 to approximately May 17, 2027.

Fall 2026 Cost

Polaris lists a total program cost of $11,995 for the fall 2026 evening program.

Newer Vehicle Systems

Training includes Advanced Driver Assistance Systems and hybrid/electric-vehicle service alongside conventional engines, transmissions, electrical systems, brakes, and HVAC.

Credential Preparation

Listed credentials include ASE Entry Level, ASE G1 Maintenance and Light Repair, Section 609 MACS, and OSHA 10-Hour General Industry for automotive work.

Completion Standards

Students need at least a C average (70%), at least 90% attendance, and payment of outstanding school obligations to complete the program.

05

Oberlin, OH · 31.5 Miles From Cleveland

Lorain County Joint Vocational School District

38.1Score

CertificatePublic

Three Evening Classes Each Week

Lorain County JVS suits adults looking for a 600-hour repair program concentrated into three weekly evenings, including learners using the Adult Workforce Diploma pathway.

Lorain County JVS Adult Career Center offers a 600-hour Automotive Service Technician program with a typical Monday-through-Wednesday evening schedule. Its 2026–27 pricing separates $6,675 tuition from a $225 textbook bundle. The program also qualifies for the center’s Adult Workforce Diploma pathway.

Automotive Awards
7
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
90%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Hours And Schedule

The program contains 600 hours. Typical classes meet Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 4 to 9:30 p.m.

2026–27 Costs

Published tuition is $6,675, with a separate $225 Modern Automotive Technology text/workbook bundle.

Diploma Pathway

Automotive Service Technician is eligible for the Adult Workforce Diploma pathway.

Systems And Certification Preparation

Classroom and practical training cover engines, transmissions, brakes, electronics, and HVAC, with preparation for ASE Entry-Level Certification.

Automotive Programs With Specific Eligibility Requirements

Uniontown, OH · 38.5 Miles From Cleveland

Portage Lakes Career Center

CertificatePublic

High-School Students Only

This Automotive Technology pathway is a full-time program for high-school juniors and seniors, with applications during sophomore year.

A Small High-School Class With Senior-Year Work Placement

This pathway fits eligible high-school students who want automotive training during junior and senior year and the possibility of earning school credit through a related job.

Portage Lakes Career Center’s current Automotive Technology pathway serves high-school juniors and seniors. Classes are limited to 20 students, with $100 annual program fees and a senior-year school-to-work placement option for eligible students. Training covers car and light-truck service, computerized diagnosis, and ASE student-certification subjects.

Automotive Awards
3
Certificates & degrees · 2023–24
Schoolwide Graduation
69%
Institution-wide · 150% time

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026
Who Can Enroll

The full-time program is for high-school juniors and seniors. Students can visit and apply during sophomore year.

Class Size And Fees

The program limits classes to 20 students and lists $100 in program fees each year.

Senior Work Placement

Seniors who meet requirements and receive an instructor recommendation can enter school-to-work job placement, earning school credit through related employment.

Diagnostic Practice

Students work on computer and electrical-system testing, front-wheel and four-wheel alignment, brake repairs, and service-data research using computer terminals.

Student Credentials

Listed ASE student-certification subjects include brakes, steering/suspension, electrical/electronic systems, engine performance, and maintenance/light repair.

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Cleveland

The closest campus and the largest award total are different measures. Cuyahoga Community College District sits 1.2 straight-line miles from Cleveland. Stark State College reports the most awards, with 124. The schools include certificate and associate degree routes; straight-line distance is a map measure, not a driving estimate.

This market includes close and longer-distance options with different tuition categories. Stark State College lists $3,036 in state and $6,132 out of state. Cuyahoga Community College District lists $3,818 in state and $7,109 out of state. Schools with both residency categories show separate in-state and out-of-state tuition.

Different campuses serve different plans here, from short certificates to associate degree study. Stark State College offers certificate options at 43.8 straight-line miles; Cuyahoga Community College District offers certificate and associate degree options at 1.2 straight-line miles; Ohio Technical College offers certificate and associate degree options at 3 straight-line miles. 2 nearby schools offer an associate degree. Credential and campus remain the local measures, with the statewide wage as background.

Auto Mechanic Pay In Ohio

The May 2025 BLS survey reports a $48,710 median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Ohio, across 22,640 jobs. The median is the midpoint for the occupation, not an offer to new graduates.

10th Percentile
$34,110
Median
$48,710
90th Percentile
$79,690

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.

Cleveland Auto Mechanic School Questions

What Is The May 2025 Wage Reference For Cleveland?
The May 2025 BLS OEWS median for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Ohio is $48,710. The middle figure is a statewide occupation measure, with the 10th percentile at $34,110 and the 90th percentile at $79,690.
Which Campus Is Closest To Cleveland?
Cuyahoga Community College District is 1.2 straight-line miles from Cleveland and shows 102 awards across certificate and associate degree credentials. Its schoolwide graduation rate is 31%.
Which School Has The Most Listed Awards Near Cleveland?
Stark State College lists $3,036 in annual in-state institution tuition and $6,132 out of state. It also shows 124 awards in the Cleveland 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.

Continue Comparing Auto Mechanic Schools