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Surgical tech programs in Minnesota

10 surgical tech programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

8 schools offer these surgical technology programs, and Minnesota has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange the equipment and help doctors during surgery. Most have a certificate or an associate degree from an accredited program, and some employers require certification.1

In Minnesota, all 10 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

All 10 are the same kind of program: surgical technology (associate degree).

See the 10 programs

How much do surgical tech programs cost in Minnesota?

$9,946 to $10,530 is what most surgical tech programs in Minnesota cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 10 programs with a price. All of them: $9,099 to $10,601

In the typical program

Finished the program
47%
Working 6 months later
68%
Earned a year, estimated
about $33,800
Length
120 weeks

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Minnesota may also offer surgical tech programs. How these figures are made

Are there free surgical tech programs in Minnesota?

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 10 surgical tech programs in Minnesota approved for WIOA funding

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10 programs

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Rochester Community and Technical College

    Rochester

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Rochester Community and Technical College, RochesterSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$37,500
    Price if you pay yourself$10,140
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Rochester Community and Technical College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Rochester Community and Technical College
    Finished
    34%
    Working at 6 months
    87%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,381
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    362
    Earned a year, estimated
    $37,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,140
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Rochester Community and Technical College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Lake Superior College

    Duluth

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Lake Superior College, DuluthSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$26,900
    Price if you pay yourself$9,099
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Lake Superior College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Lake Superior College
    Finished
    20%
    Working at 6 months
    81%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,728
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    272
    Earned a year, estimated
    $26,900
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,099
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Lake Superior College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Minnesota State Community and Technical College

    Moorhead

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minnesota State Community and Technical College, MoorheadSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$19,600
    Price if you pay yourself$9,930
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota State Community and Technical College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Minnesota State Community and Technical College
    Finished
    33%
    Working at 6 months
    24%
    Earned in a quarter
    $4,911
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    243
    Earned a year, estimated
    $19,600
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,930
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Anoka Technical College

    Anoka

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Anoka Technical College, AnokaSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$52,500
    Price if you pay yourself$10,318
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Anoka Technical College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Anoka Technical College
    Finished
    66%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,119
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    199
    Earned a year, estimated
    $52,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,318
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Anoka Technical College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Northland Community and Technical College

    East Grand Forks

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northland Community and Technical College, East Grand ForksSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$25,400
    Price if you pay yourself$10,197
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Northland Community and Technical College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Northland Community and Technical College
    Finished
    53%
    Working at 6 months
    20%
    Earned in a quarter
    $6,348
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    161
    Earned a year, estimated
    $25,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,197
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Northland Community and Technical College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technologist

    Saint Paul College

    St. Paul

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Saint Paul College, St. PaulSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$55,800
    Price if you pay yourself$9,992
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Saint Paul College
    More details about Surgical Technologist at Saint Paul College
    Finished
    72%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $13,946
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    145
    Earned a year, estimated
    $55,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,992
    Program website, Surgical Technologist at Saint Paul College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    St. Cloud Technical & Community College

    St. Cloud

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    St. Cloud Technical & Community College, St. CloudSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$47,700
    Price if you pay yourself$9,820

    4 students trained with WIOA funding

    Program website, Surgical Technology at St. Cloud Technical & Community College
    More details about Surgical Technology at St. Cloud Technical & Community College
    Finished
    81%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,913
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    144
    Earned a year, estimated
    $47,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $9,820
    students trained with WIOA funding
    4
    Program website, Surgical Technology at St. Cloud Technical & Community College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Minnesota West Community and Technical College

    Granite Falls

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Granite FallsSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,800
    Price if you pay yourself$10,601
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
    Finished
    47%
    Working at 6 months
    55%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,445
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    61
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,601
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Minnesota West Community and Technical College

    Worthington

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minnesota West Community and Technical College, WorthingtonSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,800
    Price if you pay yourself$10,601
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
    Finished
    47%
    Working at 6 months
    55%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,445
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    61
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,601
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College

  • Surgical technology (associate degree)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Surgical Technology

    Minnesota West Community and Technical College

    Jackson

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Minnesota West Community and Technical College, JacksonSurgical technology (associate degree) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$33,800
    Price if you pay yourself$10,601
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
    More details about Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College
    Finished
    47%
    Working at 6 months
    55%
    Earned in a quarter
    $8,445
    Length
    120 weeks, 50 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    61
    Earned a year, estimated
    $33,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $10,601
    Program website, Surgical Technology at Minnesota West Community and Technical College

How to pay for surgical tech programs in Minnesota

WIOA funding can pay for surgical tech programs in Minnesota

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for surgical tech programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.67

GI Bill for surgical tech programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.8

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Quick facts: Surgical tech programs in Minnesota

programs with a price cost under $10,000
4 of 10
lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
14th of 23
other states where the typical program's graduates earned less
4 of 17
surgical tech programs here, against the typical state's 6
10 vs 6

State comparisons use the same figures as the surgical tech programs by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Surgical tech programs in Minneapolis, Rochester, Duluth and other Minnesota cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 more program is in 1 other area, 2 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Minnesota

How surgical tech programs compare with the rest of allied health: Allied health programs in Minnesota

Where the Minnesota surgical technology program numbers come from

Which Minnesota surgical technology programs are on this list?

These are the surgical technology programs Minnesota approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).9 The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Minnesota offers.

How the prices and results of Minnesota surgical technology programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about surgical tech programs in Minnesota

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Surgical Technologists
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List