[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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.
Ozarks Technical Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value machine tool technology/machinist schools in Missouri. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $4,737. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,757. Set against $4,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Jefferson College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the machine tool technology/machinist program here. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $47,560. That is a strong return on a $13,664 median debt.
East Central College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #3 spot this year. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. Students from in state pay about $4,272 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,680. Typical student debt for machine tool technology/machinist graduates is $12,062. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates of East Central College earn a median of $37,925 early in their careers. Set against $12,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn State Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in machine tool technology/machinist, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,160, compared with $14,610 for out-of-state students. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $11,474 in student loans. Early-career machine tool technology/machinist graduates make about $47,325. Set against $11,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Ranken Technical College one of the best values for machine tool technology/machinist. Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,008. Machine Tool Technology/machinist graduates carry a median of $12,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, machine tool technology/machinist degree recipients from Ranken Technical College generally make around $44,463. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
