[Tool & Die Technology/Technician](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/tool-and-die-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong tool & die technology/technician education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the tool & die technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in tool & die technology/technician, no school beat Marshalltown Community College 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $11,577. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $45,972 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at Wichita Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,564 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $30,515. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Southeast Community College Area earned it the #3 place for tool & die technology/technician. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, while out-of-state students pay about $4,032. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $11,650. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $49,114. Set against $11,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at North Iowa Area Community College, which ranked #4. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Hennepin Technical College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,329 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $56,143 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $39,397 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Narrow Tool & Die Technology/Technician Schools by State
More Tool & Die Technology/Technician Rankings
View All Tool & Die Technology/Technician Rankings >
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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
