[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 16 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.
Washtenaw Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools in Michigan. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Washtenaw Community College earn a median of $45,332 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Kalamazoo Valley Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, with out-of-state students paying around $9,094. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $15,525. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $44,198. 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 #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $16,700. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Alpena Community College earned it the #4 place for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Alpena Community College earn a median of $45,132 early in their careers. Set against $10,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
Macomb Community College came in at #6 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kellogg Community College earned the #7 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Kellogg Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Battle Creek. Students from in state pay about $4,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,282 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $20,432. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Kellogg Community College generally make around $32,616. Set against $20,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jackson Community College came in at #8 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Jackson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Jackson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,350, with out-of-state students paying around $10,200. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $16,960. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $41,322. That is a strong return on a $16,960 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District landed the #9 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,112 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $20,820 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $48,892. Set against $20,820 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirtland Community College landed the #10 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Grayling. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Students borrow a median of $17,333 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Kirtland Community College generally make around $50,469. That is a strong return on a $17,333 median debt.
Michigan Career And Technical Institute landed the #11 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Michigan Career And Technical Institute is a small public school located in the rural area of Plainwell. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,548, compared with $12,408 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Michigan Career And Technical Institute earn a median of $19,164 early in their careers.
Grand Rapids Community College landed the #12 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,219 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $4,540 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $42,066 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,540 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 16 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.
