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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Our analysis ranked Skyline College the best value for a degree in surgical technology/technologist in California. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Southwestern College Chula Vista one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Chula Vista, Southwestern College Chula Vista is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,344, compared with $10,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,205 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Southwestern College Chula Vista generally make around $49,358. Set against $11,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Fresno came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. San Joaquin Valley College Fresno is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Fresno. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Fresno earn a median of $69,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,931 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Bakersfield, San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield is a small private for-profit university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $24,931 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of San Joaquin Valley College Bakersfield earn a median of $69,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Mt Diablo Adult Education Mt Diablo Usd one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Mt Diablo Adult Education Mt Diablo Usd is a small public school located in the suburb of Concord. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Mt Diablo Adult Education Mt Diablo Usd earn a median of $88,513 early in their careers.
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Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista came in at #6 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. Students borrow a median of $30,160 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pima Medical Institute Chula Vista earn a median of $62,420 early in their careers. Set against $30,160 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Joaquin Valley College Temecula landed the #7 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Temecula, San Joaquin Valley College Temecula is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $24,931 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $69,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Concorde Career College San Bernardino earned the #8 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, Concorde Career College San Bernardino is a small private for-profit institution. 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. The acceptance rate is 98%.
San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova landed the #9 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Rancho Cordova, San Joaquin Valley College Rancho Cordova is a small private for-profit institution. 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 landed the #10 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. 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. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Cbd College generally make around $48,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Premiere Career College landed the #11 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Premiere Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Irwindale. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,763. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $37,302. That is a strong return on a $14,763 median debt.
Concorde Career College North Hollywood placed #12 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. Set against $24,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Concorde Career College North Hollywood admits about 100% of applicants.
American College Of Healthcare Riverside came in at #13 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. American College Of Healthcare Riverside is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $31,323. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Concorde Career College San Diego placed #14 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of San Diego, Concorde Career College San Diego is a small private for-profit institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Central Coast College earned the #15 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Central Coast College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Salinas. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $7,580 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Central Coast College earn a median of $31,707 early in their careers. Set against $7,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American Career College Anaheim landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. American Career College Anaheim is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Anaheim. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $25,593 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $55,379. That is a strong return on a $25,593 median debt.
American Career College Los Angeles ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. American Career College Los Angeles is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Los Angeles. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $25,593 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from American Career College Los Angeles generally make around $55,379. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Career Networks Institute came in at #18 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Career Networks Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $18,687 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Career Networks Institute earn a median of $43,465 early in their careers. Set against $18,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carrington College California San Jose came in at #19 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of San Jose, Carrington College California San Jose 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 Carrington College California San Jose generally make around $68,261. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North West College West Covina came in at #20 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the suburb of West Covina, North West College West Covina is a small private for-profit university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $19,589 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from North West College West Covina generally make around $38,180. That is a strong return on a $19,589 median debt.
American Career College Ontario came in at #21 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. American Career College Ontario is a mid-sized private for-profit school located in the city of Ontario. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $26,893 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $54,410. Set against $26,893 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North West College Riverside ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. North West College Riverside is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Riverside. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $38,666. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North West College Santa Ana came in at #23 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Anaheim, North West College Santa Ana 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 North West College Santa Ana generally make around $38,666. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
North West College Long Beach placed #24 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Long Beach, North West College Long Beach is a small private for-profit institution. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,000 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of North West College Long Beach earn a median of $38,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,000 median debt.
Glendale Career College came in at #25 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Glendale, Glendale Career College is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,237. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s surgical technology/technologist value ranking:
This ranking is produced 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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.