2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Michigan
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for surgical technology/technologist students.
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2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Michigan
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
Henry Ford Community College earned the #1 spot for value among surgical technology/technologist schools in Michigan. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,816. Students borrow a median of $20,828 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Henry Ford Community College generally make around $58,792. That is a strong return on a $20,828 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Washtenaw Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,736, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $25,418. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $54,371. That is a strong return on a $25,418 median debt.
Lansing Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,172. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,457. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at Delta College, which ranked #4. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $14,601. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Delta College earn a median of $52,791 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oakland Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, compared with $5,560 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,339 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Oakland Community College earn a median of $46,485 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schoolcraft College placed #6 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,799, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,677 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Schoolcraft College earn a median of $46,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Macomb Community College came in at #7 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $8,350 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,326. That is a strong return on a $8,350 median debt.
Wayne County Community College District ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne County Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,112, compared with $4,067 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,820. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Wayne County Community College District earn a median of $48,892 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,820 median debt.
Kirtland Community College earned the #9 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the rural area of Grayling, Kirtland Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Kirtland Community College generally make around $58,850. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Grand Rapids Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,780 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Grand Rapids Community College generally make around $41,689. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Michigan College landed the #11 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the rural area of Benton Harbor, Lake Michigan College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,445, while out-of-state students pay about $7,755. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $13,995 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,596. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Baker College Of Flint placed #12 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Owosso, Baker College Of Flint is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,000. Students borrow a median of $22,070 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Baker College Of Flint generally make around $46,984. That is a strong return on a $22,070 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Siena Heights University came in at #13 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the town of Adrian, Siena Heights University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $30,778. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Siena Heights University earn a median of $76,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Michigan University came in at #14 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,855. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Abcott Institute earned the #15 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Southfield, Abcott Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $18,595 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Abcott Institute generally make around $41,764. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
