Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in machine tool technology/machinist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Clover Park Technical College the best value for a degree in machine tool technology/machinist in Washington. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,154 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Set against $15,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bates Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
Renton Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $7,768. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $18,582. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bellingham Technical College earned it the #4 place for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,431 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,748.
A rank of #5 makes Lake Washington Institute Of Technology one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Kirkland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,997, with out-of-state students paying around $12,062. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $19,695 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Lake Washington Institute Of Technology generally make around $60,000. Set against $19,695 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Seattle Community College South Campus landed the #6 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $44,486 ten years out.
Spokane Community College placed #7 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,461, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $35,309 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Lower Columbia College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the city of Longview, Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,626, with out-of-state students paying around $6,003. Students borrow a median of $14,340 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $53,280. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College earned the #9 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clark College placed #10 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $15,432. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $43,768. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Everett Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, while out-of-state students pay about $11,171. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $47,441. Set against $13,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green River Community College came in at #12 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Perry Technical Institute earned the #13 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Located in the city of Yakima, Perry Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $8,390 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Perry Technical Institute earn a median of $41,301 early in their careers. Set against $8,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
[Machine Tool Technology/Machinist](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/machine-tool-technology-machinist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong machine tool technology/machinist education at a price that pays off.
