[Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 391 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for surgical technology/technologist students.
St Petersburg College earned the #1 spot for value among surgical technology/technologist schools in the United States. St Petersburg College is a very large public school located in the city of St. Petersburg. Students from in state pay about $2,682 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,286. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $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 El Centro College, which ranked #2. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. 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. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,647. Set against $17,352 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Skyline College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned it the #4 place for surgical technology/technologist. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,685 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hillsborough Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #5 spot 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, compared with $9,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,000. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Hillsborough Community College generally make around $62,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College placed #6 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,350 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. 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.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,086. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $55,734. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. 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.
Central Piedmont Community College placed #9 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,422. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $61,455. Set against $16,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #10 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Spartanburg. In-state tuition and fees average $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,187 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $59,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,187 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #11 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $45,656 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Edgecombe Community College earned the #12 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tarboro. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Students borrow a median of $16,690 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $49,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
El Paso Community College earned the #13 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $11,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College placed #14 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $6,423. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $51,050. Set against $6,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District came in at #15 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,249 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $57,721 early in their careers. Set against $17,249 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Del Mar College came in at #16 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $52,431. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College landed the #17 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,408. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District landed the #18 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $3,249 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,870 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $52,018. That is a strong return on a $14,870 median debt.
Pensacola State College came in at #19 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $52,274. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College landed the #20 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $8,204. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $49,297. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #21 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,750 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,000. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Henry Ford Community College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,828. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $58,792. That is a strong return on a $20,828 median debt.
Robeson Community College placed #23 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,604, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,949. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $54,305. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan placed #24 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,980, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,942. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $42,801. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College placed #25 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in surgical technology/technologist:
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 · 391 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 391 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/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
