[Machine Tool Technology/Machinist](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/machine-tool-technology-machinist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong machine tool technology/machinist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for machine tool technology/machinist students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the machine tool technology/machinist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Illinois Valley Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools in Illinois. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Students borrow a median of $8,099 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in machine tool technology/machinist will find it at Kankakee Community College, which ranked #2. Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Kankakee. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Spoon River College earned it the #3 place for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,090, with out-of-state students paying around $13,500. Median earnings reach $38,386 ten years out.
A rank of #4 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
Danville Area Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, compared with $7,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Danville Area Community College earn a median of $36,123 early in their careers. Set against $9,470 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage landed the #6 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $12,492. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County landed the #7 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sauk Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the rural area of Dixon, Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,340, while out-of-state students pay about $12,900. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $12,811. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $48,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rend Lake College landed the #9 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Located in the rural area of Ina, Rend Lake College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,688 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Rend Lake College generally make around $42,770. That is a strong return on a $8,688 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College landed the #10 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Located in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,260, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College generally make around $30,893. Set against $9,434 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Illinois College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. Students from in state pay about $4,230 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Southwestern Illinois College earn a median of $31,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,500 median debt.
Heartland Community College came in at #12 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $13,110. Students borrow a median of $13,266 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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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 · 12 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.
