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2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Associate’s Degree Schools

250 Colleges in the United States
$17,363 Avg Student Debt
$39,547 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Associate's Degree Badge [Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong surgical technology/technologist education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 501 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the surgical technology/technologist degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools

1
St Petersburg College crest
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, FL

St Petersburg College tops our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools in the United States. Set in the city of St. Petersburg, St Petersburg College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,682, while out-of-state students pay about $9,286. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,000. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of St Petersburg College earn a median of $62,187 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, compared with $9,956 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.

3

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $11,699 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $60,744 early in their careers. Set against $11,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Pima Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Pima Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,996 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $9,996 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, which ranked #5. City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,169. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $63,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College earned the #6 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,352 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $62,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Central New Mexico Community College earned the #7 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,833 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,486. That is a strong return on a $10,833 median debt.

8

Frederick Community College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $16,348 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $59,579 early in their careers. Set against $16,348 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Southern Regional Technical College came in at #9 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,086. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $55,734 early in their careers. Set against $9,086 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Pensacola State College landed the #10 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,361, compared with $9,463 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pensacola State College earn a median of $52,274 early in their careers. Set against $9,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Central Piedmont Community College earned the #11 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $16,422 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Central Piedmont Community College earn a median of $61,455 early in their careers. Set against $16,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Durham Technical Community College placed #12 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,408. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,293. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College earned the #13 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,048. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,685 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,801. Set against $14,685 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Coastal Pines Technical College landed the #14 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $45,656. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.

15
Gulf Coast State College crest
Gulf Coast State College
Panama City, FL

Gulf Coast State College came in at #15 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Panama City, Gulf Coast State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,370 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,635. Students borrow a median of $11,345 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Gulf Coast State College generally make around $58,019. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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16

Florida State College At Jacksonville came in at #16 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $52,497. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt.

17

Cuyahoga Community College District placed #17 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,249, while out-of-state students pay about $7,249. Students borrow a median of $14,870 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Cuyahoga Community College District earn a median of $52,018 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,870 median debt.

18

Hillsborough Community College earned the #18 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Tampa, Hillsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,491 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,088. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,000. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,961. That is a strong return on a $18,000 median debt.

19

Hinds Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Students borrow a median of $18,752 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $56,165. Set against $18,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

El Paso Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Students borrow a median of $11,875 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $58,814. That is a strong return on a $11,875 median debt.

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21

Henry Ford Community College came in at #21 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Dearborn, Henry Ford Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,828 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $58,792 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College placed #22 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Students borrow a median of $14,285 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Triton College earn a median of $62,280 early in their careers. Set against $14,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

West Georgia Technical College came in at #23 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Clover Park Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,634. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $19,755. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $60,214. That is a strong return on a $19,755 median debt.

25
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #25 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $52,431. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s surgical technology/technologist value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM
35
36
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX
47
48
49
50

Other Surgical Technology/Technologist Degree Levels

Explore the best-value surgical technology/technologist schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Surgical Technology/Technologist
Bachelor's Degrees in Surgical Technology/Technologist
Master's Degrees in Surgical Technology/Technologist
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View All Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings >

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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 · 501 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 250 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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