2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Pennsylvania

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for surgical technology/technologist students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Pennsylvania
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
Leading the list is Westmoreland County Community College, our #1 best value for surgical technology/technologist in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,306, compared with $14,728 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Median earnings reach $37,439 ten years out. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Delaware County Community College earned it the #2 place for surgical technology/technologist. Delaware County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Media. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, while out-of-state students pay about $15,540. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,136. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $65,167 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,136 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Luzerne County Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Nanticoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,600, compared with $16,260 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $17,741. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Luzerne County Community College generally make around $51,058. Set against $17,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,250 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $48,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Community College Of Allegheny County one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $23,623. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Community College Of Allegheny County generally make around $57,189. That is a strong return on a $23,623 median debt.
Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg landed the #6 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,975 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,472 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,150 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $62,227. That is a strong return on a $24,150 median debt.
Central Pennsylvania College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of Summerdale, Central Pennsylvania College is a small private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,854. Students borrow a median of $40,957 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Central Pennsylvania College earn a median of $45,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $40,957 median debt. Roughly 18% of applicants are accepted.
Lackawanna College came in at #8 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Scranton, Lackawanna College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,875 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Lackawanna College earn a median of $65,584 early in their careers. Set against $24,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carlow University landed the #9 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Students borrow a median of $36,875 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $100,671. Set against $36,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Great Lakes Institute Of Technology landed the #10 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Great Lakes Institute Of Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Erie. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,253. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Great Lakes Institute Of Technology generally make around $45,373. Set against $21,253 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Aloysius College earned the #11 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Cresson, Mount Aloysius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $28,545. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $22,582 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Mount Aloysius College earn a median of $52,639 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $28,010 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pennsylvania College Of Technology earn a median of $52,133 early in their careers. Set against $28,010 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alvernia University placed #13 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Reading, Alvernia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $45,000 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $31,900. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Alvernia University earn a median of $53,960 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $31,900 median debt. Alvernia University admits about 58% of applicants.
Mccann School Of Business And Technology Lewisburg came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Mccann School Of Business And Technology Lewisburg is a small private for-profit school located in the town of Lewisburg. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $27,386. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Mccann School Of Business And Technology Lewisburg earn a median of $37,084 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences placed #15 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Reading. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,516. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $25,948. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Reading Hospital School Of Health Sciences generally make around $54,909. Set against $25,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 29%.
Saint Josephs University landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,260. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $26,426 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $65,421. That is a strong return on a $26,426 median debt. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences came in at #17 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Lancaster. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $32,933. Students borrow a median of $26,402 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences earn a median of $47,496 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences admits about 41% of applicants.
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. 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.