2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Florida
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for surgical technology/technologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Florida
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools in Florida. Located in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Students borrow a median of $16,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from St Petersburg College generally make around $62,187. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt.
Pensacola State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, with out-of-state students paying around $9,463. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $46,118 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Gulf Coast State College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Panama City. In-state tuition and fees average $2,370, compared with $8,635 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,423 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $47,500. Set against $9,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Hillsborough Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,491, with out-of-state students paying around $9,088. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,000. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $54,140. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,949 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $44,916. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Miami Dade College earned the #6 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Miami Dade College is a very large public school located in the city of Miami. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,838, with out-of-state students paying around $9,661. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Miami Dade College generally make around $50,897. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Florida State College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of Avon Park, South Florida State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,165, with out-of-state students paying around $11,859. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $8,204 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from South Florida State College generally make around $49,297. Set against $8,204 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian River State College earned the #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,764, compared with $10,201 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,493. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Indian River State College earn a median of $41,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,493 median debt.
Pasco Hernando Community College earned the #9 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of New Port Richey, Pasco Hernando Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,155, while out-of-state students pay about $12,032. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $42,434. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Florida State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Melbourne, Eastern Florida State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,791 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,976 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,125 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Eastern Florida State College generally make around $47,257. That is a strong return on a $16,125 median debt.
Daytona State College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Daytona Beach, Daytona State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,994. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Daytona State College generally make around $49,176. That is a strong return on a $10,972 median debt.
Tallahassee Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Tallahassee Community College is a large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $2,026, with out-of-state students paying around $8,062. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,300. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Tallahassee Community College earn a median of $40,405 early in their careers. Set against $21,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palm Beach State College earned the #13 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of Lake Worth, Palm Beach State College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,050, compared with $10,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,827 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $52,977. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Manatee Technical College came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Manatee Technical College is a small public school located in the suburb of Bradenton. Students borrow a median of $10,437 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Manatee Technical College generally make around $49,921. That is a strong return on a $10,437 median debt.
Santa Fe College landed the #15 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Santa Fe College is a large public school located in the suburb of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $2,563 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,189. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Santa Fe College earn a median of $57,763 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.
Orange Technical College Orlando Campus earned the #16 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Orlando, Orange Technical College Orlando Campus is a small public university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $8,611 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Orange Technical College Orlando Campus earn a median of $42,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,611 median debt.
College Of Central Florida earned the #17 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Ocala, College Of Central Florida is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,710, while out-of-state students pay about $10,517. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,309. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from College Of Central Florida generally make around $53,438. That is a strong return on a $15,309 median debt.
Erwin Technical College landed the #18 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Erwin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $13,595 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Erwin Technical College generally make around $45,024. Set against $13,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sheridan Technical College landed the #19 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Hollywood, Sheridan Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students borrow a median of $7,698 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $29,243. That is a strong return on a $7,698 median debt.
Rasmussen College Florida landed the #20 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Ocala, Rasmussen College Florida is a moderately-sized private for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $16,256 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Rasmussen College Florida generally make around $51,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suncoast Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Sarasota, Suncoast Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Suncoast Technical College earn a median of $45,213 early in their careers.
Pinellas Technical College St Petersburg ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Saint Petersburg, Pinellas Technical College St Petersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,260. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Pinellas Technical College St Petersburg generally make around $32,528. Set against $14,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career Institute Tampa ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Concorde Career Institute Tampa is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Tampa. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,752. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $55,666. Set against $20,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Concorde Career Institute Miramar earned the #24 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Concorde Career Institute Miramar is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Miramar. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $52,180. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Southwest Florida College earned the #25 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Southwest Florida College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fort Myers. Students from in state pay about $15,125 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $27,000. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $42,481. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in surgical technology/technologist:
More Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings
View All Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings >
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 · 36 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.
