2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in North Carolina
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for surgical technology/technologist students.
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2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
Edgecombe Community College earned the #1 spot for value among surgical technology/technologist schools in North Carolina. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Students borrow a median of $16,690 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Edgecombe Community College earn a median of $60,003 early in their careers. Set against $16,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Durham Technical Community College earned it the #2 place for surgical technology/technologist. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,293. 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 Cleveland Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $7,131. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $45,763. Set against $7,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockingham Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Robeson Community College earned it the #5 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Lumberton, Robeson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,604 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,748 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,949 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Robeson Community College generally make around $54,305. That is a strong return on a $9,949 median debt.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #6 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,652 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $10,240. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #7 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,422. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $61,455. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,628, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,486 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Fayetteville Technical Community College earn a median of $50,872 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,486 median debt.
Lenoir Community College landed the #9 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $8,833. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $47,685. That is a strong return on a $8,833 median debt.
Sandhills Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the rural area of Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,648. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,238. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Sandhills Community College earn a median of $51,685 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva placed #11 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Sylva generally make around $48,233. That is a strong return on a $10,408 median debt.
Gaston College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Dallas, Gaston College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,186, compared with $9,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $10,915. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Gaston College earn a median of $39,937 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Piedmont Community College earned the #13 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the rural area of Polkton, South Piedmont Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, while out-of-state students pay about $6,630. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,098 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $39,321. Set against $10,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earned the #14 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. Students from in state pay about $2,660 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,804. Students borrow a median of $16,252 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $42,443 early in their careers. Set against $16,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Davidson County Community College placed #15 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the rural area of Thomasville, Davidson County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,980 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,588 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,748. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Davidson County Community College earn a median of $45,161 early in their careers. Set against $11,748 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Carolina Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Jacksonville, Coastal Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,512, compared with $8,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Coastal Carolina Community College generally make around $37,831. That is a strong return on a $7,125 median debt.
Cape Fear Community College placed #17 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,388 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Cape Fear Community College earn a median of $42,889 early in their careers. Set against $12,388 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Catawba Valley Community College came in at #18 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Hickory, Catawba Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,427 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,803 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,125 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Catawba Valley Community College earn a median of $46,732 early in their careers. Set against $7,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College placed #19 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Asheville, Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,882, compared with $9,026 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College generally make around $48,052. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Guilford Technical Community College placed #20 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Guilford Technical Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Jamestown. Students from in state pay about $2,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,696 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $23,111. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Guilford Technical Community College earn a median of $42,837 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences landed the #21 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Concord, Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,550. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $24,414 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $60,869. Set against $24,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cabarrus College Of Health Sciences admits about 23% of applicants.
Southeastern Institute Charlotte landed the #22 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Southeastern Institute Charlotte is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,080. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $13,194 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $25,628. Set against $13,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Southeastern Institute Charlotte admits about 94% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
