ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools in the Southwest Region

43 Colleges in the United States
1,059 Surgical Technology/Technologist Degrees Awarded
$49,803 Avg Early-Career Salary

Surgical Technology/Technologist programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 66 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best surgical technology/technologist schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/health-care-professions/allied-health-professions/surgical-technology-technologist/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 3
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 51.09), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Surgical Tech (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Surgical Tech (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "Surgical Tech (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" with relevance 1
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Surgical Tech (I Have a HS Diploma or Associate Degree)" ACCEPTED (relevance 1)
DEBUG: Checking offer "BS in Health Sciences" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "BS in Health Sciences" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 3
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 2 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 2
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 2 offers with relevance >= 1.0

Best Schools for Surgical Technology/Technologist in the Southwest Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the surgical technology/technologist degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Surgical Technology/Technologist

1
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Leading the list is Lone Star College System, our #1 school for surgical technology/technologist. This very large public university is located in the city of The Woodlands. There were roughly 19 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Lone Star College System in the most recent data year. Graduates of the surgical technology/technologist program make about $64,114 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,080. Read more about the surgical technology/technologist program at Lone Star College System

2
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in surgical technology/technologist, ranking #2. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. About 14 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at El Centro College in the most recent year. Students who receive their surgical technology/technologist degree from El Centro College earn around $73,102 in the first couple years of their career. El Centro College graduates carry a median of $15,926 in student loans. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for El Centro College

3

Houston Community College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in surgical technology/technologist, ranking #3. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Houston Community College awarded about 13 surgical technology/technologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their surgical technology/technologist degree from Houston Community College earn around $65,873 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,612 to complete this degree. Read more about the surgical technology/technologist program at Houston Community College

4

Tarrant County College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Tarrant County College District awarded about 28 surgical technology/technologist degrees in the most recent data year. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $57,721 early in their careers. Tarrant County College District graduates carry a median of $12,812 in student loans. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for Tarrant County College District

5

Gateway Community College Phoenix came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best surgical technology/technologist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Phoenix. Gateway Community College Phoenix awarded about 45 surgical technology/technologist degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Gateway Community College Phoenix generally make around $60,447. Gateway Community College Phoenix graduates carry a median of $15,313 in student loans. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for Gateway Community College Phoenix

6

Austin Community College District came in at #6 for surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. About 23 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at Austin Community College District in the most recent year. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $63,075 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,759. More information about a degree in surgical technology/technologist from Austin Community College District

7

San Jacinto Community College placed #7 among the best surgical technology/technologist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Pasadena. San Jacinto Community College awarded about 54 surgical technology/technologist degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the surgical technology/technologist program make about $58,037 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,157. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for San Jacinto Community College

8

Texas State Technical College landed the #8 spot for surgical technology/technologist this year. This large public university is located in the city of Waco. Texas State Technical College awarded about 90 surgical technology/technologist degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their surgical technology/technologist degree from Texas State Technical College earn around $54,492 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,455. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for Texas State Technical College

9

Pima Community College placed #9 among the best surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 10 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Pima Community College in the most recent data year. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Pima Community College earn a median of $47,906 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,993. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for Pima Community College

10

Central New Mexico Community College placed #10 among the best surgical technology/technologist schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Albuquerque. There were roughly 14 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Central New Mexico Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their surgical technology/technologist degree from Central New Mexico Community College earn around $57,486 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $10,833. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for Central New Mexico Community College

11

El Paso Community College placed #11 among the best surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. About 13 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at El Paso Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their surgical technology/technologist degree from El Paso Community College earn around $58,814 in the first couple years of their career. El Paso Community College graduates carry a median of $11,875 in student loans. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for El Paso Community College

12

Carrington College Phoenix came in at #12 for surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the city of Phoenix, Carrington College Phoenix is a small private for-profit university. There were roughly 22 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Carrington College Phoenix in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Carrington College Phoenix generally make around $37,814. Students borrow a median of $15,388 to complete this degree. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for Carrington College Phoenix

13

Mclennan Community College placed #13 among the best surgical technology/technologist schools. Set in the city of Waco, Mclennan Community College is a large public institution. There were roughly 11 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Mclennan Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Mclennan Community College generally make around $50,839. Students borrow a median of $12,858 to complete this degree. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for Mclennan Community College

14
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #14 spot for surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. About 10 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at Del Mar College in the most recent year. Graduates of the surgical technology/technologist program make about $52,431 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete this degree. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for Del Mar College

15

Collin County Community College District earned the #15 position for surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. There were roughly 34 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Collin County Community College District in the most recent data year. Graduates of the surgical technology/technologist program make about $52,904 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,519. Read more about the surgical technology/technologist program at Collin County Community College District

16

Tyler Junior College landed the #16 spot for surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Tyler, Tyler Junior College is a large public institution. There were roughly 24 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Tyler Junior College in the most recent data year. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Tyler Junior College earn a median of $56,686 early in their careers. Tyler Junior College graduates carry a median of $16,844 in student loans. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for Tyler Junior College

17
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College earned the #17 position for surgical technology/technologist this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. About 17 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at San Juan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their surgical technology/technologist degree from San Juan College earn around $48,862 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete this degree. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for San Juan College

18
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College came in at #18 for surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. About 20 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at Amarillo College in the most recent year. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $53,099 early in their careers. Amarillo College graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for Amarillo College

19
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College landed the #19 spot for surgical technology/technologist this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. About 16 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at St Philips College in the most recent year. Graduates of the surgical technology/technologist program make about $49,898 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,950. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for St Philips College

20

Paris Junior College placed #20 among the best surgical technology/technologist schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Paris. There were roughly 11 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Paris Junior College in the most recent data year. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Paris Junior College earn a median of $58,439 early in their careers. Paris Junior College graduates carry a median of $8,846 in student loans. More information about a degree in surgical technology/technologist from Paris Junior College

21
Howard College crest
Howard College
Big Spring, TX

Howard College landed the #21 spot for surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Big Spring, Howard College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 10 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at Howard College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Howard College generally make around $53,815. Students borrow a median of $14,866 to complete this degree. Read more about the surgical technology/technologist program at Howard College

22
Kilgore College crest
Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX

Kilgore College earned the #22 position for surgical technology/technologist this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Kilgore. About 24 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at Kilgore College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Kilgore College generally make around $44,322. Typical student debt for the program is $16,734. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for Kilgore College

23
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX

South Plains College landed the #23 spot for surgical technology/technologist this year. Set in the town of Levelland, South Plains College is a large public institution. There were roughly 27 surgical technology/technologist students who graduated with this degree at South Plains College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from South Plains College generally make around $30,949. Typical student debt for the program is $13,788. Get the full surgical technology/technologist details for South Plains College

24
Vernon College crest
Vernon College
Vernon, TX

Vernon College landed the #24 spot for surgical technology/technologist this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Vernon. About 14 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at Vernon College in the most recent year. Surgical Technology/technologist graduates of Vernon College earn a median of $45,097 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,260 to complete this degree. See the full surgical technology/technologist program report for Vernon College

25

Lamar State College Port Arthur placed #25 among the best surgical technology/technologist schools. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. About 13 surgical technology/technologist degrees were awarded at Lamar State College Port Arthur in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, surgical technology/technologist degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete this degree. Read more about the surgical technology/technologist program at Lamar State College Port Arthur

Rest of the Top 45 Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools

These schools also placed among the best for surgical technology/technologist this year:

26
27
28
29
Metro Technology Centers crest
Metro Technology Centers
Oklahoma City, OK
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Central Oklahoma College crest
Central Oklahoma College
Oklahoma City, OK

Narrow Surgical Technology/Technologist Schools by State

ADBLOCK #173
View All Surgical Technology/Technologist Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 66 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options