2026 Best Value Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools

1

West Georgia Technical College
Waco, GA

Our analysis ranked West Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in machine shop technology/assistant in the United States. Set in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $8,000. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from West Georgia Technical College generally make around $39,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

South Georgia Technical College
Americus, GA

A rank of #2 makes South Georgia Technical College one of the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,992, while out-of-state students pay about $7,202. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Rome, GA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Northwestern Technical College earned it the #3 place for machine shop technology/assistant. Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rome. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $5,868. Students borrow a median of $8,492 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Georgia Northwestern Technical College earn a median of $38,002 early in their careers. Set against $8,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC

Central Piedmont Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value machine shop technology/assistant schools. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $40,149. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Coastal Pines Technical College
Waycross, GA

Coastal Pines Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine shop technology/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,268 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $39,090 early in their careers. Set against $5,812 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College
Bowling Green, KY

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #6 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $9,413. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College generally make around $49,879. That is a strong return on a $9,413 median debt.

7

Oconee Fall Line Technical College
Sandersville, GA

Oconee Fall Line Technical College landed the #7 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Sandersville, Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Owensboro Community And Technical College
Owensboro, KY

Owensboro Community And Technical College earned the #8 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Owensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,475 in student loans. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $45,366. Set against $7,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Rockingham Community College
Wentworth, NC

Rockingham Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value machine shop technology/assistant schools. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, while out-of-state students pay about $6,574. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $50,048. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College placed #10 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College
Valdosta, GA

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College landed the #11 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Set in the rural area of Valdosta, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,480, while out-of-state students pay about $6,048. Students borrow a median of $10,864 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $40,452. That is a strong return on a $10,864 median debt.

12

Somerset Community College
Somerset, KY

Somerset Community College came in at #12 for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $8,439 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Somerset Community College generally make around $41,415. That is a strong return on a $8,439 median debt.

13

Hazard Community And Technical College
Hazard, KY

Hazard Community And Technical College landed the #13 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Set in the town of Hazard, Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $12,212 in student loans. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Hazard Community And Technical College earn a median of $32,626 early in their careers. Set against $12,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Copiah Lincoln Community College
Wesson, MS

Copiah Lincoln Community College placed #14 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Set in the rural area of Wesson, Copiah Lincoln Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $5,200 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $31,241 ten years after entry.

15

Chattahoochee Technical College
Marietta, GA

Chattahoochee Technical College came in at #15 for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Set in the suburb of Marietta, Chattahoochee Technical College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,540, while out-of-state students pay about $6,108. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $9,616 in student loans. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Southern Crescent Technical College
Griffin, GA

Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #16 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Set in the town of Griffin, Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,516, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $45,062. That is a strong return on a $17,619 median debt.

17

Hopkinsville Community College
Hopkinsville, KY

Hopkinsville Community College landed the #17 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $13,269. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

West Virginia University At Parkersburg
Parkersburg, WV

West Virginia University At Parkersburg earned the #18 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, compared with $9,424 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,595 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from West Virginia University At Parkersburg generally make around $45,400. Set against $15,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Ashland Community And Technical College
Ashland, KY

Ashland Community And Technical College placed #19 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $5,500. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $36,796 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

North Georgia Technical College
Clarkesville, GA

North Georgia Technical College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value machine shop technology/assistant schools. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,330, while out-of-state students pay about $5,898. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $12,279. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of North Georgia Technical College earn a median of $45,472 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,279 median debt.

21

Northwest Shoals Community College
Muscle Shoals, AL

Northwest Shoals Community College landed the #21 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Muscle Shoals, Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,131, while out-of-state students pay about $9,001. Students borrow a median of $13,312 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Northwest Shoals Community College generally make around $33,842. Set against $13,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Mid South Community College
West Memphis, AR

Mid South Community College earned the #22 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. Students from in state pay about $3,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,824. Median earnings reach $31,857 ten years out.

23

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins
Warner Robins, GA

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins earned the #23 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public school located in the city of Warner Robins. Students from in state pay about $3,448 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,016. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $4,997. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $29,107. Set against $4,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College
Cumberland, KY

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College placed #24 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Located in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $9,687. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $30,566. Set against $9,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Ogden Weber Technical College
Ogden, UT

Ogden Weber Technical College earned the #25 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Ogden Weber Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Ogden. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $8,833. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Ogden Weber Technical College generally make around $39,699. Set against $8,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.