If we’ve learned anything from the TV show “Community ,” it’s that community college is an interesting place. You’ll earn an associate degree, but—if the show is to be believed—you might also play paintball for two days , and go home with a vaguely unsettling feeling that your Spanish professor is a maniac .

OK, maybe we’re not living in the world of “Community” (at least, not in this timeline ). But community college is still a great way to earn a degree, especially in a technical field such as maintenance technology.

I researched maintenance technology programs in community colleges around the country, and chose the list below based on a few criteria. They each had to offer:

• An associate degree or certificate in maintenance technology
• Flexible scheduling options
• Opportunities for real-world experience

Before we take a deep dive into the contestants, let’s take a look at why you should consider a community college program in the first place.

Pros and Cons of Community College Maintenance Technology Programs

ProsConsCredits are easy to transfer to a university.Student life can run a little dry (unless you go to Greendale ).You get hands-on experience .You might miss out on a traditional college experience.Course schedules are more flexible. There’s a stigma that community college is not as prestigious as university.Because classes are smaller, they can be more student-focused.Tuition is cheaper than a four-year university.

Community college gives you the ability to plan school around your life, rather than the other way around. And with more flexibility, you can focus on classes that are geared toward placing you in a good job.

Community college programs that provide more opportunities for real-life experience are also a great way to get a head-start in your field. And, they’re perfect for transitioning from high school to the workforce.

So, let’s say you’ve weighed the pros and cons, and you’ve determined that a community college maintenance technology program is for you. Now, let’s take a look at some of your options.

Community college maintenance technology programs

1. Virginia Western Community College

Location: Roanoke, Virginia

Size: 8,362 students

Tuition:

• In-state: $4,174 per year
• Out-of-state: $9,624 per year

Degrees:

• Mechanical Engineering Associate Degree

Certificates:

• Maintenance Technician Certificate (18 credits)

Virginia Western offers both a traditional education track as well as a separate grant program that will not only help you earn a certificate, but gives you actual experience working in the field. It also offers weekend classes and virtual lectures, so you can schedule college around your life.

Virginia Western Community College’s Center for Science and Health Professions, located in Roanoke, Virginia

2. Somerset Community College

Location: Somerset, Kentucky

Size: 6,410 students

Tuition:

• In-state: $3,624 per year
• Out-of-state: $12,456 per year

Degrees:

• Industrial Maintenance Technician (48-53 credit hours)
• Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in industrial maintenance technology (60-68 credit hours)

Somerset College allows you to customize your program to fit your schedule, budget, or focus area. Electives help diversify your education while potentially giving you hands-on experience in your area. After you complete your degree, you can become nationally certified through assessments such as the AMTEC and NOCTI , which are offered right on campus.

3. Chattahoochee Technical College

Location: Marietta, Georgia

Size: 13,000 students

Tuition: Tuition is assessed at one of three levels per semester:

• Standard tuition cost is $89 per credit hour for in-state, Georgia residents. Maximum per term: $1,335.00
• Out-of-state students pay tuition twice the amount charged for Georgia residents
• International students pay tuition four times the amount charged for Georgia residents

Degrees:

• Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Technology Associate of Applied Science (68 credits)
• Industrial Maintenance and Electrical Technology Diploma (58-60 credits)

Certificates:

• Industrial Electrician Certificate
• Programmable Control Technician I Certificate
• Electrical Maintenance Technician Certificate

Chat Tech offers distance learning, professional development courses, and career counseling for maintenance technicians. Internship opportunities give you experience in the real working world, which will look great when you go to apply for jobs.

4. Walla Walla Community College

Location: Walla Walla, Washington

Size: 12,000 students

Tuition:

• In-state: $4,376 per year
• Out-of-state: $5,675 per year

Certificates:

• Industrial Maintenance

Walla Walla’s maintenance technology program provides help with career placement for students who complete the certification training, which requires one year of study. Students can use their workforce training experience to become maintenance technicians, electrical engineers, and computer service technicians. The program offers distance learning options as well as independent study programs .

5. Saint Paul Community College

Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota

Size: 11,271 students

Tuition:

• Ranges from $185.37 – $285.36 per credit, no matter where you’re from

Degrees:

• Electromechanical Systems Diploma

Certificates:

• Electromechanical Systems Certificate

Saint Paul Community College provides online and weekend classes, cross-registration with other institutions, online learning, and career counseling services. The program itself combines hands-on education in industrial engineering with mechanical systems to prepare you for the challenges of working as an electromechanical technician. Distance learning options make it easy to schedule classes when and where you need them.

6. Southeast Community College

Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

Size: 9,212 students

Tuition:

• In-state: $65.50 per credit hour
• Out-of-state: $79.50 per credit hour

Degree:

• Electrical and Electromechanical Technology Associate Degree

Southeast Community College позволяет вам получить степень с двойной направленностью , объединив две программы в одну, так что вы можете расширить свой охват за пределы одной области с их программой с двойной направленностью. И делайте все это, не беспокоясь о детях дома - Southeast обеспечивает присмотр за детьми на территории кампуса, пока вы получаете степень.

Кампус Юго-восточного муниципального колледжа

7. Снежный колледж

Местонахождение: Ефрем, штат Юта

Размер: 4100 студентов

Обучение:

• В штате: 3388 долларов в год
• За пределами штата: 11 342 доллара в год.

Степени:

• Ассоциированный специалист по промышленной механике в прикладных науках
• Ассоциированный специалист по промышленному производству в прикладных науках

Сертификаты

• Сертификат об окончании промышленной механики
• Свидетельство о завершении промышленного производства

При соотношении учеников и учителей 23: 1 вы получите индивидуальный опыт обучения в Snow College. Сертификационные программы требуют 33 кредитных часа, а программы на получение степени младшего специалиста требуют 67 кредитных часов, но и те, и другие охватывают гидравлику и химию, а также механику. Программы Snow College предлагают возможности дистанционного обучения и независимую учебную программу, которая позволит вам избежать учебы.

Кампус Сноу-Колледжа, Нойес Билдинг

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