2026 Best Value Science Technologies / Technicians Associate’s Degree Schools

[Science Technologies / Technicians](/majors/science-technologies-technicians/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong science technologies / technicians education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 298 schools to find the best return on investment for science technologies / technicians students.
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2026 Best Value Science Technologies / Technicians Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in science technologies / technicians, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Science Technologies / Technicians Schools
Leading the list is Brazosport College, our #1 best value for science technologies / technicians in the United States. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Frederick Community College one of the best values for science technologies / technicians. Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Frederick. Students from in state pay about $3,849 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $9,725. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $43,733. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Mainland is a great value for students pursuing a degree in science technologies / technicians, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,310, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $49,694. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Seminole State College Of Florida earned it the #4 place for science technologies / technicians. Seminole State College Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Sanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,122, while out-of-state students pay about $11,447. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $10,875. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $48,049. That is a strong return on a $10,875 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Alvin Community College one of the best values for science technologies / technicians. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $7,839 in student loans. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $54,543. That is a strong return on a $7,839 median debt.
Southern Regional Technical College came in at #6 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, while out-of-state students pay about $5,575. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex Community College Bedford came in at #7 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $11,245. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $48,427. That is a strong return on a $11,245 median debt.
Del Mar College landed the #8 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $56,948. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wiregrass Georgia Technical College came in at #9 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,480, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $10,864 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Wiregrass Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value science technologies / technicians schools. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,832, compared with $13,824 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $49,932. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #11 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,016. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $11,693. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $39,765. That is a strong return on a $11,693 median debt.
Chattahoochee Technical College earned the #12 position for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Located in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, compared with $6,108 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Chattahoochee Technical College earn a median of $44,673 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,616 median debt.
Atlanta Technical College placed #13 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Atlanta Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $3,382, compared with $5,950 for out-of-state students. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $17,655 in student loans. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Atlanta Technical College earn a median of $35,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College earned the #14 position for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Students borrow a median of $12,024 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $53,078. Set against $12,024 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #15 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,516, with out-of-state students paying around $6,084. Students borrow a median of $17,619 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.
Ashland Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $10,867 in student loans. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $61,539 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,867 median debt.
Bridgevalley Community And Technical College landed the #17 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Located in the suburb of South Charleston, Bridgevalley Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,800, while out-of-state students pay about $12,428. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $11,958. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Bridgevalley Community And Technical College earn a median of $46,587 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,958 median debt.
Victoria College landed the #18 spot for science technologies / technicians value this year. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $10,910. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $50,201. Set against $10,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur came in at #19 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Set in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, with out-of-state students paying around $8,070. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Set against $33,385 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wharton County Junior College came in at #20 for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Early-career science technologies / technicians graduates make about $45,277. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt.
Northern New Mexico College placed #21 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Northern New Mexico College is a small public school located in the town of Espanola. In-state tuition and fees average $5,064, with out-of-state students paying around $14,328. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,112 ten years after entry.
Ogeechee Technical College placed #22 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Set in the town of Statesboro, Ogeechee Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,388, compared with $5,956 for out-of-state students. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $11,894 in student loans. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Ogeechee Technical College earn a median of $35,521 early in their careers. Set against $11,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lanier Technical College earned the #23 position for value in science technologies / technicians this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, Lanier Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,980 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,190. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates carry a median of $12,278 in student loans. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Lanier Technical College generally make around $37,118. Set against $12,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Savannah Technical College placed #24 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Savannah Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Savannah. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, with out-of-state students paying around $5,898. Students borrow a median of $12,843 to complete the science technologies / technicians program here. Science Technologies / Technicians graduates of Savannah Technical College earn a median of $37,386 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Athens Technical College placed #25 among the best values for science technologies / technicians. Athens Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,958. Typical student debt for science technologies / technicians graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, science technologies / technicians degree recipients from Athens Technical College generally make around $41,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Science Technologies / Technicians Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s science technologies / technicians value ranking:
Other Science Technologies / Technicians Degree Levels
Explore the best-value science technologies / technicians schools at other degree levels:
View All Science Technologies / Technicians Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 298 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.