2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Ohio
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
For return on investment in surgical technology/technologist, no school beat Cuyahoga Community College District this year. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Students borrow a median of $15,593 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,633. Set against $15,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, while out-of-state students pay about $11,374. Students borrow a median of $12,475 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $47,458. Set against $12,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, with out-of-state students paying around $8,860. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,298 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Lorain County Community College earn a median of $47,399 early in their careers. Set against $16,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marion Technical College earned it the #5 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $10,178. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Marion Technical College earn a median of $45,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,178 median debt.
Stark State College came in at #6 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, while out-of-state students pay about $7,886. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,860 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $51,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,668 in student loans. 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.
Columbus State Community College earned the #8 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeland Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, while out-of-state students pay about $9,235. Students borrow a median of $20,307 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
James A Rhodes State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the rural area of Lima, James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $9,120. Students borrow a median of $16,949 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from James A Rhodes State College generally make around $48,543. Set against $16,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Cincinnati Clermont College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. University Of Cincinnati Clermont College is a large public school located in the suburb of Batavia. Students from in state pay about $6,639 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,871 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Clermont College generally make around $56,683. That is a strong return on a $17,848 median debt.
Central Ohio Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, Central Ohio Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,256, with out-of-state students paying around $8,016. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,570. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $51,178. That is a strong return on a $18,570 median debt.
Owens Community College placed #13 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,750. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $47,390. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
O C Collins Career Center came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the rural area of Chesapeake, O C Collins Career Center is a small public university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $18,165 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,457. Set against $18,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College Of Ohio ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Mercy College Of Ohio is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Toledo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,345. Students borrow a median of $20,958 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Mercy College Of Ohio generally make around $60,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Buckeye Hills Career Center landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Buckeye Hills Career Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Rio Grande. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,730. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Buckeye Hills Career Center generally make around $39,968. That is a strong return on a $14,730 median debt.
Choffin Career And Technical Center landed the #17 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Choffin Career And Technical Center is a small public school located in the city of Youngstown. In-state tuition and fees average $15,000. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $41,456. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Stautzenberger College Maumee placed #18 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Stautzenberger College Maumee is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Maumee. In-state tuition and fees average $16,699. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $30,902 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Stautzenberger College Maumee earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stautzenberger College Brecksville landed the #19 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Stautzenberger College Brecksville is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Brecksville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,699. Students borrow a median of $30,902 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Stautzenberger College Brecksville generally make around $42,769. That is a strong return on a $30,902 median debt.
Fortis College Columbus came in at #20 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of Westerville, Fortis College Columbus is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,935. Students borrow a median of $32,278 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Fortis College Columbus earn a median of $48,753 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
