2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong surgical technology/technologist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 74 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
For return on investment in surgical technology/technologist, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. 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. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $57,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,350 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #2 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,870 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Cuyahoga Community College District generally make around $52,018. 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 Schoolcraft College, which ranked #3. Schoolcraft College is a large public school located in the city of Livonia. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,283. That is a strong return on a $15,677 median debt.
Henry Ford Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,285. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $62,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College landed the #6 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,298. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $47,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College earned the #7 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,562. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,542. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $25,418 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $54,371. Set against $25,418 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College placed #9 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,517, compared with $10,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,668. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $56,689. Set against $16,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College placed #10 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muskegon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, while out-of-state students pay about $16,010. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. That is a strong return on a $14,928 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #11 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,897 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $52,750 early in their careers. Set against $14,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #12 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,601. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Delta College earn a median of $52,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community College landed the #13 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $20,172 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $57,457 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,172 median debt.
Prairie State College came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $35,362. Set against $13,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College earned the #15 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,593. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,633. Set against $15,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $7,727. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College earned the #17 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,860 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $51,690. Set against $17,860 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College placed #18 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,475 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of North Central State College earn a median of $47,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,475 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earned the #19 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $12,924 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College generally make around $46,222. That is a strong return on a $12,924 median debt.
Rock Valley College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, with out-of-state students paying around $7,379. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.
Oakland Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,560. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,339 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $46,485. That is a strong return on a $16,339 median debt.
College Of Dupage landed the #22 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Students borrow a median of $14,349 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $58,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #23 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,696. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $64,476. Set against $11,696 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County placed #24 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,785. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College placed #25 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,595, with out-of-state students paying around $11,225. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $10,178. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $45,850. Set against $10,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for surgical technology/technologist this year:
Narrow Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools by State
More Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings
View All Surgical Technology/Technologist 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 · 74 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 74 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.
