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Top 10 Operating Room Technician Programs

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Operating Room Technicians (otherwise known as Surgical Technologists) are a vital and growing part of the medical profession, with a projected employment increase of 22% over the next decade (O*NET, 2015). These vital healthcare professionals assist in the operating theater during surgery, acting as scrub persons or even a surgical first assistant with proper training.

Operating Room Technicians apply their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, positioning, aseptic technique, organization, and patient care during and after surgery. It is their duty to appropriately communicate with the surgeon, act as a support by sterilizing and handling equipment, and monitor the surgical area to make sure it is safe for patients and doctors.

In order to help you choose the best Surgical Technology school for your budget and lifestyle, we’ve put together a list of the best colleges that have been approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education (CAAHEP). Once you complete one of these programs, you will be eligible to sit for the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification exam.

All it takes is a little education and a lot of determination, and you could become a high-paid Surgical Technologist. One of these amazing schools could be the perfect stepping-stone to a new, exciting, and challenging surgical career.

Methodology

U.S. News and Report Rankings – 33%

In this list, we relied heavily on the U.S. News and World Report 2015 rankings. In this ranking system, both students and faculty of were polled to see how their schools performed in relation to student engagement, faculty credentials and training, peer reputation, student services and technology, and admissions selectivity. The rankings were given a point scale, with the highest-ranked schools being given a full 20 points, and decreasing in relationship to ranking.

Faculty-to-Student Ratio – 33%

Since smaller class sizes mean more one-on-one education time, a quarter of the overall score was dependent on faculty-to-student ratio. The total enrollment was taken, then divided by the number of professors. This was then judged on a 10-point scale, with 1:1 earning a full 10 points, and 500:1 earning five.

Cost of Tuition – 33%

One of the major factors in choosing a program is cost, with the most valuable schools costing less for better educational quality. We found the individual graduate cost per credit and organized them on a 10-point scale, with credit cost between $100-$199 earning 10 points and schools costing $600-$700 earning a five.

List of Top Careers in Healthcare for 2022

  1. Indiana University Health – Indiana University (Certificate) 94.2% – The IU Health Learning Alliance partners with the IU School of Medicine to provide allied health training at their Center for Surgical Technology. This school as recently named to the U.S. News and World Report Honor Roll (2013-2014) in 11 adult and 10 pediatric healthcare specialties. The quality of instruction, cost ($2,176 for those already working for the hospital, $4,264 for those who don’t), and the length of time (11 months), all contribute to making this program one of the best.
  2. University of Arkansas – Fort Smith (Certificate) 91.7% – The UAFS Surgical Technology program meets and exceeds all accreditation standards of CAAHEP. This full-time, 1-year program ranges in cost between $14,264 for in state residents and $28,724 for out-of-state residents. In 2013 alone, students who took the Certification Examination passed on the first try 93.4% of the time, making it one of the best total scores in the nation.
  3. University of Cincinnati – Clermont (Certificate) 88% – This small, beautiful campus houses one of the finest Surgical Technology schools, largely in part of its small student-to-teacher ratio and high-caliber faculty. The department head, Brenda Welch, currently serves on the CFA Examination Review Committee for the NBSTSA. This gives students in this program a fantastic opportunity to prepare and pass the certification exam. The UC campus provides both an Associate’s Degree option as well as a Certificate program. While any high school graduate can complete the AAS, you have at least three years of operating room experience to qualify.
  4. Pennsylvania College of Technology (AAS, BS) 83.3% – Pennsylvania College of Technology is one of the highest-ranking public schools, coming in at number eight in 2015’s US NEW and World Report of college rankings. Their Surgical Technology program has recently been updated to meet the new Accreditation Review Council on Education in Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (ARC/STSA) requirements of only 18 students per graduating class. The two-year AAS program has excellent student outcomes –Graduating classes in the past three years have exceeded the national average scores on the certification exam by 35% in 2011, 10.3% in 2012, and 27% in 2013. This school also offers a 4-year Applied Health Studies degree with a Surgical Technology emphasis (B.S.).
  5. Montana Tech (AAS) 79.1% – The Missoula College of the University of Montana Technology Surgical Program is a collaborative program between The Missoula College and Highlands College of Montana Tech campuses. According to U.S. News and Report Montana Tech is ranked 6th among top colleges in the west. Students completing this program will graduate with an AAS degree in Surgical Technology from The Missoula College. It is a 2 year program culminating in a AAS degree and costing residents $15,502 per year and $20,470 for non-residents.
  6. Bismarck State University (AAS) 77.4% – Bismarck State is often noted as one of the best Surgical Technology programs in the country. It was ranked by the US News and World Report 2015 as one of the Top 5 Public Schools in the nation. One of the key differences of this program is its flexibility. Although traditional students can finish the program in three years, a 2-year “fast track” is available as well. In addition, the program is very affordable, at just $132 per credit for residents and $312 per credit for non-residents.
  7. Indian River State College – (Certificate) 76% – This school was ranked by the 2015 US News and World Report as one of the Top 10 Public Colleges in the nation. This rigorous 1330-hour program includes an extensive clinical experience, as well as laboratory segments, and didactic courses. Despite the high demands, the program is designed to be completed in only one year, making it one of the quickest and most highly-regarded programs in the nation. Not only that, but tuition for the entire program is around $4,600, so it’s a good value for the level of education students receive.
  8. Mira Costa College (AA, Certificate) 76% – Location, location, location! Mira Costa College is located in the beautiful San Diego area of California, home of sunshine, surfing and rock climbing. This program currently has a 3-year waiting list, largely because it is one of only four community colleges in California to offer a Surgical Technology degree program. There are two program choices: a 38-credit option ending in a Certificate in Surgical Technology, or a 60-credit option culminating in an AA degree. At only $46 per credit for residents and $193 per credit for non-residents, this is the most inexpensive Surgical Technology degree program on the list.
  9. Southeast Kentucky Community & Technical College (AAS) 72.1% – This college has been named one of the best Community Colleges in the U.S. due to its student-to-teacher ratio, collaborative learning, and academic challenge, according to the Washington Monthly Magazine. The clinical segment of the AAS degree from SKCTC is incredibly flexible, with 17 different cohort hospitals in both Kentucky and Tennessee. Although a non-credit certificate option is available, a full AAS degree requires only one additional semester. And, for only $147 per credit in-state, this is an excellent local option for Kentucky residents.
  10. Keiser University (AS) 69.5% – The goal of the Surgical Technology program at Keiser University is to provide non-traditional students with every opportunity to reestablish themselves in the workforce through high-quality education. According to the U.S. News and World Report, this school is one of the Top 20 Colleges for Veterans, and it participates in a number of tuition reimbursement programs to make education affordable. The 75-credit AS program includes three full-time clinical externships, at which point the student is eligible to take the national certification exam.
Maggie O'Neill
Maggie O'Neill Writer

Maggie O'Neill is a journalist from Northern Nevada, specializing in interviews and educational feature stories.