[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 22 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Del Mar College the best value for a degree in machine tool technology/machinist in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.
South Texas College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $6,868. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $30,227. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $8,542. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $10,655 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $41,132. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in machine tool technology/machinist will find it at Amarillo College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,136, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $15,720. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.
St Philips College came in at #6 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College came in at #7 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $6,440 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $42,162. That is a strong return on a $6,440 median debt.
Brazosport College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,388 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #9 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $42,487. Set against $11,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ranger College placed #10 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the rural area of Ranger, Ranger College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,766, while out-of-state students pay about $9,066. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $12,749. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $35,756. That is a strong return on a $12,749 median debt.
Odessa College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Odessa College generally make around $47,856. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lee College landed the #12 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,520 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $53,448. That is a strong return on a $10,941 median debt.
North Central Texas College earned the #13 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Located in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,965 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from North Central Texas College generally make around $43,536. Set against $15,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee placed #14 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Muskogee. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Indian Capital Technology Center Muskogee generally make around $23,518. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hill College landed the #15 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Located in the town of Hillsboro, Hill College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $12,302 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.
Angelina College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the town of Lufkin, Angelina College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,430, while out-of-state students pay about $6,490. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $7,828. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,828 median debt.
Santa Fe Community College landed the #17 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Santa Fe Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Santa Fe. Students from in state pay about $1,851 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,131. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,267 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Santa Fe Community College generally make around $51,935. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Technology Center System Office placed #18 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Northeast Technology Center System Office is a small public school located in the town of Pryor. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Northeast Technology Center System Office generally make around $29,365.
Francis Tuttle Technology Center landed the #19 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Set in the city of Oklahoma City, Francis Tuttle Technology Center is a mid-sized public institution. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $14,859. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Francis Tuttle Technology Center generally make around $26,570. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College earned the #20 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Set in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,812. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $8,905. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $37,477 early in their careers. Set against $8,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Canadian Valley Technology Center came in at #21 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Canadian Valley Technology Center is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of El Reno. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Canadian Valley Technology Center earn a median of $46,777 early in their careers.
Gateway Community College Central City ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public university. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $15,037. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Gateway Community College Central City generally make around $45,781. Set against $15,037 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
