[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Riverland Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools in Minnesota. Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in machine tool technology/machinist will find it at St Cloud Technical And Community College, which ranked #2. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $48,652. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #3 spot this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $13,946. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $9,500. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $51,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Central Lakes College Brainerd one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,267. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $8,692. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Anoka Technical College earn a median of $50,690 early in their careers. Set against $8,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dunwoody College Of Technology landed the #7 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $27,477. Students borrow a median of $9,167 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $49,874. Set against $9,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
