2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Arkansas
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools.
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2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Arkansas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
South Arkansas Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools in Arkansas. Set in the town of El Dorado, South Arkansas Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,324, with out-of-state students paying around $5,532. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from South Arkansas Community College generally make around $59,370. That is a strong return on a $15,386 median debt.
Arkansas State University Newport is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Newport, Arkansas State University Newport is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,312 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Arkansas State University Newport earn a median of $39,080 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned it the #3 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,334 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,491 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,226. That is a strong return on a $12,491 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
North Arkansas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Harrison, North Arkansas College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,592. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from North Arkansas College generally make around $44,879. Set against $10,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Arkansas College earned it the #5 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Pine Bluff, Southeast Arkansas College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,650. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,660. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Northwest Technical Institute ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Springdale, Northwest Technical Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Northwest Technical Institute earn a median of $42,552 early in their careers.
Pulaski Technical College came in at #7 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Pulaski Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of North Little Rock. Students from in state pay about $6,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,450. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,250. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,098. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baptist Health College Little Rock ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Little Rock, Baptist Health College Little Rock is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $14,143 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Baptist Health College Little Rock generally make around $44,984. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt. Baptist Health College Little Rock admits about 96% of applicants.
More Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings
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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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
