2027 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the The Plains States Region
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 38 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 The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
Leading the list is Western Nebraska Community College, our #1 best value for surgical technology/technologist in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Western Nebraska Community College generally make around $62,413. Set against $14,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hutchinson Community College earned it the #2 place for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the town of Hutchinson, Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,917. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $54,878. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Seward County Community College And Area Technical School one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,175. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $53,375. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Louis Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Saint Louis Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Bridgeton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $13,750. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Saint Louis Community College generally make around $53,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #6 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,843 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $51,901. That is a strong return on a $14,843 median debt.
Washburn Institute Of Technology earned the #7 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,880. Students borrow a median of $18,750 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $59,779. That is a strong return on a $18,750 median debt.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,096 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College placed #9 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,000. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $52,138. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt.
Moberly Area Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,507. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $44,755. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #11 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Students borrow a median of $7,935 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $43,254. Set against $7,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College came in at #12 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, with out-of-state students paying around $5,784. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,887. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $33,869. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,713 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $48,917 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College landed the #14 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $35,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Students borrow a median of $22,917 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $65,019. That is a strong return on a $22,917 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,043. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College placed #17 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,945. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $52,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,945 median debt.
Bismarck State College earned the #18 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $7,331. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $13,340. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Bismarck State College generally make around $61,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Neosho County Community College placed #19 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Chanute, Neosho County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $44,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College placed #20 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $20,600 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $51,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #21 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,491. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $43,009 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Saint Paul, Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,326. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $23,000 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,464. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College earned the #23 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the rural area of Fergus Falls, Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,908. Students borrow a median of $24,702 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Minnesota State Community And Technical College earn a median of $55,649 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,702 median debt.
Western Dakota Technical Institute placed #24 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Rapid City, Western Dakota Technical Institute is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,294. Students borrow a median of $18,081 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $54,737. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Central College earned the #25 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,062. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $37,925. Set against $12,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for surgical technology/technologist this year:
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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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 38 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.
