by our College Data Analytics Team
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment for machine tool technology/machinist students.
What’s on this page:
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 Williamson College Of The Trades this year. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
Westmoreland County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,439 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, compared with $15,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Delaware County Community College earn a median of $40,102 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,050. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology earn a median of $52,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pleasant Gap, Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology is a small public institution. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $11,840. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology generally make around $37,215. That is a strong return on a $11,840 median debt. Central Pennsylvania Institute Of Science And Technology admits about 96% of applicants.
Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center landed the #6 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Set in the city of Altoona, Greater Altoona Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $17,867 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $47,891. Set against $17,867 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center landed the #7 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Located in the rural area of Johnstown, Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center is a small public university. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $17,690. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Greater Johnstown Career And Technology Center generally make around $27,897. Set against $17,690 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Berks Career And Technology Center came in at #8 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Located in the suburb of Leesport, Berks Career And Technology Center is a small public university.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #9 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,940, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $14,750 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $50,402. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.