by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 8 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.
Leading the list is Riverland Community College, our #1 best value for machine tool technology/machinist in Minnesota. Located in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,297. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $49,194. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $48,652. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools. Set in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,491 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $13,946. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Minnesota West Community And Technical College generally make around $43,009. That is a strong return on a $13,946 median debt.
Anoka Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #4 spot this year. Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Anoka. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $8,692. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Anoka Technical College generally make around $50,690. Set against $8,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in machine tool technology/machinist will find it at Central Lakes College Brainerd, which ranked #5. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. Students from in state pay about $6,249 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $40,671. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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Alexandria Technical And Community College placed #6 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,236. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $9,500. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $51,141 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College landed the #7 spot for machine tool technology/machinist value this year. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $13,350. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $42,543. That is a strong return on a $13,350 median debt.
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,477. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $9,167 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $49,874. Set against $9,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.