Auto Mechanic and Automotive Schools in Indiana
In Indiana, auto mechanic schools provide fundamental training in the various areas of the automotive repair and service industry, such as automotive technology, motorcycle technology, heating and cooling systems, engines and more. It typically takes between six months and one year to complete a program, but some programs only take 45 weeks of full-time work to complete. For individuals with a background in automotive repair or service experience, online education programs may be a good choice for gaining new skills and earning a certificate or degree.
Indiana auto mechanic schools can be found in Indianapolis.
Training time at auto mechanic schools in Indiana can also be used to meet work experience requirements for certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). ASE certification provides professional credentials and demonstrates commitment to the automotive repair and service industry.
Auto mechanic training in Indiana
Indiana has 16,480 working automotive service technicians and mechanics, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That is a large workforce, and programs across the state feed directly into it. Whether you are finishing high school or changing careers as an adult, Indiana has a clear path for you.
This page lists every ASE-accredited program in Indiana: 13 post-secondary programs at 5 institutions, 2 manufacturer-sponsored programs, and 13 secondary programs at high school career centers. ASE accreditation means the program meets the quality standards set by the ASE Education Foundation, the recognized national standard for automotive training.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations for Auto Mechanics in Indiana
Pay varies a lot depending on which type of work you do. Here is what BLS May 2025 OEWS data shows for Indiana.
Automotive service technicians and mechanics
This is the core occupation for most graduates. Indiana employs 16,480 in this role. The median wage is $49,360 per year. The bottom 10 percent earn around $35,800. The top 10 percent earn $78,580. The middle of the range, where most experienced technicians land, runs from $38,500 at the 25th percentile to $62,710 at the 75th.
Diesel and truck mechanics
If you work on buses and heavy trucks instead of passenger cars, pay is higher. Indiana employs 8,840 in this role. The median is $60,610. The 25th percentile starts at $49,270, and the 90th percentile reaches $79,730. If diesel work interests you, Lincoln College of Technology in Indianapolis offers an ASE-accredited medium and heavy-duty truck program.
Automotive body repairers
Body repair technicians in Indiana have a median of $51,160 and a mean of $58,010. The top 10 percent earn $82,290, the highest ceiling of any automotive trade in the state. Indiana employs 3,780 in this role. Ivy Tech Community College Northeast in Fort Wayne is the only post-secondary institution in this list with an ASE-accredited collision repair and refinishing program.
Automotive glass installers and repairers
This is a smaller specialty. Indiana employs 320 workers here. The median is $46,850 and the mean is $48,710. The range is narrower than other trades, from $38,160 at the 10th percentile to $58,990 at the 90th.
How pay grows over a career
The gap between entry-level and experienced pay is wide. An automotive service technician starting at the 10th percentile earns $35,800. A senior technician at the 90th percentile earns $78,580. That is a difference of more than $42,000 per year in the same occupation. Specializing in diesel or body repair raises both the floor and the ceiling further.
Manufacturer-sponsored programs in Indiana
Indiana has 2 manufacturer-sponsored programs, both at Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana in Indianapolis. These are the highest-value option on this page and deserve serious attention.
A manufacturer-sponsored program, sometimes called an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) program, pairs your college coursework with paid work placements at a franchised dealership. You earn college credit, receive manufacturer-specific training that generic programs do not cover, and build a relationship with a dealer who may hire you after graduation. The two programs in Indiana are Toyota T-TEN and GM ASEP.
| Program name | Institution | City | Series | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota T-TEN | Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana | Indianapolis | Automobile | August 2030 |
| GM ASEP | Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana | Indianapolis | Automobile | August 2030 |
Toyota T-TEN (Toyota Technical Education Network) trains you specifically on Toyota and Lexus vehicles. GM ASEP (General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program) does the same for GM brands. Both programs combine classroom study with rotations at a sponsoring dealer. You need to apply to the college and be matched with a participating dealership. Contact Ivy Tech Indianapolis directly to ask about current dealer partners and application steps.
All 13 post-secondary ASE-accredited programs in Indiana
The table below shows all 13 post-secondary programs in Indiana that currently hold ASE accreditation. These are the programs an adult can enroll in. The 2 manufacturer-sponsored programs appear in their own section above and are also included here for completeness, since they are part of the same ASE-accredited listing.
Community colleges generally cost less per credit hour than private technical institutes, though exact figures vary by campus and residency status. Contact each school directly for current pricing.
| Institution | City | Series | Program note | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ivy Tech Community College – Evansville | Evansville | Automobile | December 2026 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College – Kokomo | Kokomo | Automobile | April 2028 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College – Lafayette | Lafayette | Automobile | June 2029 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College – North Central | South Bend | Automobile | September 2030 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College – Terre Haute | Terre Haute | Automobile | April 2028 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College Northeast | Fort Wayne | Automobile | April 2030 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College Northeast | Fort Wayne | Collision Repair and Refinishing | May 2030 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana | Indianapolis | Automobile | August 2030 | |
| Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana | Indianapolis | Automobile | Toyota T-TEN | August 2030 |
| Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana | Indianapolis | Automobile | GM ASEP | August 2030 |
| Lincoln College of Technology | Indianapolis | Automobile | July 2030 | |
| Lincoln College of Technology | Indianapolis | Medium/Heavy Duty Truck | August 2030 | |
| Vincennes University | Vincennes | Automobile | April 2029 |
The Ivy Tech Evansville accreditation expires in December 2026. If you are considering that campus, confirm with the school that renewal is in progress before you enroll.
High school automotive programs in Indiana
If you are currently in high school, you may already have access to an ASE-accredited automotive program through your career center. These programs are for high school students and are not open to adult career-changers. They give you a real head start: hands-on shop time, exposure to industry tools, and in some cases a structured pipeline into a dealership job.
All 13 secondary programs below are listed. Four of them carry the AYES designation (Automotive Youth Educational Systems). AYES is not a general shop class. It is a formal partnership between your school, area dealerships, and the automotive industry. As an AYES student, you do supervised work at a real dealership while you are still in school. That means you graduate with both classroom credentials and actual shop experience at a dealer. No other secondary automotive program type provides that combination.
If you attend one of the four AYES schools listed below, talk to your automotive instructor about the dealership placement process as early as possible. Spots fill, and you want to be in the rotation before your senior year.
All 13 secondary ASE-accredited automotive programs in Indiana:
| School | City | Series | AYES | Accreditation expires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. K. Smith Area Career Center | Michigan City | Automobile | July 2030 | |
| Area 31 Career Center | Indianapolis | Automobile | January 2031 | |
| Central Nine Career Center | Greenwood | Automobile | Yes | June 2031 |
| Columbus Area Career Connection | Columbus | Automobile | April 2029 | |
| Elkhart Area Career Center | Elkhart | Automobile | Yes | January 2030 |
| Impact Institute | Kendallville | Automobile | Yes | February 2029 |
| J. Everett Light Career Center | Indianapolis | Automobile | March 2024 | |
| Lowell High School | Lowell | Automobile | June 2027 | |
| McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology | Indianapolis | Automobile | January 2031 | |
| Porter County Area Career Center | Valparaiso | Automobile | Yes | December 2029 |
| Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center | Evansville | Automobile | April 2028 | |
| Walker Career Center | Indianapolis | Automobile | October 2024 | |
| Whitewater Career Center | Connersville | Automobile | June 2027 |
Note that J. Everett Light Career Center and Walker Career Center both show accreditation expiry dates in 2024. Check directly with those schools to confirm their current accreditation status before you commit to attending.
How to choose a program
Start with location. Indiana is a large state, and commuting an hour each way to a campus is a real cost in time and money even if tuition is low. Find the accredited program closest to you first.
Then look at the type of work you want to do. If you want to specialize in diesel and heavy trucks, Lincoln College of Technology in Indianapolis is the only post-secondary option in this list with that specific accreditation. If collision repair interests you, Ivy Tech Northeast in Fort Wayne is the only post-secondary school here with an accredited collision program.
If you want to work at a Toyota or GM dealership specifically, the manufacturer-sponsored programs at Ivy Tech Indianapolis give you a direct path. Generic programs do not include paid dealer rotations or manufacturer-level certification.
If you are still in high school, check whether your district is linked to one of the 13 secondary programs above. If you are in Greenwood, Elkhart, Kendallville, or Valparaiso, you may qualify for an AYES placement. That is a genuine advantage that you should not pass up.
Next steps
Use the links in the tables above to go directly to each school’s website. Look for the automotive or transportation program page, find the admissions or contact information, and reach out. Ask about application deadlines, program length, and whether any financial aid or employer partnerships are available.
If you are a high school student in Indiana, start with your school counselor and ask specifically about the career centers listed above. If you are an adult looking to retrain, any of the 13 post-secondary programs in this list is a solid starting point. The median wage for experienced technicians in Indiana is $62,710 at the 75th percentile, according to BLS May 2025 OEWS data. That figure goes higher if you move into diesel or body repair. The training is the first step.