2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the The Plains States 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 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 The Plains States 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 Hutchinson Community College this year. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Students borrow a median of $21,917 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $54,878. 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 Western Nebraska Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Saint Louis Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgeton, Saint Louis Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, compared with $6,990 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $13,750. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Saint Louis Community College earn a median of $53,829 early in their careers. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in surgical technology/technologist will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. That is a strong return on a $9,887 median debt.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a great value for students pursuing a degree in surgical technology/technologist, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $9,175 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $53,375. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #6 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Students borrow a median of $14,843 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $51,901. Set against $14,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area placed #7 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $17,713 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $48,917. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Iowa Tech Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $7,935 in student loans. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $43,254. Set against $7,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moberly Area Community College placed #9 among the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the town of Moberly, Moberly Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $8,640. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $12,507. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Moberly Area Community College earn a median of $44,755 early in their careers. Set against $12,507 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College landed the #10 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $20,096 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $48,313. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College came in at #11 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. Students from in state pay about $3,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,130 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Northeast Community College generally make around $40,568. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College landed the #12 spot for surgical technology/technologist value this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,945 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $52,364. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $17,943. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $42,927. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College earned the #14 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. Students from in state pay about $5,247 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Bismarck State College earn a median of $61,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #15 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wichita. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,237. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $11,828 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Wichita Area Technical College earn a median of $35,358 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,828 median debt.
North Central Missouri College earned the #16 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the town of Trenton, North Central Missouri College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,370, while out-of-state students pay about $8,820. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $16,685. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $40,934. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College earned the #17 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,124. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $22,917. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $65,019. That is a strong return on a $22,917 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,790 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $20,600. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $51,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minnesota State Community And Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Minnesota State Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Fergus Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,908 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,702 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Minnesota State Community And Technical College generally make around $55,649. That is a strong return on a $24,702 median debt.
Anoka Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,267. Students borrow a median of $23,673 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $62,699. Set against $23,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $13,946. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $43,009. Set against $13,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College generally make around $57,464. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn Institute Of Technology earned the #23 position for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Washburn Institute Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Topeka. In-state tuition and fees average $8,880. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $18,750. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Washburn Institute Of Technology earn a median of $59,779 early in their careers. Set against $18,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washburn University came in at #24 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Topeka, Washburn University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,945, with out-of-state students paying around $20,949. Students borrow a median of $22,083 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $62,106. That is a strong return on a $22,083 median debt.
East Central College came in at #25 for value in surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the town of Union, East Central College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,062 to complete the surgical technology/technologist program here. Early-career surgical technology/technologist graduates make about $37,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 35 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
This list is compiled 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 · 46 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
