2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Illinois

1

City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College
Chicago, IL

Leading the list is City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College, our #1 best value for surgical technology/technologist in Illinois. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,924. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Malcolm X College earn a median of $46,222 early in their careers. Set against $12,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,070 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,285 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $62,280. Set against $14,285 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,897. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $52,750. Set against $14,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $11,064. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $13,209 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $35,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. Students from in state pay about $3,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $7,727. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage came in at #6 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,560 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $58,004. That is a strong return on a $14,349 median debt.

7

Richland Community College
Decatur, IL

Richland Community College came in at #7 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, while out-of-state students pay about $17,070. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College earned the #8 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, while out-of-state students pay about $11,874. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $13,842. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $64,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County earned the #9 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,103 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College came in at #10 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rockford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,236. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $41,080. That is a strong return on a $9,236 median debt.

11

Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College earned the #11 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $55,060 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

Illinois Central College landed the #12 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the suburb of East Peoria, Illinois Central College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, compared with $12,150 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $56,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Midwestern Career College
Chicago, IL

Midwestern Career College landed the #13 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Chicago, Midwestern Career College is a small private for-profit university. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,084 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Midwestern Career College earn a median of $43,528 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,084 median debt.

14

Rasmussen College Illinois
Rockford, IL

Rasmussen College Illinois came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rasmussen College Illinois is a mid-sized private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,581. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $51,036. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College
Rockford, IL

Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Rockford, Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College is a small private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,699. Students borrow a median of $18,007 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Stautzenberger College Rockford Career College earn a median of $42,769 early in their careers. Set against $18,007 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Roosevelt University
Chicago, IL

Roosevelt University earned the #16 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Roosevelt University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,315. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $23,879. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Roosevelt University generally make around $50,101. Set against $23,879 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.

17

Stellar Career College
Chicago, IL

Stellar Career College landed the #17 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Stellar Career College is a small private for-profit institution. Median earnings reach $30,337 ten years out.