[Tool & Die Technology/Technician](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/tool-and-die-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for tool & die technology/technician students.
What’s on this page:
The tool & die technology/technician program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Tool & Die Technology/Technician Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Learn more about our methodology
One Size Does Not Fit All
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Tool & Die Technology/Technician Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in tool & die technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in tool & die technology/technician, no school beat Macomb Community College this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $9,862. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $38,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at Southern Regional Technical College, which ranked #2. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $9,086. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central Piedmont Community College earned it the #3 place for tool & die technology/technician. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Northeast Alabama Community College one of the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $7,459. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $35,119. Set against $7,459 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Texas College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $30,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delta College landed the #6 spot for tool & die technology/technician value this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $34,112. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gadsden State Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $9,312. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Gadsden State Community College generally make around $41,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Georgia Technical College earned the #8 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Clarkesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,279 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from North Georgia Technical College generally make around $45,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College placed #9 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. Students from in state pay about $3,300 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $8,492. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $41,229. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bevill State Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Jasper. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, compared with $8,346 for out-of-state students. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,040 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Bevill State Community College generally make around $45,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elgin Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College came in at #12 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $12,525. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #13 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $15,865. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $43,205. Set against $15,865 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Lake County came in at #14 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alamance Community College came in at #15 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Alamance Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Graham. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,592, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $6,625. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $37,585. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #16 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $45,972 early in their careers. Set against $11,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus came in at #17 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Birmingham. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,910 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,769 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Lawson State Community College Birmingham Campus generally make around $35,941. That is a strong return on a $11,769 median debt.
Ferris State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,778. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $19,633. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $62,832 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ferris State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Renton Technical College placed #19 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $80,411. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College placed #20 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,237. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,564 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $30,515 early in their careers. Set against $5,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #21 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,650 in student loans. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $49,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #22 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $38,325. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $41,073 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje earned the #24 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Bayamon, Escuela De Troqueleria Y Herramentaje is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $26,293. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Jackson, Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson is a mid-sized public university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson earn a median of $43,864 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in tool & die technology/technician:
Narrow Tool & Die Technology/Technician Schools by Region
View All Rankings >
Tool & Die Technology/Technician is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 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.
