10 Top Mechanic Schools and Automotive Colleges

You are a gearhead. Why not get paid big bucks for it?
You love the roar of the horsepower and smell of the rubber hitting the road. You would rather restore a rusted-out piece of you-know-what to it's former glory than buy a car new.
You would tear apart a big-block V8 and see what makes it tick - than watch football for 8 hours on any given Sunday. You, my friend, should be doing what you love, and getting paid good top dollar for it.
The schools listed below may be just the ticket you need to take the next step and become a professional mechanic. Get real-world mechanic training in state-of-the-art shops from automotive instructors who know what they're doing.
Universal Technical Institute
Universal Technical Institute (UTI) offers the training you need for an exciting career as an Automotive, Diesel or Collision Repair & Refinishing technician in a little more than a year. With nine locations nationwide, manufacturer specific training for Audi, BMW, Ford FACT, International, Mercedes, Nissan, Porsche, Volkswagen and Volvo, and the incredible high performance training at Hot Rod U, you need to take a look at what UTI has to offer.
WyoTech
WyoTech is dedicated to superior quality, college-level, career-oriented education in the automotive, diesel, motorcycle, aviation, marine watercraft and collision/refinishing industries. Most WyoTech diploma programs can be completed in less than a year and a half, and there are seven WyoTech campuses located across the country. WyoTech prepares students for the post-graduation working world by teaching on a workday, not a school day schedule. Most students attend classes approximately eight hours a day, five days a week. This is real world technician training for Automotive, Motorcycle, Collision & Refinishing, Aviation, Diesel and Marine technology.
NASCAR Technical Institute
Shift your training into high gear and let over a half a century of racing heritage work for you! NASCAR and UTI have teamed up to open the first-ever NASCAR Technical Institute (NTI) - a training facility committed to high performance, not only on the track, but also in the classroom. Here you'll receive a wide range of automotive technology courses to train you for a rewarding career as an entry-level automotive technician with the added boost of NASCAR-specific courses and a Ford FACT elective that revs up your training and delivers a fast-paced, well-rounded course of study.
YTI Career Institute
Motorcycle popularity has become mainstream - proven by the increase in riders. With this growth comes the demand for skilled technicians for motorcycle repair and maintenance. At YTI Career Institute's new Motorcycle Technology Center, you get real-world training in a 15,000 square foot facility which includes motorcycle diagnostic & test equipment - including a DynoJet ® 250i dynamometer - 16 fully equipped service bays, wireless Internet access throughout the campus and student laptop computers.
Marine Mechanics Institute
The Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) provides real-world marine technician training programs to start your career in the marine industry. With support and/or endorsements from major marine manufacturers such as American Honda, American Suzuki, Mercury Marine, Volvo-Penta, SeaDoo, Polaris, Bombardier, Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA, and Yamaha Motor Corp. you can train to be a marine technician and launch your career in as little as 60 weeks.
Baran Institute of Technology
Since our founding in 1979, Baran Institute of Technology has emphasized exciting hands-on training in our automotive technical programs and electrical technical programs. You get to work and learn on real projects -- for practical knowledge you can use in the real world. Programs include auto body, automotive, CDL, diesel and motorcycle training.
Nashville Auto Diesel College
Love cars and trucks? Get the technical training you need for a rewarding mechanic career at NADC. For over 80 years, Nashville Auto-Diesel College (NADC) has been providing students like you with the hands-on training they need to succeed. Career focused diploma and associates degree programs are available in diesel, collision and refinishing repair, and high performance technologies.
Motorcycle Mechanics Institute
The Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) Motorcycle Technology programs provide the knowledge and skills you need to become a successful entry-level motorcycle technician. Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) has two great locations: Phoenix, Arizona or Orlando, Florida, each offering a wealth of exciting places to explore and enjoy with people who share your passion for motorcycles.
Lincoln Technical Institute
Are you looking for hands-on training at a well-respected technical school? Since its founding as a post-war job skill training source in 1946, Lincoln Technical Institute has been helping people just like you achieve their goals in the skilled trades. With national accreditation, state licensing, career education and career placement expertise, Lincoln Tech knows what it takes to help give you the competitive edge you need to not only compete but be successful in today's fast-paced marketplace.
Regardless of whether you're still in high-school trying to figure out 'what you want to be' or a bit older and looking for a career change to get you out of your current dead-end job, a career in automotive mechanics may be the answer you are looking for. The top mechanic colleges listed above are the best in the business. Take a look at what they have to offer and decide for yourself. Good luck!

About the Author
Mike Gracen is the founder of Loud Market (www.loudmarket.com), a mechanic college directory that offers free information from top mechanic schools for people looking to get into the automotive industry.