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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Tool & Die Technology/Technician Associate’s Degree Schools

5 Colleges in the United States
$9,539 Avg Student Debt
$40,395 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Tool & Die Technology/Technician Associate's Degree Badge [Tool & Die Technology/Technician](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/tool-and-die-technology-technician/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 51 schools to find the best return on investment for tool & die technology/technician students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Tool & Die Technology/Technician Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the tool & die technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Tool & Die Technology/Technician Schools

1

Central Piedmont Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools in the United States. Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $40,149. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at South Texas College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. 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 tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $33,167. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at Gadsden State Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gadsden, Gadsden State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, compared with $7,368 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $9,312. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Gadsden State Community College earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,312 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at Bevill State Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Jasper, Bevill State Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,734, with out-of-state students paying around $8,346. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $11,040. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Bevill State Community College generally make around $45,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Elgin Community College one of the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, compared with $9,516 for out-of-state students. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Elgin Community College earn a median of $43,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.

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6

College Of Lake County placed #6 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,788, with out-of-state students paying around $14,400. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $9,785. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Southeast Community College Area ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,650 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Southeast Community College Area generally make around $49,114. Set against $11,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Waukesha County Technical College placed #8 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $9,500. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $43,380 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9
Vincennes University crest
Vincennes University
Vincennes, IN

Vincennes University placed #9 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $54,908. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Wichita Area Technical College landed the #10 spot for tool & die technology/technician value this year. Located in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,237. Students borrow a median of $5,564 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $30,515. That is a strong return on a $5,564 median debt.

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11
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN

Hennepin Technical College earned the #11 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,329 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Hennepin Technical College generally make around $59,829. Set against $9,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Shelton State Community College placed #12 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Shelton State Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,127, while out-of-state students pay about $8,997. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,688 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Shelton State Community College earn a median of $49,403 early in their careers. Set against $10,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Des Moines Area Community College earned the #13 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $39,397. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Mech Tech College Llc came in at #14 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the city of Caguas, Mech Tech College Llc is a mid-sized private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,394. Students borrow a median of $4,762 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Mech Tech College Llc generally make around $27,093. Set against $4,762 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15
Ferris State University crest
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI

Ferris State University earned the #15 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the town of Big Rapids, Ferris State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,778. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Ferris State University generally make around $56,811. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

Other Tool & Die Technology/Technician Degree Levels

Explore the best-value tool & die technology/technician schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Tool & Die Technology/Technician
Bachelor's Degrees in Tool & Die Technology/Technician
Master's Degrees in Tool & Die Technology/Technician
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View All Tool & Die Technology/Technician Rankings >

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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 · 51 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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