2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 56 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools.
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2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Southwest 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 El Centro College the best value for a degree in surgical technology/technologist in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $73,102. That is a strong return on a $15,926 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Mainland earned it the #2 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at El Paso Community College earned it the #3 place for surgical technology/technologist. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,875. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $58,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,993 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $47,906. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District landed the #6 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,721. Set against $12,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College came in at #7 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,950 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $49,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Port Arthur earned the #8 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $78,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #9 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $10,833. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $57,486 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,833 median debt.
Amarillo College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $53,099. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College came in at #11 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,323 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Trinity Valley Community College earn a median of $50,185 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oklahoma City Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,059, while out-of-state students pay about $9,810. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,193 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Oklahoma City Community College generally make around $49,282. Set against $16,193 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mclennan Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $5,910. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,858. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $50,839. Set against $12,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College earned the #14 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Houston Community College generally make around $65,873. Set against $15,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College earned the #15 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kilgore. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
San Juan College earned the #16 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mohave Community College came in at #17 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,250. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $56,999 early in their careers. Set against $11,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District landed the #18 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,759 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $63,075. Set against $14,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Odessa College placed #19 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $55,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Howard College came in at #20 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,766, compared with $6,716 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $53,815. That is a strong return on a $14,866 median debt.
Tulsa Community College placed #21 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $19,137. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Tulsa Community College generally make around $54,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metro Technology Centers earned the #22 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Metro Technology Centers is a small public school located in the city of Oklahoma City. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Metro Technology Centers earn a median of $55,848 early in their careers. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Technology Center ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center is a mid-sized public university. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,022. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Tulsa Technology Center generally make around $45,019. Set against $11,022 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Vernon College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Vernon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,260. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $45,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College landed the #25 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,425 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $59,650. 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 rounded out the top of this year’s surgical technology/technologist value ranking:
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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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
