The best mechatronics AAS programs in Missouri, ranked
Missouri's mechatronics AAS pathway includes two community colleges with different geographic reach. Both are HLC-accredited and offer two-year AAS programs at around $4,000-$5,000 per year in-state tuition.
Springfield, MO
AAS in Industrial Engineering Technology — Mechatronics
Ozarks Technical Community College
Ozarks Technical Community College's Mechatronics AAS sits under the broader Industrial Engineering Technology umbrella, blending mechanical, electrical, and computer-control systems training across a two-year sequence. The AAS builds on the embedded Mechatronics certificate, adding a collaborative capstone project plus general-education and career-track electives that students can shape toward specific employer needs. Reported outcomes for 2023 graduates were 100% employment or continued education with an average starting salary near $45,000; placement spans high-tech manufacturing, hospital facilities, public utilities, and resort/hotel operations across southwest Missouri.
Tuition
$3,528/yr
Duration
24 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
Regionally accredited (HLC)
Overall
67
of 100
Click any factor for details
Moberly, MO
AAS in Mechatronics
Moberly Area Community College
Moberly Area Community College's Mechatronics AAS is designed to produce cross-trained technicians who can troubleshoot, maintain, and repair the integrated electromechanical systems running today's automated manufacturing facilities. Coursework includes heavy hands-on lab components covering electrical systems, motor control, hydraulics, pneumatics, programmable logic controllers, safety, and quality control. The program is paired with a 32-credit Mechatronics Certificate option for students who want a faster non-degree credential. Central Missouri location places graduates into food-processing, ag-equipment, and light-manufacturing roles across the I-70 corridor.
Tuition
$3,690/yr
Duration
24 mo
Format
On-campus
Accred.
Regionally accredited (HLC)
Overall
67
of 100
Click any factor for details
Why Missouri is a strong mechatronics technician market
Missouri has diversified manufacturing across aerospace, auto, brewing, food processing, and growing semiconductor and battery investment. St. Louis and Kansas City both rank in the top 25 US metros by manufacturing employment. Boeing's Defense, Space and Security headquarters in St. Louis is the largest single MO engineering employer (about 15,000 employees) producing F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15EX Eagle II, MQ-25 Stingray, plus classified programs. Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo (north of KC) produces F-150 trucks. GM's Wentzville Assembly produces the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, plus mid-size vans. Anheuser-Busch headquartered in St. Louis runs major brewing-and-packaging automation. Hostess and Nestle Purina add food-processing manufacturing depth.
For mechatronics technicians specifically, the Boeing St. Louis aerospace work plus Ford KCAP and GM Wentzville UAW shops create stable consistent hiring. MO's low cost of living (around 87 percent of US average statewide) gives engineering wages strong purchasing-power outcomes.
Ozarks Tech vs MACC: how to pick
Ozark Technical Community College (Springfield)
Located in Springfield, southwest Missouri. The AAS is "Industrial Engineering Technology with Mechatronics specialization", structured as a broader industrial engineering technology degree with the mechatronics track filling upper-division electives. Strong access to Springfield-area manufacturing including Bass Pro Shops/Cabela's manufacturing automation, Jack Henry & Associates (fintech equipment), Paul Mueller Company (stainless steel processing equipment), plus the broader Springfield-Branson manufacturing corridor. About 30 minutes from MO-AR-OK Tri-State manufacturing.
Moberly Area Community College (MACC, Moberly)
Located in Moberly, north-central Missouri. The AAS is more directly titled "AAS in Mechatronics". Access to Columbia (Hubbell Power Systems, Quaker Windows + Doors), Boonville, Mexico, MO (Optimus Steel) plus Quincy, IL across the Mississippi River (Methode Electronics, Knapheide Manufacturing). MACC is a multi-location community college with the mechatronics program centered at Moberly.
How to choose
- Pick Ozarks Tech if: you live in southwest MO or are willing to relocate to Springfield. Springfield-Branson is a growing metro with diverse employer options.
- Pick MACC if: you live in north-central MO or have reasonable commute access to Columbia, Moberly, Boonville, or Quincy IL.
- Both programs: articulate into Missouri State University and Missouri S&T bachelor's programs.
- For St. Louis or Kansas City placement: St. Louis Community College (STLCC) and Metropolitan Community College (KC area) also offer mechatronics-related programs, though we have not vetted those for this directory yet.
Top Missouri employers hiring mechatronics technicians
Boeing Defense, Space and Security (St. Louis)
Boeing's defense, space and security headquarters in St. Louis. About 15,000 MO employees. Builds F/A-18 Super Hornet, F-15EX Eagle II, MQ-25 Stingray (Navy unmanned aerial refueling tanker), plus classified programs. The largest single MO engineering and technician employer. Strong mechatronics work across aircraft production automation, weapon systems, and tooling. Security clearance required for most positions.
Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant (Claycomo)
Ford's KCAP builds F-150 trucks (one of Ford's two F-150 production facilities, alongside Dearborn). UAW-represented production. About 7,000+ employees. Heavy mechatronics-technician hiring across body shop, paint, and final assembly.
GM Wentzville Assembly
GM's Wentzville plant builds the Chevrolet Colorado mid-size pickup, GMC Canyon, plus Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana cargo vans. UAW representation. About 4,500 employees.
Anheuser-Busch (St. Louis HQ + multiple breweries)
Anheuser-Busch's global US headquarters in St. Louis plus brewing operations. Heavy automation across brewing, bottling, canning, and packaging operations.
Hostess Brands (Emporia KS, Lenexa KS, but Kansas City-metro MO operations)
Hostess plus Bimbo Bakeries operate KC-metro-area facilities.
Nestle Purina (St. Louis HQ + multi-state)
Pet food manufacturing. Heavy continuous-process automation.
Hubbell Power Systems (Columbia)
Electrical equipment manufacturing. Mid-Missouri location accessible from MACC.
Bass Pro Shops + Cabela's manufacturing (Springfield)
Bass Pro Shops headquarters in Springfield with manufacturing operations. Ozarks Tech graduates feed directly.
Jack Henry & Associates (Monett, MO)
Financial technology and ATM/banking equipment. Mechatronics work in specialized fintech device manufacturing and service.
Mechatronics technician salary in Missouri
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists (SOC 17-3027) in MO: median around $58,000 to $65,000.
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians (SOC 17-3024) in MO: median around $55,000 to $61,000.
- Entry-level AAS graduate wages: $42,000 to $52,000 typical in MO manufacturing. Boeing St. Louis pays at the upper end; security clearance adds 10-15 percent premium.
- UAW production-technician roles: $55,000 to $72,000 typical with overtime at Ford KCAP and GM Wentzville.
- Cost of living in St. Louis and Kansas City runs around 90-92 percent of US average. Springfield and smaller MO cities run around 85-88 percent. Among the strongest purchasing-power markets for engineering wages in the country.
From AAS to bachelor's: Missouri transfer pathways
Both Ozarks Tech and MACC AAS graduates have several MO-based bachelor's continuation options:
- Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T, Rolla): the state's historic engineering school. Multiple BS engineering programs that AAS holders can transfer credits into. ABET-EAC accredited.
- Missouri State University (Springfield): engineering technology and broader applied-engineering BS programs.
- University of Central Missouri (Warrensburg): applied engineering technology programs.
- Pittsburg State University (Pittsburg KS, just across the border): manufacturing engineering technology BS that accepts MO transfer credits.
- ECPI University online BS in Electronic Systems Engineering Technology (Mechatronics concentration): ABET-ETAC accredited online option for AAS graduates who can't relocate.
Paying for Missouri mechatronics AAS
- Ozarks Tech in-district tuition: around $4,000 per year for in-district residents. Out-of-district MO residents pay around $5,000.
- MACC in-district tuition: around $4,500 per year. Out-of-district MO residents pay around $5,500.
- Missouri A+ Scholarship: covers tuition and mandatory fees at MO community colleges for eligible Missouri public high school graduates.
- Access Missouri Financial Assistance Program: need-based MO state aid.
- Federal Pell Grants: up to $7,395 per year for eligible students.
- Bright Flight Scholarship: merit-based MO state aid for top ACT/SAT scorers.
Best Missouri cities for mechatronics technician careers
Springfield / Southwest MO
Home to Ozarks Tech. Bass Pro Shops headquarters, Jack Henry & Associates, Paul Mueller, plus broader Springfield-Branson manufacturing corridor. Strong cost-of-living value.
St. Louis
Boeing Defense Space and Security headquarters. Anheuser-Busch, Nestle Purina, Monsanto/Bayer Crop Science. Densest mechatronics-technician employer cluster in MO.
Kansas City metro (Claycomo, Independence, Wentzville)
Ford KCAP Claycomo and GM Wentzville (technically Wentzville is St. Louis metro but functionally Kansas City accessible). Strong auto-manufacturing employer base.
Columbia / Moberly / Central MO
Home to MACC. Hubbell Power Systems, Quaker Windows + Doors, plus broader central MO manufacturing.
Joplin / Tri-State (MO-AR-OK)
Manufacturing employment across the Tri-State area. Smaller employers but stable hiring.
How we ranked Missouri mechatronics AAS programs
Every program scored on our 7-factor methodology: accreditation (25 percent), program leadership (15 percent), pathways and laddering (15 percent), delivery format (15 percent), employer signal (15 percent), cost and affordability (10 percent), reputation (5 percent). See the full methodology breakdown. Both Ozarks Tech and MACC score similarly on cost and accreditation. Ozarks Tech scores marginally higher on employer signal because of denser Springfield-area employer base.
Missouri mechatronics AAS: frequently asked questions
Where can I get a mechatronics AAS in Missouri?
What does a mechatronics technician earn in Missouri?
Can I transfer an MO mechatronics AAS to a bachelor's?
Which MO program should I pick?
Is Missouri a good state for mechatronics technician careers?
Sources
- BLS OEWS for SOC 17-3024 and 17-3027 in Missouri, May 2024 release.
- Missouri Department of Economic Development: state manufacturing employment data.
- Ozarks Tech AAS in Industrial Engineering Technology with Mechatronics specialization.
- Moberly Area Community College AAS in Mechatronics.
- HLC: Higher Learning Commission institutional accreditation for both schools.
- Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development: Missouri A+ Scholarship, Access Missouri, and Bright Flight eligibility.