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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region

3 Colleges in the United States
$11,324 Avg Student Debt
$34,433 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Badge [Machine Shop Technology/Assistant](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/machine-shop-technology-assistant/) 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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 72 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for machine shop technology/assistant students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools in the Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the machine shop technology/assistant degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools

1

Our analysis ranked West Georgia Technical College the best value for a degree in machine shop technology/assistant in the Southeast Region. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. In-state tuition and fees average $3,410, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $8,000. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of South Georgia Technical College earn a median of $40,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.

3

Coastal Pines Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value machine shop technology/assistant schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $5,812. 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.

4

A rank of #4 makes Georgia Northwestern Technical College one of the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Located in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $38,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine shop technology/assistant, landing the #5 spot this year. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,380, compared with $5,948 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $12,718. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $38,673. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value machine shop technology/assistant schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College landed the #7 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,413 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. 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.

8

Rockingham Community College earned the #8 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

9

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College placed #9 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Valdosta. Students from in state pay about $3,480 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,048 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $10,864. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $40,452. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Hazard Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant 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. Students borrow a median of $12,212 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. 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.

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11

Copiah Lincoln Community College placed #11 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $5,200. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,241.

12

Somerset Community College earned the #12 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Located in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, 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. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $41,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #13 for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $7,475 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Owensboro Community And Technical College generally make around $45,366. That is a strong return on a $7,475 median debt.

14

West Virginia University At Parkersburg placed #14 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Set in the rural area of Parkersburg, West Virginia University At Parkersburg is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,476, while out-of-state students pay about $9,424. 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.

15

Mid South Community College landed the #15 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Mid South Community College is a small public school located in the suburb of West Memphis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,126, compared with $4,824 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $31,857.

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16

Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #16 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. 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 $9,687 in student loans. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $30,566. That is a strong return on a $9,687 median debt.

17

Hopkinsville Community College placed #17 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. Set in the town of Hopkinsville, Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $13,269 in student loans. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,269 median debt.

18

Chattahoochee Technical College placed #18 among the best values for machine shop technology/assistant. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $6,108. Students borrow a median of $9,616 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Chattahoochee Technical College generally make around $44,673. Set against $9,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

North Georgia Technical College came in at #19 for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Clarkesville, North Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,330, compared with $5,898 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,279 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Early-career machine shop technology/assistant graduates make about $45,472. Set against $12,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Southern Crescent Technical College landed the #20 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Southern Crescent Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Griffin. Students from in state pay about $3,516 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,084. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $17,619 in student loans. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Southern Crescent Technical College earn a median of $45,062 early in their careers. Set against $17,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Northwest Shoals Community College came in at #21 for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Northwest Shoals Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Muscle Shoals. Students from in state pay about $5,131 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $13,312 median debt.

22

Haywood Community College earned the #22 position for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Located in the rural area of Clyde, Haywood Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,724. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Haywood Community College earn a median of $35,767 early in their careers.

23

Ashland Community And Technical College landed the #23 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the machine shop technology/assistant program here. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates of Ashland Community And Technical College earn a median of $36,796 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

24

Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins came in at #24 for value in machine shop technology/assistant this year. Located in the city of Warner Robins, Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,448, compared with $6,016 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine shop technology/assistant graduates is $4,997. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Central Georgia Technical College Warner Robins generally make around $29,107. That is a strong return on a $4,997 median debt.

25
Nash Community College crest
Nash Community College
Rocky Mount, NC

Nash Community College landed the #25 spot for machine shop technology/assistant value this year. Located in the rural area of Rocky Mount, Nash Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,866 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Machine Shop Technology/assistant graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine shop technology/assistant degree recipients from Nash Community College generally make around $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Machine Shop Technology/Assistant Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s machine shop technology/assistant value ranking:

26
27
28
29
College Of The Albemarle crest
College Of The Albemarle
Elizabeth City, NC
30
31
32
33
34
Lanier Technical College crest
Lanier Technical College
Gainesville, GA
35
36
37
38
Gaston College crest
Gaston College
Dallas, NC
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
Daytona State College crest
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, FL
49
50

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 72 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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