2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Wisconsin
[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 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 17 schools to find the best return on investment for surgical technology/technologist students.
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2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Wisconsin
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
Gateway Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among surgical technology/technologist schools in Wisconsin. Located in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $7,199. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $14,186 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $61,095 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,624 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $58,444. That is a strong return on a $20,624 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Milwaukee Area Technical College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $23,038. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $54,937 early in their careers. Set against $23,038 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,067. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $46,439. That is a strong return on a $11,067 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,318 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $53,522 early in their careers. Set against $16,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,904, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,112 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $42,087. That is a strong return on a $12,112 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College landed the #7 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, while out-of-state students pay about $6,803. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,256. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $13,319. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $44,020. Set against $13,319 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College landed the #9 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,171. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,088 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Mid State Technical College generally make around $52,536. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College placed #10 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $8,565 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $41,893. That is a strong return on a $8,565 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #11 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,935 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $45,531. Set against $15,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross came in at #12 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,820, while out-of-state students pay about $7,078. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,201. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $53,085 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Madison Area Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Madison Area Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Students borrow a median of $19,946 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $59,826 early in their careers. Set against $19,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Herzing University Madison earned the #14 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,450. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $17,219. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Herzing University Madison earn a median of $50,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Herzing University Madison admits about 94% of applicants.
Bellin College placed #15 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the suburb of Green Bay, Bellin College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $30,658. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $22,588. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Bellin College generally make around $57,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
More Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
