[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 6 schools to find the best return on investment for machine tool technology/machinist students.
What’s on this page:
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 Marshalltown Community College the best value for a degree in machine tool technology/machinist in Iowa. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $45,972. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $39,624. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes North Iowa Area Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $39,397 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar landed the #6 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $5,479 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $39,833. Set against $5,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
More Machine Tool Technology/Machinist Rankings
View All Machine Tool Technology/Machinist Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
