The rankings
- 1
Metropolitan Community College · Omaha, NE
Engineering Technology AAS - Mechatronics Emphasis
Metropolitan Community College's Engineering Technology AAS with Mechatronics Emphasis is delivered at Omaha-metro campuses. Stackable Industrial Automation PLC Level II and Level III certificates feed into the AAS. Omaha employer base including Union Pacific, Conagra, and Valmont Industries.
Visit program pageTuition: $8,000/yr
Length: 24 months
Format: hybrid
Accred: HLC
Overall
67
of 100
Click any factor for details
25% 7015% 6015% 6515% 8515% 5010% 705% 65
What jobs you can get with a AAS in mechatronics
Graduates of AAS mechatronics programs primarily enter technician-tier roles under BLS SOC 17-3024 (Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians), with a median annual wage of $70,760 per the May 2024 OEWS release. The role splits across three named job titles that share the same SOC, similar pay, and overlapping skill requirements:
SOC 17-3024 · $70,760 median
Mechatronics Technician
The flagship AAS-entry role. Maintains automated equipment, troubleshoots breakdowns, modifies PLCs. Median pay $70,760 per BLS May 2024.
Full career profile →
SOC 17-3024 · $70,760 median
Robotics Technician
AAS in Mechatronics + FANUC NOCTI certification opens automotive body-shop and warehouse-automation roles.
Full career profile →
SOC 17-3024 · $70,760 median
Automation Technician
AAS-entry role at food, beverage, pharma, and chemical plants. Heavy PLC and HMI focus.
Full career profile →
Salary outlook for AAS graduates
Entry pay for fresh AAS graduates typically $48K-$60K base in most US metros. Apprenticeship-conversion roles (where the apprenticeship sponsor hires the graduate) often start $55K-$65K because the employer has pre-invested in the candidate. With 5-10 years of experience, AAS graduates reach the BLS median for SOC 17-3024 at $70,760.
Per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook data for SOC 17-3024 (Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians), May 2024 OEWS:
| Percentile | Annual wage | Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,770 | Entry-level floor |
| 50th (median) | $70,760 | 5-10 years experience |
| 90th | $88,630 | Senior / specialized |
Pay rises significantly with experience and credential stacking. See the full Mechatronics Technician career profile for the complete pay progression across career stages and the named employers paying at each level.
Certifications to pair with this AAS
The AAS mechatronics credential's career impact is strongest when paired with industry-recognized certifications. The highest-leverage credentials to add:
MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council) · $480
MSSC CPT
Foundational US manufacturing credential. Usually bundled into AAS curriculum at no extra cost.
Full credential guide →
Siemens · $250
Siemens SMSCP
Mechatronics-specific depth credential. Available at Siemens CERT partner AAS programs as bundled credentialing.
Full credential guide →
PMMI Foundation · $195
PMMI Mechatronics
Packaging-vertical credential. Strong for AAS graduates targeting food, beverage, pharma, and personal-care manufacturing.
Full credential guide →
Compare all 7 mechatronics credentials →
How to evaluate a AAS program
Beyond the ranked list above, use these criteria when comparing specific programs side-by-side. Each criterion is one of the data inputs we use in our 7-factor scoring methodology.
- Regional institutional accreditation. Required for federal Pell eligibility and transferable credit. Verify the institution holds accreditation from a US Department of Education-recognized accreditor.
- Industry partner credentials. Siemens CERT, FANUC CERT, PMMI test-site, or Rockwell partnership. The strongest AAS programs have multiple vendor partnerships.
- Lab equipment currency. Visit the lab. Current-generation PLCs, multiple robot brands, fully-operational pneumatic and motor-drive trainers. The lab investment signals how seriously the institution takes the program.
- Industry advisory board strength. Active local-employer participation in the program's advisory board correlates strongly with placement outcomes.
- Published placement data. Honest programs publish 90-day placement rates with methodology, by employer, with average starting wages. Walters State CC publishes 98% technical-program placement; Robeson CC publishes $40,599 average mechatronics-grad starting salary.
- BS articulation agreements. If you might pursue a BS later, verify articulation with ABET-ETAC bachelor's programs at regional 4-year institutions. 2+2 transfer agreements produce the cleanest credit transfer.
- Scheduling flexibility. Evening, weekend, and hybrid course availability matters for working students. Many strong AAS programs run modular schedules to accommodate working learners.
Cost & funding sources
In-state AAS tuition typically runs $2,500-$6,000 per year for residents. North Carolina Community College System tuition anchors the low end at around $2,432/year. California Community Colleges sit lower still ($1,380/year) but require state-resident status. Out-of-pocket cost is often zero through Pell + state workforce funding.
The most common funding sources for AAS mechatronics candidates:
- Federal Pell Grant (up to $7,395/year as of 2024-25)
- State Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants
- State-specific workforce-development programs (TN Reconnect, Apprenticeship Carolina, etc.)
- Employer apprenticeship sponsorship (Toyota T-TEN, BMW Scholars, Caterpillar ThinkBIG)
- GI Bill and military education benefits
- Employer tuition reimbursement
- Institutional need-based and merit scholarships
Apply for funding before enrolling. WIOA and most state programs require pre-approval. Paying first and seeking reimbursement often does not work.
Time to credential & starting pay
How long it takes
Two years (4 semesters) at full-time enrollment with 60-72 credit hours. Part-time enrollment extends to 3-4 years. Apprenticeship-paired AAS programs run 3-4 years total with the AAS bundled into the apprenticeship structure.
What you'll earn coming out
Entry pay for fresh AAS graduates typically $48K-$60K base in most US metros. Apprenticeship-conversion roles (where the apprenticeship sponsor hires the graduate) often start $55K-$65K because the employer has pre-invested in the candidate. With 5-10 years of experience, AAS graduates reach the BLS median for SOC 17-3024 at $70,760.
Adjacent credentials to compare
The AAS mechatronics credential is one of several closely-related credential paths. The right choice depends on your career direction, timeline, and financial situation.
| Credential | Tradeoff |
|---|---|
| Short certificate program | Faster (3-12 months vs 2 years) and cheaper but lacks the portable transcripted degree and federal Pell eligibility. |
| ABET-EAC Bachelor's in Mechatronics Engineering | 4 years instead of 2. Opens engineer-tier roles at $70K-$95K starting and the FE-to-PE licensure pathway. Direct credit transfer is limited. |
| ABET-ETAC Bachelor's in Mechatronics Engineering Technology | AAS credits transfer cleanly via 2+2 articulation. Engineering-technology track, less competitive for PE licensure than EAC. |
How we ranked these programs
Each program in this list is scored 0-100 across seven weighted factors. The scoring is deterministic — same methodology applied to every program with no editorial thumb on the scale. Per-factor scores are computed from data points we maintain in our program directory: accreditation status, named industry partners, tuition, format, partnership history.
- Accreditation (25%): Active accreditation from the recognized body in this field, plus continuous accreditation history.
- Program leadership (15%): Program director credentials, tenure, and ongoing professional involvement.
- Pathways & laddering (15%): Stackable credentials, articulation agreements, and graduate-pathway support.
- Delivery format (15%): Online/hybrid/in-person flexibility, residency requirements, and start dates.
- Employer signal (15%): Documented hiring partnerships, internship placements, and graduate placement.
- Cost & affordability (10%): In-state and online tuition, transparent fees, and aid availability.
- Reputation (5%): Institutional reputation, regional accreditation, and student satisfaction signals.
The methodology is constant across every ranking we publish — national, state, city, and modifier-prefixed pages all use the same factor weights. Full methodology details and per-factor scoring logic.
Pitfalls & things to know
- Apply for Pell + state aid first. Most AAS candidates qualify for free or near-free tuition through Pell plus state workforce programs. Don't pay before applying.
- "ABET-accredited AAS" claims are misleading. ABET does not accredit AAS programs. If a program markets "ABET-accredited AAS," verify — the institution may hold ABET accreditation on a separate BS program.
- Understand how labs are delivered. AAS programs deliver hands-on labs through several formats: traditional on-campus blocks, hybrid scheduling with weekend or evening labs, online programs with shipped equipment kits, and partner-facility arrangements where students attend labs at a regional location. Pick the format that fits your schedule and learning style.
- Geographic match matters. An excellent AAS in a region without manufacturing employers produces worse outcomes than a merely good AAS in a manufacturing-heavy metro. Match the program to where you can take a first job.
- Articulation agreements matter for BS-bound candidates. If you might pursue a BS later, pick the AAS that articulates cleanly with a regional ABET-ETAC bachelor's. Verify before enrolling, not after.
Frequently asked questions
How are these programs ranked?
Is this the complete list of US programs?
How current is this data?
Will I qualify for state workforce funding?
Can I move from this credential to an engineering bachelor's later?
What certifications should I pair with this credential?
Sources & methodology
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians (SOC 17-3024). May 2024 OEWS release.
- BLS OEWS Industry Tables. Employment by industry.
- ABET Accredited Programs Directory. EAC and ETAC accreditation status.
- MSSC (Manufacturing Skill Standards Council). CPT credential structure.
- Siemens SMSCP Partner Schools.
- US Department of Labor — Apprenticeship.gov. Registered apprenticeship framework.
- American Job Center Finder. WIOA funding application portal.
- Our 7-factor ranking methodology. Per-factor scoring logic and weights.
Program details verified as of 2026-05-19. BLS wage data is from May 2024 OEWS release. Tuition figures from state community-college system tuition tables and individual institutional pages. Pay-percentile values between published 10/50/90 BLS anchors are interpolated.