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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Machine Tool Technology/Machinist Schools in Texas

2 Colleges in the United States
$10,735 Avg Student Debt
$39,880 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Machine Tool Technology/Machinist Badge [Machine Tool Technology/Machinist](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/machine-tool-technology-machinist/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for machine tool technology/machinist students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Machine Tool Technology/Machinist Schools in Texas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in machine tool technology/machinist, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Machine Tool Technology/Machinist Schools

1

South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools in Texas. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $30,227. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.

2
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

Brazosport College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,388, with out-of-state students paying around $4,711. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $6,625. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Brazosport College generally make around $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, while out-of-state students pay about $5,314. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $8,542. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.

4
Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

A rank of #4 makes Del Mar College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $7,476. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Del Mar College generally make around $40,661. That is a strong return on a $7,476 median debt.

5
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $15,653. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.

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6
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College came in at #6 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $15,720 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $48,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College landed the #7 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Located in the rural area of Denison, Grayson College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,300. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $42,487. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Ranger College crest
Ranger College
Ranger, TX

Ranger College placed #8 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Ranger College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ranger. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,066. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $12,749. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Ranger College earn a median of $35,756 early in their careers. Set against $12,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

North Central Texas College landed the #9 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. North Central Texas College is a large public school located in the town of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,739 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of North Central Texas College earn a median of $43,536 early in their careers. Set against $15,965 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX

Hill College landed the #10 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Hill College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $2,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $12,302. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $39,212. That is a strong return on a $12,302 median debt.

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11
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College earned the #11 position for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Set in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $10,941 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Lee College generally make around $53,448. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
Angelina College crest
Angelina College
Lufkin, TX

Angelina College placed #12 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Angelina College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Lufkin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,430, with out-of-state students paying around $6,490. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $7,828. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Angelina College earn a median of $50,767 early in their careers. Set against $7,828 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13
Odessa College crest
Odessa College
Odessa, TX

Odessa College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the city of Odessa, Odessa College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,688, compared with $4,926 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $9,087 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Odessa College earn a median of $47,856 early in their careers. Set against $9,087 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Texas State Technical College came in at #14 for value in machine tool technology/machinist this year. Located in the city of Waco, Texas State Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,212 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,812 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $8,905 in student loans. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Texas State Technical College earn a median of $37,477 early in their careers. Set against $8,905 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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