[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for machine tool technology/machinist students.
What’s on this page:
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 Central Community College this year. Set in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $39,409. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Southeast Community College Area 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 Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $11,650 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $49,114. Set against $11,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #3 spot this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $5,500. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $38,353. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 3 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.
