2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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 84 schools to find the best return on investment for surgical technology/technologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Our analysis ranked City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College the best value for a degree in surgical technology/technologist in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,924 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,222. That is a strong return on a $12,924 median debt.
Cuyahoga Community College District is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lansing Community 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 Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Students borrow a median of $20,172 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,457. Set against $20,172 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washtenaw Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $25,418. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $54,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Triton College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,285 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Henry Ford Community College placed #6 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Henry Ford Community College is a large public school located in the city of Dearborn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,568, compared with $7,816 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,828 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Henry Ford Community College earn a median of $58,792 early in their careers. Set against $20,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,880. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,601 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $52,791. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lorain County Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,298 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $47,399. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central State College placed #9 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the rural area of Mansfield, North Central State College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,786, with out-of-state students paying around $11,374. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,475. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from North Central State College generally make around $47,458. That is a strong return on a $12,475 median debt.
Oakland Community College came in at #10 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of Auburn Hills, Oakland Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,339. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $46,485. That is a strong return on a $16,339 median debt.
Lincoln Land Community College placed #11 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,897 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $52,750. That is a strong return on a $14,897 median debt.
Sinclair Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,593 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $46,633. That is a strong return on a $15,593 median debt.
Elgin Community College landed the #13 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College placed #14 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $13,842 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $64,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College earned the #15 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Macomb Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Warren. Students from in state pay about $3,660 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $8,350 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $57,326 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College came in at #16 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,799, compared with $6,501 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,677. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prairie State College placed #17 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, compared with $11,064 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,209 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Prairie State College earn a median of $35,362 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,209 median debt.
College Of Dupage placed #18 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $12,750 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,349 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of College Of Dupage earn a median of $58,004 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,349 median debt.
College Of Lake County earned the #19 position for value in surgical technology/technologist 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, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,785 median debt.
Richland Community College placed #20 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $46,542. That is a strong return on a $9,562 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #21 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,696 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $64,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,696 median debt.
Marion Technical College earned the #22 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Marion, Marion Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,595, while out-of-state students pay about $11,225. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $10,178. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Marion Technical College generally make around $45,850. Set against $10,178 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #23 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,668. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $56,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbus State Community College landed the #24 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Stark State College came in at #25 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of North Canton, Stark State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,790, compared with $7,886 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,860 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Stark State College generally make around $51,690. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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:
Narrow Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools by State
More Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings
View All Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 84 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
