2026 Best Value Sterile Processing Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Sterile Processing Technology/Technician](/majors/health-care-professions/clinical-medical-lab-science/sterile-processing-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 31 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sterile processing technology/technician students.
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2026 Best Value Sterile Processing Technology/Technician Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sterile processing technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Sterile Processing Technology/Technician Schools
For return on investment in sterile processing technology/technician, no school beat Washtenaw Community College this year. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Early-career sterile processing technology/technician graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lansing Community College earned it the #2 place for sterile processing technology/technician. Located in the city of Lansing, Lansing Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Typical student debt for sterile processing technology/technician graduates is $16,700. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from Lansing Community College generally make around $46,103. Set against $16,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sterile processing technology/technician will find it at Cuyahoga Community College District, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,249, compared with $7,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,636 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Early-career sterile processing technology/technician graduates make about $39,394. That is a strong return on a $14,636 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in sterile processing technology/technician will find it at Triton College, which ranked #4. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, with out-of-state students paying around $15,330. Typical student debt for sterile processing technology/technician graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in sterile processing technology/technician will find it at Lorain County Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $17,611 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Sinclair Community College landed the #6 spot for sterile processing technology/technician value this year. Sinclair Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,675, with out-of-state students paying around $8,556. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,822 in student loans. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $45,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Harper College landed the #7 spot for sterile processing technology/technician value this year. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Dupage landed the #8 spot for sterile processing technology/technician value this year. College Of Dupage is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, with out-of-state students paying around $12,750. Students borrow a median of $12,492 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Dupage generally make around $43,025. That is a strong return on a $12,492 median debt.
Oakton Community College earned the #9 position for value in sterile processing technology/technician this year. Oakton Community College is a large public school located in the city of Des Plaines. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,985, with out-of-state students paying around $12,462. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from Oakton Community College generally make around $48,838. Set against $7,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schoolcraft College landed the #10 spot for sterile processing technology/technician value this year. Set in the city of Livonia, Schoolcraft College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,501. Typical student debt for sterile processing technology/technician graduates is $15,677. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from Schoolcraft College generally make around $46,283. That is a strong return on a $15,677 median debt.
Ivy Tech Community College placed #11 among the best values for sterile processing technology/technician. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $14,163 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $36,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stark State College placed #12 among the best values for sterile processing technology/technician. Stark State College is a large public school located in the suburb of North Canton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,790, with out-of-state students paying around $7,886. Students borrow a median of $17,349 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Stark State College earn a median of $42,724 early in their careers. Set against $17,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Parkland College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sterile processing technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,284, while out-of-state students pay about $13,266. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #14 for value in sterile processing technology/technician this year. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Early-career sterile processing technology/technician graduates make about $33,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid State Technical College placed #15 among the best values for sterile processing technology/technician. Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids. In-state tuition and fees average $5,002, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sterile processing technology/technician graduates is $11,626. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,626 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College earned the #16 position for value in sterile processing technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Wausau, Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,709 in student loans. Early-career sterile processing technology/technician graduates make about $41,696. Set against $11,709 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midwestern Career College placed #17 among the best values for sterile processing technology/technician. Midwestern Career College is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. Typical student debt for sterile processing technology/technician graduates is $9,750. Early-career sterile processing technology/technician graduates make about $33,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College landed the #18 spot for sterile processing technology/technician value this year. Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $27,066 in student loans. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $47,505 early in their careers. Set against $27,066 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Herzing University Madison came in at #19 for value in sterile processing technology/technician this year. Set in the city of Madison, Herzing University Madison is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $13,450 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for sterile processing technology/technician graduates is $30,328. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Herzing University Madison earn a median of $53,203 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $30,328 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Abcott Institute came in at #20 for value in sterile processing technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Southfield, Abcott Institute is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete the sterile processing technology/technician program here. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Abcott Institute earn a median of $27,774 early in their careers. Set against $13,296 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dorsey Business Schools Southgate earned the #21 position for value in sterile processing technology/technician this year. Dorsey Business Schools Southgate is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Madison Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Typical student debt for sterile processing technology/technician graduates is $15,402. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates of Dorsey Business Schools Southgate earn a median of $31,951 early in their careers. Set against $15,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dorsey Business Schools Roseville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value sterile processing technology/technician schools. Dorsey Business Schools Roseville is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Roseville. In-state tuition and fees average $16,990. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,721 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sterile processing technology/technician degree recipients from Dorsey Business Schools Roseville generally make around $24,966. Set against $15,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dorsey College Woodhaven landed the #23 spot for sterile processing technology/technician value this year. Located in the suburb of Woodhaven, Dorsey College Woodhaven is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Sterile Processing Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,527 in student loans. Early-career sterile processing technology/technician graduates make about $26,412. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
