2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Middle Atlantic 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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 49 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 the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in surgical technology/technologist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
For return on investment in surgical technology/technologist, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Located in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,348. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Frederick Community College generally make around $59,579. That is a strong return on a $16,348 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Kingsborough Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $57,943. Set against $7,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at Nassau Community College, which ranked #3. Nassau Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Garden City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $81,810. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at The Community College Of Baltimore County, which ranked #5. The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,110, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,200 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $69,015 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chesapeake College landed the #6 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wye Mills. Students from in state pay about $4,274 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,768. Students borrow a median of $8,380 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $55,483. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $20,197 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $63,744. That is a strong return on a $20,197 median debt.
Westmoreland County Community College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the suburb of Youngwood, Westmoreland County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,306 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,728. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,439. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Monroe Community College earned the #9 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $16,625 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $47,956 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,625 median debt.
Montgomery College came in at #10 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,230. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Set against $11,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Dover, Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $15,150 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $57,328. Set against $15,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College placed #12 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $52,564. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt.
Onondaga Community College earned the #13 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. Set against $12,623 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware County Community College landed the #14 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $21,136. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $65,167. That is a strong return on a $21,136 median debt.
Passaic County Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,581. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College earned the #16 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Bergen Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Paramus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,913, compared with $9,294 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,345 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Bergen Community College generally make around $64,743. Set against $16,345 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Allegheny County landed the #17 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,956, with out-of-state students paying around $12,583. Students borrow a median of $23,623 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,189. That is a strong return on a $23,623 median debt.
Baltimore City Community College placed #18 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Baltimore, Baltimore City Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,314, while out-of-state students pay about $7,394. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,202. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Baltimore City Community College generally make around $51,023. That is a strong return on a $11,202 median debt.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,614 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $52,722. That is a strong return on a $18,614 median debt.
Atlantic Cape Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the rural area of Mays Landing, Atlantic Cape Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,594, with out-of-state students paying around $8,350. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,002 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Atlantic Cape Community College earn a median of $37,141 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Prince Georges Community College placed #21 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the suburb of Largo, Prince Georges Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,034, compared with $8,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,172 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $68,506. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe College Main Campus landed the #22 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,464. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,250. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Monroe College Main Campus generally make around $37,705. Set against $15,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Luzerne County Community College came in at #23 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the suburb of Nanticoke, Luzerne County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,600, with out-of-state students paying around $16,260. Students borrow a median of $17,741 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Luzerne County Community College earn a median of $51,058 early in their careers. Set against $17,741 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montgomery County Community College placed #24 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,690 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,250. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Montgomery County Community College generally make around $48,626. Set against $20,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anne Arundel Community College landed the #25 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $23,125. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $87,190. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s surgical technology/technologist value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 49 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
