2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Iowa
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for surgical technology/technologist students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in Iowa
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
Leading the list is Western Iowa Tech Community College, our #1 best value for surgical technology/technologist in Iowa. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for surgical technology/technologist graduates is $7,935. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $43,254 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. 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. Set against $21,945 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Iowa Community College District earned it the #3 place for surgical technology/technologist. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $17,943 in student loans. 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.
A rank of #4 makes Des Moines Area Community College one of the best values for surgical technology/technologist. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates carry a median of $20,600 in student loans. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $51,185 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,600 median debt.
More Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings
View All Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings >
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
