[Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong surgical technology/technologist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 442 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools.
Finding the Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist School for You
Where you study surgical technology/technologist affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Our analysis ranked El Centro College the best value for a degree in surgical technology/technologist in the United States. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $73,102. That is a strong return on a $15,926 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes St Petersburg College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,000. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,187. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at Skyline College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Wiregrass Georgia Technical College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $14,685 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,801. That is a strong return on a $14,685 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hillsborough Community College earned it the #5 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Hillsborough Community College earn a median of $54,140 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $50,076 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College came in at #7 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $8,350. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $57,326. Set against $8,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #8 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $45,656. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #9 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,422 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $61,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edgecombe Community College placed #10 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $8,784 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,690 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $60,003. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland placed #11 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,310, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College landed the #12 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,993. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College came in at #13 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $58,814. That is a strong return on a $11,875 median debt.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,135. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,187 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $53,923. Set against $9,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Indian River State College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fort Pierce. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,764, with out-of-state students paying around $10,201. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,493. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. Set against $9,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College placed #16 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,432 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #17 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $6,423. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $51,050. Set against $6,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuyahoga Community College District ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,870. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $52,018 early in their careers. Set against $14,870 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College landed the #19 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,293. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,812. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,721. Set against $12,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College placed #21 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $52,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #22 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,942. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $42,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Robeson Community College landed the #23 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,748. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $54,305. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College placed #24 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Trident Technical College landed the #25 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,546, while out-of-state students pay about $8,620. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s surgical technology/technologist value ranking:
Surgical Technology/Technologist Related Rankings by Major
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Surgical Technology/Technologist. See all related rankings.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 442 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 442 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).
[Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong surgical technology/technologist education at a price that pays off.
