2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Associate’s Degree Schools
[Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong surgical technology/technologist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 501 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the surgical technology/technologist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools in the United States. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,000. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $62,187 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $11,699 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $60,744 early in their careers. Set against $11,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $9,996 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #5. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,169. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $63,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Centro College earned the #6 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College earned the #7 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,833 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,486. That is a strong return on a $10,833 median debt.
Frederick Community College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $16,348 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $59,579 early in their careers. Set against $16,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #9 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,086. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $55,734 early in their careers. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College landed the #10 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $52,274 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #11 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $16,422 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $61,455 early in their careers. Set against $16,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Durham Technical Community College placed #12 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,408. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,293. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #13 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,685 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,801. Set against $14,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #14 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $45,656. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Gulf Coast State College came in at #15 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $11,345 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $58,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #16 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $52,497. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District placed #17 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,870 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $52,018 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,870 median debt.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #18 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. 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. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,000. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,961. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Hinds Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Students borrow a median of $18,752 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $56,165. Set against $18,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Paso Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $58,814. That is a strong return on a $11,875 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #21 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,828 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $58,792 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Triton College placed #22 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $14,285 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Triton College earn a median of $62,280 early in their careers. Set against $14,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #23 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clover Park Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $19,755. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $60,214. That is a strong return on a $19,755 median debt.
Del Mar College landed the #25 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $52,431. Set against $7,000 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:
Other Surgical Technology/Technologist Degree Levels
Explore the best-value surgical technology/technologist schools at other degree levels:
View All Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 501 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 250 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.
