[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 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools.
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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 Coffeyville Community College this year. Coffeyville Community College is a small public school located in the town of Coffeyville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,680. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $12,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. That is a strong return on a $12,838 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Salina Area Technical College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $38,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earned it the #3 place for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $5,408. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Set against $9,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Hutchinson Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. In-state tuition and fees average $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $18,148. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Hutchinson Community College earn a median of $42,285 early in their careers. Set against $18,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in machine tool technology/machinist will find it at Cowley County Community College, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $9,312 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $34,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washburn Institute Of Technology placed #6 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Students borrow a median of $6,642 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $39,720 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #7 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Students borrow a median of $5,564 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $30,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kansas City Kansas Community College came in at #8 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, Kansas City Kansas Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,996, while out-of-state students pay about $6,482. Students borrow a median of $13,129 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Kansas City Kansas Community College earn a median of $43,216 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,129 median debt.
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Notes and References
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
