2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Southwest Region
[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 66 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 Southwest 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 El Centro College this year. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $6,900. Students borrow a median of $15,926 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $73,102. That is a strong return on a $15,926 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Pima Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $9,993. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,906 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Central New Mexico Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $10,833. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,486. 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 El Paso Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,875. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $58,814. Set against $11,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $52,431 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College placed #6 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $48,862 early in their careers. Set against $16,150 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,970. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,323 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,185. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Philips College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Students borrow a median of $11,950 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $49,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District came in at #9 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,812. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $57,721 early in their careers. Set against $12,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oklahoma City Community College earned the #10 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,059, with out-of-state students paying around $9,810. Students borrow a median of $16,193 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $49,282. That is a strong return on a $16,193 median debt.
Austin Community College District landed the #11 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,759 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $63,075. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,750. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $53,099 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tulsa Community College came in at #13 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $54,621. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mclennan Community College landed the #14 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Mclennan Community College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, compared with $5,910 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $12,858 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $50,839. That is a strong return on a $12,858 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $33,385 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Houston Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Houston Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $2,040, compared with $5,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $15,612. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Houston Community College earn a median of $65,873 early in their careers. Set against $15,612 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vernon College placed #17 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Vernon, Vernon College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,720, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,260. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Vernon College generally make around $45,097. Set against $16,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, compared with $5,256 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $16,734 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,734 median debt.
Paris Junior College earned the #19 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Paris Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Paris. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,700, while out-of-state students pay about $5,700. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $58,439. Set against $8,846 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohave Community College placed #20 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Kingman. In-state tuition and fees average $2,208, compared with $7,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,250. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $56,999. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Central Texas College landed the #21 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, while out-of-state students pay about $5,739. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $19,425 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $59,650 early in their careers. Set against $19,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College placed #22 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,157 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from San Jacinto Community College generally make around $58,037. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Temple College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Temple College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Temple. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,524. Students borrow a median of $20,377 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,253. That is a strong return on a $20,377 median debt.
South Plains College came in at #24 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,733, with out-of-state students paying around $5,157. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $13,788. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of South Plains College earn a median of $30,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,788 median debt.
Galveston College earned the #25 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Galveston, Galveston College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,726, compared with $6,176 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,250 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $57,990. Set against $13,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for surgical technology/technologist this year:
Narrow Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools by State
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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 · 66 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.
