by our College Data Analytics Team
[Surgical Technology/Technologist](/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong surgical technology/technologist education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 44 schools to find the best return on investment for surgical technology/technologist students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Skyline College tops our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools in the Far Western Region. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at Bellingham Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,431, with out-of-state students paying around $5,809. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,748.
Clover Park Technical College came in at #3 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. In-state tuition and fees average $6,634. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $19,755 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $60,214. That is a strong return on a $19,755 median debt.
Seattle Community College Central Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Nevada earned it the #5 place for surgical technology/technologist. College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public school located in the city of Las Vegas. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, while out-of-state students pay about $13,024. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,600 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of College Of Southern Nevada earn a median of $64,976 early in their careers. Set against $11,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
1
2
3
4
5
Spokane Community College earned the #6 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, with out-of-state students paying around $6,612. Students borrow a median of $20,183 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Spokane Community College earn a median of $63,228 early in their careers. Set against $20,183 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Renton Technical College earned the #7 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,582 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $80,411. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Students from in state pay about $6,555 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,170 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $64,223. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Mt Hood Community College placed #9 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the suburb of Gresham, Mt Hood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,247, with out-of-state students paying around $9,819. Students borrow a median of $21,431 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $60,687. That is a strong return on a $21,431 median debt.
Southwestern College Chula Vista landed the #10 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public school located in the city of Chula Vista. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, with out-of-state students paying around $10,640. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Yakima Valley Community College earned the #11 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Yakima, Yakima Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,312, with out-of-state students paying around $5,873. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $17,697. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Yakima Valley Community College earn a median of $50,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn Benton Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Albany, Linn Benton Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,317, while out-of-state students pay about $16,736. Students borrow a median of $20,185 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $47,729. That is a strong return on a $20,185 median debt.
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno earned the #13 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Fresno, San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $24,931. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $69,391. Set against $24,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield generally make around $69,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mt Diablo Adult Education Mt Diablo Usd placed #15 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the suburb of Concord, Mt Diablo Adult Education Mt Diablo Usd is a small public university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Mt Diablo Adult Education Mt Diablo Usd earn a median of $88,513 early in their careers.
Concorde Career College Portland landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Concorde Career College Portland is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Portland. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Concorde Career College Portland earn a median of $60,921 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista earned the #17 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chula Vista. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $30,160. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista earn a median of $62,420 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula came in at #18 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $24,931. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Temecula generally make around $69,391. That is a strong return on a $24,931 median debt.
Concorde Career College San Bernardino came in at #19 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of San Bernardino, Concorde Career College San Bernardino is a small private for-profit university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,538 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Concorde Career College San Bernardino generally make around $42,843. That is a strong return on a $17,538 median debt. Concorde Career College San Bernardino admits about 98% of applicants.
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova placed #20 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Rancho Cordova. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $24,931. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova generally make around $69,391. That is a strong return on a $24,931 median debt.
Cbd College placed #21 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Los Angeles, Cbd College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $20,702 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Cbd College earn a median of $48,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career College North Hollywood placed #22 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of North Hollywood, Concorde Career College North Hollywood is a small private for-profit institution. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $24,375 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Concorde Career College North Hollywood earn a median of $55,067 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Premiere Career College landed the #23 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Premiere Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Irwindale. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,763 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Premiere Career College generally make around $37,302. That is a strong return on a $14,763 median debt.
American College Of Healthcare Riverside earned the #24 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Riverside, American College Of Healthcare Riverside is a small private for-profit university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from American College Of Healthcare Riverside generally make around $31,323. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Concorde Career College San Diego came in at #25 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of San Diego, Concorde Career College San Diego is a small private for-profit university. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,000. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Concorde Career College San Diego generally make around $50,059. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s surgical technology/technologist value ranking:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 44 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.