[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 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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.
Our analysis ranked Marshalltown Community College the best value for a degree in machine tool technology/machinist in Iowa. Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marshalltown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $11,577. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $45,972. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Indian Hills Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Iowa Central Community College earned it the #3 place for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $16,135. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $39,624 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned it the #4 place for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Students borrow a median of $5,479 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $39,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,479 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $39,397. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 5 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.
