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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in tool & die technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Delta College tops our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,880. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $37,342. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Alpena Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the town of Alpena, Alpena Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Alpena Community College generally make around $45,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oakland Community College earned it the #3 place for tool & die technology/technician. Oakland Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Auburn Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $5,560. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $15,865 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Oakland Community College generally make around $43,205. That is a strong return on a $15,865 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #4 place for tool & die technology/technician. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Prairie State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in tool & die technology/technician, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Chicago Heights, Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $15,663. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Prairie State College generally make around $37,500. That is a strong return on a $15,663 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Elgin Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sinclair Community College placed #7 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Set in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, while out-of-state students pay about $8,556. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Sinclair Community College generally make around $35,348. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of Lake County ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. Set against $9,785 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lakeshore Technical College came in at #9 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Cleveland. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Students borrow a median of $11,582 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $48,619. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kishwaukee College placed #10 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the rural area of Malta, Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $10,328 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Kishwaukee College earn a median of $30,398 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.
Lakeland Community College placed #11 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the suburb of Kirtland, Lakeland Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,872, with out-of-state students paying around $9,235. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $19,857. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $51,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $43,380. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College placed #13 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Set in the city of Kenosha, Gateway Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,700 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Gateway Technical College generally make around $38,659. That is a strong return on a $9,700 median debt.
Milwaukee Area Technical College placed #14 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, while out-of-state students pay about $7,427. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #15 for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $7,000. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $41,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Owens Community College earned the #16 position for value in tool & die technology/technician this year. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, compared with $10,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,383 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Set against $19,383 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vincennes University landed the #17 spot for tool & die technology/technician value this year. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, compared with $16,858 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $10,932. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Vincennes University generally make around $54,908. That is a strong return on a $10,932 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,889, with out-of-state students paying around $7,132. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $5,250. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Northcentral Technical College earn a median of $41,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #19 among the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $8,109 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $45,531 early in their careers. Set against $8,109 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value tool & die technology/technician schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Western Technical College La Cross generally make around $40,624. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[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.
