[Tool & Die Technology/Technician](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/tool-and-die-technology-technician/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for tool & die technology/technician students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in tool & die technology/technician, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Marshalltown Community College the best value for a degree in tool & die technology/technician in the The Plains States Region. Located in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Marshalltown Community College earn a median of $45,972 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Southeast Community College Area one of the best values for tool & die technology/technician. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $11,650 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $49,114 early in their careers. Set against $11,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at North Iowa Area Community College, which ranked #3. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wichita Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in tool & die technology/technician, landing the #4 spot 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. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $30,515. Set against $5,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at Hennepin Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of Brooklyn Park, Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,940. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $9,329 in student loans. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $56,143 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,329 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #6 spot for tool & die technology/technician value this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Early-career tool & die technology/technician graduates make about $39,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 6 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.
