[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 18 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in tool & die technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Macomb Community College the best value for a degree in tool & die technology/technician in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,862 in student loans. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $38,758. Set against $9,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Students borrow a median of $14,075 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $34,112. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at Elgin Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
A rank of #4 makes Sinclair Community College one of the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. In-state tuition and fees average $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. 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. 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 Oakland Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $15,865. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $43,205 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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.
Ferris State University earned the #7 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Ferris State University is a large public school located in the town of Big Rapids. Students from in state pay about $14,778 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,633 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Ferris State University earn a median of $62,832 early in their careers. Set against $19,633 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #8 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #9 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. 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. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #10 spot for tool & die technology/technician value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $5,250. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $47,718 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #11 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $48,619 early in their careers. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owens Community College placed #12 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,870 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #13 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $43,479 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #14 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $43,380. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Vincennes University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,932 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $54,908 early in their careers. Set against $10,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #16 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $8,109 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. That is a strong return on a $8,109 median debt.
Gateway Technical College placed #17 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $38,659. Set against $9,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest State Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Located in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,698, while out-of-state students pay about $9,170. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,565 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
