2026 Best Value Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/computer-numerically-controlled-cnc-machinist-technology-cnc-machinist/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 12 schools to find the best return on investment for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist students.
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2026 Best Value Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist Schools
For return on investment in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist, no school beat Snow College this year. Located in the town of Ephraim, Snow College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,338, compared with $14,288 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,440 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Snow College earn a median of $42,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,440 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $42,031. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Flathead Valley Community College one of the best values for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist. Flathead Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Kalispell. Students from in state pay about $4,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,659. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $16,094. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Flathead Valley Community College earn a median of $43,711 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Red Rocks Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Lakewood, Red Rocks Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,859, with out-of-state students paying around $17,459. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $14,471 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Red Rocks Community College generally make around $76,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Denver came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist schools. Located in the city of Denver, Community College Of Denver is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,058, with out-of-state students paying around $17,658. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $45,202. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Front Range Community College came in at #6 for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $8,347. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $34,125. Set against $8,347 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pueblo Community College earned the #7 position for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. Located in the city of Pueblo, Pueblo Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,049, while out-of-state students pay about $17,649. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $8,963. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Pueblo Community College earn a median of $34,843 early in their careers. Set against $8,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis Clark State College came in at #8 for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Lewis Clark State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,610, compared with $22,028 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,781 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $44,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Helena College University Of Montana placed #9 among the best values for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist. Located in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,106, while out-of-state students pay about $11,278. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $19,906 in student loans. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $47,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mesa State College landed the #10 spot for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist value this year. Mesa State College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Junction. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,927, compared with $25,124 for out-of-state students. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $22,310 in student loans. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $43,617. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Mesa State College admits about 82% of applicants.
Idaho State University landed the #11 spot for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist value this year. Idaho State University is a large public school located in the city of Pocatello. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,610, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of $64,581 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Montana State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist schools. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $23,635. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $47,703. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 12 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.
