Science Technologies/Technicians Colleges Under $20,000

Athens Technical College delivers Science Technologies/Technicians, Other programs for just $5,876 annually, making it the most budget-friendly option among 13 schools nationwide. This dramatic cost advantage reflects Georgia's strong technical education infrastructure supporting the state's growing biotech and manufacturing sectors. At the opposite end, Arizona State University graduates earn $55,234 median salaries while maintaining reasonable $13,670 net costs. The 13 programs span from $5,876 to $17,815, with public institutions dominating affordable options. Science technician roles nationwide continue expanding as laboratories, research facilities, and quality control operations require skilled support staff across industries from pharmaceuticals to environmental testing.

Programs

$5,876 – $17,815

Net Price Range

$49,451

Avg. Program Earnings

55.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Science Technologies/Technicians, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Athens Technical College Athens, Georgia	$5,876	$3,172	33.1%
2	University of Nevada-Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada	$10,011	$9,142	50.1%	85.3%
3	Kean University Union, New Jersey	$12,168	$13,426	43.4%	82.6%
4	Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, Arizona	$13,670	$12,051	67.8%	89.8%
5	Delta State University Cleveland, Mississippi	$13,778	$8,605	46.9%	98.6%
6	University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, Alaska	$13,780	$7,566	28.9%	65.3%
7	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona	$14,922	$12,652	56.9%	80.0%
8	University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona	$15,960	$13,626	65.9%	86.8%
9	Salisbury University Salisbury, Maryland	$16,456	$10,638	67.4%	91.1%
10	William Jewell College Liberty, Missouri	$16,602	$19,890	61.6%	41.0%
11	North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, North Carolina	$16,931	$8,895	84.6%	47.2%
12	University of Wisconsin-Stout Menomonie, Wisconsin	$17,365	$10,142	52.5%	86.3%
13	Madonna University Livonia, Michigan	$17,815	$27,360	58.1%	64.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $10,000+ cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Athens Technical College costs just $5,876 compared to Madonna University at $17,815, largely due to public versus private funding models. Technical colleges typically focus on practical training with lower overhead costs than traditional universities.

How do graduation rates vary among these affordable science technology programs?

Graduation rates range dramatically from 28.9% at University of Alaska Anchorage to 84.6% at NC State Raleigh. The 10 schools with available data show most clustering between 43% and 68%, with technical colleges often showing lower rates due to different student populations.

Is Arizona State University worth the higher cost for science technology students?

Arizona State graduates earn $55,234 median salaries, the highest among programs reporting earnings data. With net costs of $13,670 and a strong 67.8% graduation rate, the return on investment appears solid compared to cheaper alternatives.

Where do science technology graduates typically find employment after these programs?

Graduates work in laboratories, quality control departments, environmental testing facilities, and research institutions. The $39,189 to $55,234 salary range reflects positions from entry-level lab technicians to specialized instrumentation specialists in growing fields.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.