2026 Best Value Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/computer-numerically-controlled-cnc-machinist-technology-cnc-machinist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist schools.
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2026 Best Value Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist Schools
Southeast Community College Area tops our 2026 list of the best value computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Students borrow a median of $11,650 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $49,114. That is a strong return on a $11,650 median debt.
Kirkwood Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist, landing the #2 spot this year. Kirkwood Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cedar Rapids. Students from in state pay about $6,176 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $13,500. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Kirkwood Community College generally make around $48,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,788. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $16,135. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $27,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist schools. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, with out-of-state students paying around $6,456. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earned it the #5 place for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $5,479. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $43,588. Set against $5,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pine Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist schools. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $22,454. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $44,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
South Central College landed the #7 spot for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist value this year. South Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of North Mankato. In-state tuition and fees average $6,146. Students borrow a median of $3,666 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from South Central College generally make around $41,527. That is a strong return on a $3,666 median debt.
Hawkeye Community College earned the #8 position for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waterloo. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $7,874 in student loans. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Hawkeye Community College earn a median of $45,509 early in their careers. Set against $7,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hennepin Technical College landed the #9 spot for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist value this year. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates is $9,329. Early-career computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist graduates make about $56,143. That is a strong return on a $9,329 median debt.
Ridgewater College landed the #10 spot for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist value this year. Located in the town of Willmar, Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,121 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,750 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Ridgewater College earn a median of $44,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College earned the #11 position for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $49,636 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. 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. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $9,928 in student loans. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College earn a median of $50,842 early in their careers. Set against $9,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anoka Technical College landed the #13 spot for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist value this year. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. Students from in state pay about $6,267 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $8,692 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 $50,690. Set against $8,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington landed the #14 spot for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist value this year. Set in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $16,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #15 among the best values for computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,161. Students borrow a median of $24,036 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Minneapolis Community And Technical College generally make around $44,635. That is a strong return on a $24,036 median debt.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical came in at #16 for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. Located in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,432. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist degree recipients from Minnesota State College Southeast Technical generally make around $49,342. Set against $12,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College earned the #17 position for value in computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist this year. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,350 to complete the computer numerically controlled (cnc) machinist technology/cnc machinist program here. Computer Numerically Controlled (Cnc) Machinist Technology/cnc Machinist graduates of Lake Superior College earn a median of $43,610 early in their careers. Set against $13,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
