Diesel Mechanic Schools – The Best Tech Programs for 2024

If your ultimate goal is to have a career as a certified diesel tech, you won’t likely find a more appealing training program than the one offered through Preppy.

Preppy is a one-of-a-kind educational platform that has recently partnered with acclaimed Auburn University to offer students top-notch certification training.

When we say this program is unlike any other, we really mean it.

To start, the diesel tech training can be completed in as little as 4 to 6 months. Most programs take anywhere from 9 months to two years to complete.

Not only is this the fastest program we’ve come across, but it is also the most affordable one. We were shocked to see that in some cases, this exceptional course costs 5 to 10 times less than other diesel tech programs on the market.

Despite being so affordable, Preppy still offers students a monthly payment plan. The goal is to truly make education affordable for everyone!

Something else you will appreciate is the fact that Preppy’s course is offered 100% online. This makes it so easy for busy, working adults with family responsibilities to get an education.

So many certification courses we’ve come across require some or all of the learning to take place in a classroom setting. That’s just not feasible for most adult students.

Now you may be wondering how you can learn diesel tech online. Well, Preppy includes an externship that allows students to get that necessary hands-on training once they have completed the online training.

Something else we want to highlight about Preppy is who it’s partnered with. So many certification programs available these days are from un-accredited institutions.

When you get your certification training through Preppy, your instruction will be provided through Auburn University, a world-class institution known for offering exceptional programs.

Talk about having something on your resume that will stand out and help set you apart from other job applicants!

Preppy also supplies all textbooks and learning materials, which means you will never have to worry about hidden tuition costs. Heck, Preppy even gives students a FREE LAPTOP. This is simply unheard of in the industry.

You may have noticed we are biased when it comes to Preppy. We won’t even try to deny it…we are. We have been in the industry a very long time and have seen so many inadequate certification programs. We are incredibly happy to finally have a program that ticks all the boxes.

If you are looking for a diesel tech training program to prepare you for some of the major certification exams…

… then check out Preppy:

Check Out Preppy’s Diesel Technician Program >>

Universal Technical Institute is for-profit system of colleges that has been providing technical training for automotive, diesel, and welding technology for 55 years.

UTI is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC).

UTI offers students foundational courses that will build their knowledge base. You will learn how to diagnose, repair, and replace parts within a diesel engine.

We like the fact that the curriculum is very thorough and that the school is accredited.

Having said that, we do have some concerns. For starters, there are no online classes and students are expected to spend considerable time in a classroom.

UTI has only 13 campuses around the country, so if moving to another state or city for your education poses a problem, this program may not be a good fit.

The cost is also on the higher end and time to completion is almost twice as long as other options on this list.

Lincoln Tech is a for-profit institution that has been in the business of career training for 75 years.

They offer students a robust program that instructs on how to perform complete disassembly and assembly on engines, tune-ups, and wheel alignments, as well as how to locate and diagnose the components of truck brake systems and more.

The program is comprehensive and we like that students are fully prepared to take the certification exam upon completion. We also appreciate that all learning materials are included.

There are some things we don’t like: Classes are unfortunately not online. When classes are held in person, we feel it makes it more difficult for busy adults to attend, and thus in some cases longer to complete.

So given the limited number of locations, you’ll need to be close by if you’re willing to do a campus-based program. Also, Lincoln Tech is not an accredited university.

WyoTech was founded in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1966. They provide concentrated training programs that prepare students to enter the growing automotive and diesel industry.

WyoTech offers a diesel mechanics program that allows students to get familiar with performing tune-ups on all major diesel engine brands.

Students will also learn how to adjust and run light-duty and heavy-duty engines, and build and repair engines.

We like that the curriculum is very thorough and all textbooks and learning materials are included. They are also nationally accredited.

However, the cost of the program is very high at roughly $30,000. That’s about 10x as much as others on this list.

They don’t appear to offer a monthly payment plan option, so students may need to explore financial aid options or student loans.  Classes are not online but only in-person at their location, and it takes 9 months to complete the course.

Tidewater Community College has been providing educational programs to students for 50 years. Founded in 1968, Tidewater is part of the greater Virginia Community College System and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Tidewater Community College’s diesel technology program blends classroom theory, lab demonstrations, and real-life skill development to prepare students for a career as a technician in the diesel industry.

Their program seems quite solid and we appreciate that they offer students robust support. We also like that the school is accredited.

However, there are no online classes.

In addition, tuition is on the higher end with the course running roughly $8,000. While not the priciest on the list, it is still quite a bit more than others we’ve found. It also has a longer complete time.

Snow College, founded in 1888 and named after Lorenzo Snow, is a for-profit school and has been an educational destination in Central Utah, offering artistic, musical, and sporting centers with many career-focused skill training programs.

One of those is its Diesel Mechanics program, comprehensive and focusing on the assembly and disassembly of all kinds of engines, wheel alignments, the fundamentals and mechanisms of brake systems, and more.

With its on-campus classes, students acquire hands-on experience and are also trained for the Automotive Service Excellence exam helping them qualify as licensed diesel mechanics or technicians.

Once graduated, students become qualified to handle mining equipment, light, and heavy-duty truck engines, excavation machinery, construction machinery, off-highway machinery, trains, ships, cars, and so much more.

But there are a few downsides to this program as well.

The program can be a hassle for working people and busy adults, as the classes are held on-campus and since there are a limited no. of locations, it means that the program is not widely accessible.

The program can also take longer to complete, which might not be ideal if you are looking to start your career ASAP.