[Machine Tool Technology/Machinist](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/machine-tool-technology-machinist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for machine tool technology/machinist students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in machine tool technology/machinist, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in machine tool technology/machinist, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $8,370 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $17,616. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $45,332. 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 Kalamazoo Valley Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,144 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $15,525. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt.
Lansing Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $46,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Oakland Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $15,865. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirtland Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $17,333. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $50,469. That is a strong return on a $17,333 median debt.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Students borrow a median of $4,540 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $42,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
