[Machine Tool Technology/Machinist](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/machine-tool-technology-machinist/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong machine tool technology/machinist education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in machine tool technology/machinist, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked College Of Southern Idaho the best value for a degree in machine tool technology/machinist in Idaho. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, compared with $6,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #2 place for machine tool technology/machinist. College Of Western Idaho is a very large public school located in the rural area of Nampa. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $39,670.
Eastern Idaho Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Idaho Falls, Eastern Idaho Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,390, with out-of-state students paying around $6,750. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $17,066. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $48,314. That is a strong return on a $17,066 median debt.
North Idaho College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #4 spot this year. North Idaho College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Coeur d'Alene. In-state tuition and fees average $3,396, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from North Idaho College generally make around $49,489. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt.
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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 · 4 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.
