2026 Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Pharmacy Technician/Assistant](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-medical-assisting-services/pharmacy-technician-assistant/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 44 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for pharmacy technician/assistant students.
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2026 Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the pharmacy technician/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools
City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College tops our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy technician/assistant schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $36,524 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in pharmacy technician/assistant, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $8,801. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Lewis And Clark Community College earn a median of $31,916 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #3 place for pharmacy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $16,700. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Lansing Community College earn a median of $46,103 early in their careers. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in pharmacy technician/assistant will find it at Henry Ford Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,816. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $17,369 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,750 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuyahoga Community College District earned it the #5 place for pharmacy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $38,335 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College earned the #6 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,675 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $38,545. That is a strong return on a $12,988 median debt.
North Central State College landed the #7 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. North Central State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mansfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, compared with $11,374 for out-of-state students. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,667 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $34,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakton Community College placed #8 among the best values for pharmacy technician/assistant. Set in the city of Des Plaines, Oakton Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,985, while out-of-state students pay about $12,462. Students borrow a median of $7,750 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Oakton Community College earn a median of $52,161 early in their careers. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Marion Technical College came in at #9 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marion. Students from in state pay about $6,595 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,196 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $48,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County earned the #10 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, compared with $14,400 for out-of-state students. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $50,314. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #11 among the best values for pharmacy technician/assistant. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,227 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $34,001 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,227 median debt.
Columbus State Community College landed the #12 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,488 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #13 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,230, with out-of-state students paying around $6,720. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $10,388. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $44,345. That is a strong return on a $10,388 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College placed #14 among the best values for pharmacy technician/assistant. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $42,970. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College placed #15 among the best values for pharmacy technician/assistant. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $9,834. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $42,410 early in their careers. Set against $9,834 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James A Rhodes State College earned the #16 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. James A Rhodes State College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Lima. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $9,120. Students borrow a median of $9,929 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $47,074. Set against $9,929 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Milwaukee Area Technical College earned the #17 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $16,699. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $34,507. That is a strong return on a $16,699 median debt.
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College came in at #18 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,260, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $9,434. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $38,331 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,434 median debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value pharmacy technician/assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,411 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $42,087. Set against $9,411 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Blackhawk Technical College earned the #20 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Located in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,803. Typical student debt for pharmacy technician/assistant graduates is $7,743. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $44,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Vincennes University earned the #21 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Located in the town of Vincennes, Vincennes University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, while out-of-state students pay about $16,858. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $42,131. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College came in at #22 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,160 in student loans. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $41,678. That is a strong return on a $11,160 median debt.
Mid Michigan Community College landed the #23 spot for pharmacy technician/assistant value this year. Mid Michigan Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Harrison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,132, while out-of-state students pay about $10,864. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $18,878 in student loans. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $43,078. That is a strong return on a $18,878 median debt.
Heartland Community College came in at #24 for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $13,110 for out-of-state students. Pharmacy Technician/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, pharmacy technician/assistant degree recipients from Heartland Community College generally make around $48,710. That is a strong return on a $13,266 median debt.
Purdue University Global earned the #25 position for value in pharmacy technician/assistant this year. Purdue University Global is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,101, compared with $14,412 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the pharmacy technician/assistant program here. Early-career pharmacy technician/assistant graduates make about $54,278. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for pharmacy technician/assistant this year:
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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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
