[Tool & Die Technology/Technician](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/tool-and-die-technology-technician/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 3 schools to find the best return on investment for tool & die technology/technician students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the tool & die technology/technician degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in tool & die technology/technician, no school beat Marshalltown Community College this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the tool & die technology/technician program here. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $45,972. Set against $11,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Iowa Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in tool & die technology/technician, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for tool & die technology/technician graduates is $12,043. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in tool & die technology/technician will find it at Des Moines Area Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Tool & Die Technology/technician graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, tool & die technology/technician degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $39,397. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
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 · 3 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
