2027 Best Value Industrial Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region

[Industrial Technology/Technician](/majors/engineering-technologies/industrial-production-technology/industrial-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 40 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value industrial technology/technician schools.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Technology/Technician Schools in the Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the industrial technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Industrial Technology/Technician Schools
Pellissippi State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value industrial technology/technician schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the suburb of Knoxville, Pellissippi State Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for industrial technology/technician graduates is $8,951. Soon after graduation, industrial technology/technician degree recipients from Pellissippi State Community College generally make around $42,672. That is a strong return on a $8,951 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Patrick Henry Community College one of the best values for industrial technology/technician. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,440. Typical student debt for industrial technology/technician graduates is $11,235. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $33,358. That is a strong return on a $11,235 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in industrial technology/technician will find it at Virginia Western Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Roanoke, Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Typical student debt for industrial technology/technician graduates is $13,715. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $49,287. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wytheville Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,542 in student loans. Industrial Technology/technician graduates of Wytheville Community College earn a median of $40,973 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas one of the best values for industrial technology/technician. Phillips Community College Of The University Of Arkansas is a small public school located in the town of Helena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $4,550 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $45,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Black River Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial technology/technician schools. Black River Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Pocahontas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,776, while out-of-state students pay about $7,488. Students borrow a median of $12,420 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Industrial Technology/technician graduates of Black River Technical College earn a median of $41,888 early in their careers. Set against $12,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattanooga State Community College earned the #7 position for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Chattanooga, Chattanooga State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $17,756. Typical student debt for industrial technology/technician graduates is $12,079. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $37,252. Set against $12,079 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
John Tyler Community College earned the #8 position for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,082, with out-of-state students paying around $11,520. Typical student debt for industrial technology/technician graduates is $11,262. Industrial Technology/technician graduates of John Tyler Community College earn a median of $36,623 early in their careers. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College landed the #9 spot for industrial technology/technician value this year. Set in the rural area of Alberta, Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,467 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial technology/technician degree recipients from Southside Virginia Community College generally make around $29,666. That is a strong return on a $7,467 median debt.
Holmes Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial technology/technician schools. Set in the rural area of Goodman, Holmes Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,710 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,191 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Industrial Technology/technician graduates of Holmes Community College earn a median of $32,145 early in their careers. Set against $13,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Danville Community College earned the #11 position for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,992, compared with $11,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $55,860. That is a strong return on a $9,494 median debt.
Southwest Virginia Community College earned the #12 position for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,075, with out-of-state students paying around $11,513. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial technology/technician degree recipients from Southwest Virginia Community College generally make around $32,277. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Central Virginia Community College landed the #13 spot for industrial technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,384 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $32,309. That is a strong return on a $10,384 median debt.
Northeast State Community College earned the #14 position for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Northeast State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Blountville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,782, compared with $17,766 for out-of-state students. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,404 in student loans. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $34,861. Set against $6,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Arkansas Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial technology/technician schools. South Arkansas Community College is a small public school located in the town of El Dorado. In-state tuition and fees average $3,324, compared with $5,532 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,386 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, industrial technology/technician degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. That is a strong return on a $15,386 median debt.
Thomas Nelson Community College placed #16 among the best values for industrial technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,402 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial technology/technician degree recipients from Thomas Nelson Community College generally make around $36,758. That is a strong return on a $14,402 median debt.
Wake Technical Community College came in at #17 for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Wake Technical Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,254, while out-of-state students pay about $6,862. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $21,581 in student loans. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $38,673. That is a strong return on a $21,581 median debt.
Murray State University landed the #18 spot for industrial technology/technician value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for industrial technology/technician graduates is $23,420. Soon after graduation, industrial technology/technician degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Southern Arkansas University Tech earned the #19 position for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Southern Arkansas University Tech is a small public school located in the rural area of Camden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,480. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,350 in student loans. Industrial Technology/technician graduates of Southern Arkansas University Tech earn a median of $33,148 early in their careers. Set against $7,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bossier Parish Community College landed the #20 spot for industrial technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Bossier City, Bossier Parish Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,268 in tuition and fees. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $20,593 in student loans. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $43,661. That is a strong return on a $20,593 median debt.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #21 spot for industrial technology/technician value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $25,122 in student loans. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College came in at #22 for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Set in the town of Logan, Southern West Virginia Community And Technical College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,872. Median earnings reach $32,153 ten years out.
Western Kentucky University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $60,675. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
North Carolina A And T State University landed the #24 spot for industrial technology/technician value this year. North Carolina A And T State University is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, with out-of-state students paying around $20,673. Industrial Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $30,272 in student loans. Early-career industrial technology/technician graduates make about $44,378. That is a strong return on a $30,272 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Tidewater Community College earned the #25 position for value in industrial technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Students borrow a median of $14,001 to complete the industrial technology/technician program here. Industrial Technology/technician graduates of Tidewater Community College earn a median of $35,627 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Industrial Technology/Technician Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for industrial technology/technician this year:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.