2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Southeast Region
[Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong surgical technology/technologist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 160 schools to find the best return on investment for surgical technology/technologist students.
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2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Southeast 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
Our analysis ranked Wiregrass Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in surgical technology/technologist in the Southeast Region. 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, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,685. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $50,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Petersburg College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,682, compared with $9,286 for out-of-state students. 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 Coastal Pines Technical College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $45,656. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Southern Regional Technical College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,575. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,076. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
Edgecombe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,690. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $60,003. That is a strong return on a $16,690 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College landed the #6 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,422 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $61,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College landed the #7 spot for surgical technology/technologist value 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 $53,923 early in their careers. Set against $9,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hillsborough Community College earned the #8 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $54,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College placed #9 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,240, while out-of-state students pay about $7,531. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan came in at #10 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,942. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $42,801 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
West Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,978. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,432 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,224. That is a strong return on a $10,432 median debt.
Trident Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,116. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Trident Technical College generally make around $50,166. Set against $18,116 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #13 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $6,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $51,050. Set against $6,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cleveland Community College came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,602, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $45,763. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
Indian River State College earned the #15 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the suburb of Fort Pierce, Indian River State College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,493 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Indian River State College generally make around $41,229. That is a strong return on a $9,493 median debt.
Robeson Community College landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Lumberton. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,748. Students borrow a median of $9,949 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Robeson Community College earn a median of $54,305 early in their careers. Set against $9,949 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Atlanta Technical College landed the #17 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,161 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $41,360. Set against $21,161 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Florida State College came in at #18 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, compared with $11,859 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of South Florida State College earn a median of $49,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,204 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle came in at #19 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,242, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pensacola State College placed #20 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Pensacola State College is a large public school located in the city of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. 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 $46,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,750 median debt.
Fayetteville Technical Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,486. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Florida State College At Jacksonville landed the #22 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,949 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Florida State College At Jacksonville earn a median of $44,916 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,949 median debt.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $40,038 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Rockingham Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $55,849. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College landed the #25 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,312. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $38,015 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
These schools also delivered strong value for surgical technology/technologist this year:
Narrow Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 160 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 160 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.
