2027 Rankings · Verified November 2026
Most Affordable Sterile Processing Technician Programs
What Are the Most Affordable Sterile Processing Technician Programs?
Coastal Carolina Community College (Jacksonville, NC) ranks first, at $180. 85 sterile processing programs at 84 schools in 29 states fit this ranking, each checked on the school's own site in November 2026. 74 include clinical hours, and 16 state 400 or more, the hands-on total full CRCST certification requires. Where the school publishes a price for the whole program, it runs from $180 to $23,000, with a median of $2,095. 12 programs include the certification exam fee or a voucher.
- programs
- 85
- schools
- 84
- include clinical hours
- 74
- states
- 29
- 400+ clinical hours
- 16
- median length
- 22 wk
- median published cost (85 priced)
- $2,095
Top Picks for Your Situation
| Pick | Program | Score | Published cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | McHenry County College, Crystal Lake: Sterile Processing Technician TrainingNon-credit course · 400 clinical hours | 87 | $1,999 |
| Best for the CRCST's 400 hours | Community College of Baltimore County, Essex: Central Service Technician, Continuing Education Workforce CertificateNon-credit course · 400 clinical hours | 86 | $2,063 |
| Lowest published cost | Coastal Carolina Community College, Jacksonville: Central Sterile Processing TechnicianNon-credit course | 47 | $180 |
| Fastest | Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha: Sterile Processing Technician Certificate ProgramNon-credit course · 8 weeks | 61 | $795 |
| Best online or hybrid | Rowan College at Burlington County, Mount Laurel: Central Services TechnicianNon-credit course · 400 clinical hours | 81 | $2,750 |
Each pick links to the program's entry on its state ranking. Score: out of 100, as explained under How Each Program Is Scored.
The 10 Most Affordable Sterile Processing Technician Programs, Ranked
How this list is ranked: lowest published cost first. Cost is the program total or the single course fee each school publishes for the whole program, read on the school's own site in November 2026; per-credit rates are never multiplied out. Published costs often leave out the certification exam fee, books, uniforms and background checks. One program per school.
Coastal Carolina Community College: Central Sterile Processing TechnicianCentral Sterile Processing Technician
$180published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost course near Jacksonville
Coastal Carolina Community College (Jacksonville, NC, public) runs this non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $180 for the program (2026-27).
- Cost
- $180published total, 2026-27
Prepares forCoastal Carolina Community College course on the school's site · Coastal Carolina Community College among North Carolina programs
Wake Technical Community College: Central Sterile Processing Technician (PHM-3002A3)Central Sterile Processing Technician (PHM-3002A3)
$200published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost course near Raleigh
Wake Technical Community College (Raleigh, NC, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (3 months or less). The school publishes a price of $200 for the program (2026-27).
- Weeks
- 133 months or less
- Hours
- 112instruction
- Cost
- $200published total, 2026-27
Prepares forOfficial page for the Wake Technical Community College course · How Wake Technical Community College ranks in North Carolina
Beaufort County Community College: Central Sterile Preparation Technician-HybridCentral Sterile Preparation Technician-Hybrid
$205.25published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost course near Washington
Beaufort County Community College (Washington, NC, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (February 2 to April 27, 2027). The school publishes a price of $205.25 for the program (2026-27). Evening classes are offered.
- Hours
- 240instruction
- Cost
- $205.25published total, 2026-27
Prepares forApply or ask about the Beaufort County Community College course · North Carolina ranking: Beaufort County Community College
Durham Technical Community College: Central Sterile Processing (PHM-3002A)Central Sterile Processing (PHM-3002A)
$257.25published totalBest for a low-cost course near Durham
Durham Technical Community College (Durham, NC, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (About 4.5 months (late January or February to June)). The school publishes a price of $257.25 for the program. Clinical: 30 hours of clinical application at an offsite hospital, one day a week (8:30 am-3:30 pm), plus a 4-hour BLS course. Evening classes are offered.
- Weeks
- 19
- Hours
- 216instruction
- Clinical
- 30hours
- Cost
- $257.25published total
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forDurham Technical Community College's own page for this course · Durham Technical Community College among North Carolina programs
Davidson-Davie Community College: Central Sterile ProcessingCentral Sterile Processing
$286.50published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost course near Thomasville
Davidson-Davie Community College (Thomasville, NC, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (12 weeks). The school publishes a price of $286.50 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: No clinical hours; in-person labs at the Davie Campus, with employer orientation or training after hire. Evening classes are offered. The school reported 6 sterile processing awards for 2022-23 (IPEDS).
- Weeks
- 1212 weeks
- Hours
- 180instruction
- Cost
- $286.50published total, 2026-27
Admission details for the Davidson-Davie Community College course · How Davidson-Davie Community College ranks in North Carolina
Vance-Granville Community College: Central Sterile ProcessingCentral Sterile Processing
$322.60published total, 2026Best for a low-cost course near Henderson
Vance-Granville Community College (Henderson, NC, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $322.60 for the program (2026). Evening classes are offered.
- Weeks
- 11
- Cost
- $322.60published total, 2026
Prepares forVance-Granville Community College course on the school's site · North Carolina ranking: Vance-Granville Community College
Guilford Technical Community College: Central Sterile Processing TechnicianCentral Sterile Processing Technician
$328published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost course near Jamestown
Guilford Technical Community College (Jamestown, NC, public) runs this non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $328 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Clinical or clinical simulation portion; these hours do not count toward the 400 hours required for full CRCST.
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $328published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
- Textbook
Prepares forOfficial page for the Guilford Technical Community College course · Guilford Technical Community College among North Carolina programs
Wilson Community College: Central Sterile Processing Technician (CSPT)Central Sterile Processing Technician (CSPT)
$348published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost course near Wilson
Wilson Community College (Wilson, NC, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $348 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: 100 hours of clinical experience in a healthcare setting.
- Clinical
- 100hours
- Cost
- $348published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forApply or ask about the Wilson Community College course · How Wilson Community College ranks in North Carolina
Piedmont Community College: Central Sterile ProcessingCentral Sterile Processing
$353published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost course near Roxboro
Piedmont Community College (Roxboro, NC, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (January 19 to April 19, 2027). The school publishes a price of $353 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: 27 hours at an assigned clinical site during one week between weeks 8 and 13.
- Clinical
- 27hours
- Cost
- $353published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forPiedmont Community College's own page for this course · North Carolina ranking: Piedmont Community College
Northcentral Technical College: Sterile Processing Technician CertificateSterile Processing Technician Certificate
$692published total, 2026-27Best for a low-cost certificate near Wausau
Northcentral Technical College (Wausau, WI, public) runs this on campus certificate. The school publishes a price of $692 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Lecture and lab experiences.
- Credits
- 3
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $692published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Admission details for the Northcentral Technical College certificate · Northcentral Technical College among Wisconsin programs
More of the Most Affordable Sterile Processing Technician Programs: Ranks 11 to 25
How this list is ranked: lowest published cost first. Cost is the program total or the single course fee each school publishes for the whole program, read on the school's own site in November 2026; per-credit rates are never multiplied out. Published costs often leave out the certification exam fee, books, uniforms and background checks. One program per school.
Most Clinical Hours: Most Affordable
How this list is ranked: most hands-on clinical hours first, as each program's own page states them (November 2026). HSPA's CRCST certification requires 400 hours of hands-on experience; programs at 400 or more cover it. Ties go to the lower published cost; one program per school.
Delaware County Community College: Sterile Processing Technician (CAR 2950)Sterile Processing Technician (CAR 2950)
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Media
Delaware County Community College (Media, PA, public) runs this on campus non-credit course (Wednesdays, January 27 to May 19, 2027). The school publishes a price of $1,295 for the program (Spring 2027). Clinical: 400-hour externship. Evening classes are offered.
- Hours
- 60instruction
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $1,295published total, Spring 2027
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forDelaware County Community College course on the school's site · Delaware County Community College among Pennsylvania programs
McHenry County College: Sterile Processing Technician TrainingSterile Processing Technician Training
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Crystal Lake
McHenry County College (Crystal Lake, IL, public) runs this on campus non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $1,999 for the program. Clinical: Classroom lessons and hands-on clinical labs; after passing the CRCST exam, students complete a 400-hour clinical internship with a preceptor-set schedule.
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $1,999published total
Includes- Clinicals
- Exam voucher
- Textbook
Prepares forOfficial page for the McHenry County College course · How McHenry County College ranks in Illinois
Community College of Baltimore County: Central Service Technician, Continuing Education Workforce CertificateCentral Service Technician, Continuing Education Workforce Certificate
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Essex
Community College of Baltimore County (Essex, MD) runs this on campus non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $2,063 for the program. Clinical: Optional Central Service Technician Clinical I-IV (AHL 046-049), 100 hours each, 400 hours in total; not required to complete the program.
- Hours
- 72instruction
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $2,063published total
Includes- Clinicals
- Exam voucher
Prepares forApply or ask about the Community College of Baltimore County course · Maryland ranking: Community College of Baltimore County
Queensborough Community College (CUNY): Sterile Processing Technician - Hybrid ClassSterile Processing Technician - Hybrid Class
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Bayside
Queensborough Community College (CUNY) (Bayside, NY, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (Jan; 25 - Feb; 24 online, Mar; 01 - Mar; 10 in-person labs). The school publishes a price of $2,295 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Eligible students may complete a 400-hour externship with Northwell Health. Evening classes are offered.
- Hours
- 80instruction
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $2,295published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forQueensborough Community College's own page for this course · Queensborough Community College among New York programs
Montgomery County Community College: Sterile Processing Technician (BICEC 1614)Sterile Processing Technician (BICEC 1614)
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Pottstown
Montgomery County Community College (Pottstown, PA) runs this on campus non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $2,650 for the program. Clinical: 400-hour externship at Pottstown Hospital after the lecture component, scheduled by the instructor.
- Hours
- 432instruction
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $2,650published total
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forAdmission details for the Montgomery County Community College course · How Montgomery County Community College ranks in Pennsylvania
Rowan College at Burlington County: Central Services TechnicianCentral Services Technician
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Mount Laurel
Rowan College at Burlington County (Mount Laurel, NJ, public) runs this hybrid non-credit course (March 1 to July 9 class session, plus clinical externship). The school publishes a price of $2,750 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: 400-hour in-person clinical externship at a clinical site, typically 7:30 AM-3:30 PM Monday through Friday, subject to hospital availability. Evening classes are offered.
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $2,750published course fee, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
- Exam voucher
- Textbook
Prepares forRowan College at Burlington County course on the school's site · New Jersey ranking: Rowan College at Burlington County
Bergen Community College: Central Sterile Processing Technician (HH-008)Central Sterile Processing Technician (HH-008)
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Paramus
Bergen Community College (Paramus, NJ, public) runs this on campus non-credit course. The school publishes a price of $2,950 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: Required 400-hour unpaid clinical internship at a local medical center or surgical center; shifts 7 AM-3 PM, 3-11 PM or 11 PM-7 AM. Evening classes are offered.
- Weeks
- 10
- Hours
- 460instruction
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $2,950published course fee, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forOfficial page for the Bergen Community College course · Bergen Community College among New Jersey programs
Yakima Valley College: Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) CertificateSterile Processing Technician (SPT) Certificate
400 hrclinical hours statedBest for covering the CRCST's 400 hands-on hours inside the program near Yakima
Yakima Valley College (Yakima, WA, public) runs this hybrid certificate (Two quarters (about 6 months)). The school publishes a price of $3,074.45 for the program (2026-27). Clinical: 400-hour clinical externship.
- Weeks
- 26Two quarters (about 6 months)
- Credits
- 19
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $3,074.45published total, 2026-27
Includes- Clinicals
Prepares forApply or ask about the Yakima Valley College certificate · How Yakima Valley College ranks in Washington
How Each Program Is Scored
Each program gets a score out of 100 from figures on the school's own pages and federal data. A part a program has no figure for is left out and the others are rescaled, so a missing fact never counts against it and nothing is guessed. Each ranking lists one program per school and leaves out programs not admitting students.
| Part | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Hands-on training | 35 | Clinical hours the program states, measured against the 400 hands-on hours HSPA's CRCST requires. A program at 400 hours or more scores full marks; clinical time without stated hours scores 15 of 35. |
| Certification prep | 25 | 15 points when the program's page names the CRCST or CSPDT exam, and 10 more when the exam fee or a voucher is included. |
| Cost | 25 | The whole-program price the school publishes, ranked against every priced program. Per-credit rates are never multiplied out. |
| Track record | 15 | Sterile processing awards the school reported to the U.S. Department of Education for 2022-23 (IPEDS, CIP 51.1012), on a log scale that reaches full marks at 50. |
How Much Low-Cost Sterile Processing Courses Cost
Prices for sterile processing training run from a $180 registration fee to a $23,000 career school total. Of the 85 programs in this set with a published price, the median is $2,095. The ranking below sorts them by that published figure alone: the program total or the single course fee each school lists for the whole program, read on the school’s own site in November 2026.
Price tracks three things more than anything else:
- Credit or non-credit. 49 of the 85 priced programs are non-credit workforce courses, which charge one fee per section. Credit certificates and diplomas charge tuition by the credit and run longer.
- Clinical hours. HSPA’s CRCST certification requires 400 hours of hands-on work in a sterile processing department. Only 16 of the 85 priced programs build all 400 in. Most of the lowest prices buy theory and a short clinical, or none.
- What the fee bundles. Some prices include books, a background check and the exam. Others are registration alone.
A per-credit rate is not a program price. Where a school bills by the credit, such as Herzing’s $530 per credit, this page doesn’t multiply it out, so those programs drop out of the cost ranking.
Why the Lowest Prices Are in North Carolina
Nine of the ten lowest published prices belong to North Carolina community colleges. Their continuing education courses charge a flat section fee, which is why Coastal Carolina can list $180 registration plus $1 insurance and Wake Tech can list $200 per section.
The trade-off is what sits outside that fee. Coastal Carolina says the textbook, workbook, study guide and the CSPDT exam are extra; the college quotes the exam at $125, while CBSPD’s own page listed $135 in November 2026. Piedmont Community College’s $353 registration includes the background check and drug screen, but its textbook ($165) and credentialing exam ($135) are extra. Davidson-Davie charges $286.50, with required texts bought separately for about $235.
If you live in North Carolina, start with the North Carolina programs page. If you don’t, the same model shows up at community colleges in Iowa, Texas and Maryland, at higher fees.
Filter All 85 Most Affordable Programs
Filter by credential, format, clinical hours, exam fee included, certification, schedule and state; tick up to three programs to compare them side by side.
85 programs
- Non-credit course
Central Sterile Processing Technician at Coastal Carolina Community College: Tuition, Hours and Certification
Coastal Carolina Community College school facts and programs · Jacksonville, NC
- Cost
- $180published total, 2026-27
- Non-credit course
Central Sterile Processing Technician (PHM-3002A3) at Wake Technical Community College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Wake Technical Community College school facts and programs · Raleigh, NC
- Weeks
- 133 months or less
- Hours
- 112instruction
- Cost
- $200published total, 2026-27
- Non-credit course
Central Sterile Preparation Technician-Hybrid at Beaufort County Community College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Beaufort County Community College school profile and campuses · Washington, NC
- Hours
- 240instruction
- Cost
- $205.25published total, 2026-27
- Non-credit course
Central Sterile Processing (PHM-3002A) at Durham Technical Community College: Admission, Cost and Length
Durham Technical Community College school facts and programs · Durham, NC
- Weeks
- 19
- Hours
- 216instruction
- Clinical
- 30hours
- Cost
- $257.25published total
- Clinicals
- Non-credit course
Central Sterile Processing at Davidson-Davie Community College: Tuition, Hours and Certification
Davidson-Davie Community College school profile and campuses · Thomasville, NC
- Weeks
- 1212 weeks
- Hours
- 180instruction
- Cost
- $286.50published total, 2026-27
- Non-credit courseCRCST prep
Central Sterile Processing at Vance-Granville Community College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Vance-Granville Community College school facts and programs · Henderson, NC
- Weeks
- 11
- Cost
- $322.60published total, 2026
- Non-credit courseCRCST prep
Central Sterile Processing Technician at Guilford Technical Community College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Guilford Technical Community College school profile and campuses · Jamestown, NC
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $328published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Textbook
- Non-credit courseCRCST prep
Central Sterile Processing Technician (CSPT) at Wilson Community College: Length, Clinicals and Exam Prep
Wilson Community College school profile and campuses · Wilson, NC
- Clinical
- 100hours
- Cost
- $348published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Non-credit course
Central Sterile Processing at Piedmont Community College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Piedmont Community College school facts and programs · Roxboro, NC
- Clinical
- 27hours
- Cost
- $353published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Certificate
Sterile Processing Technician Certificate at Northcentral Technical College: Tuition, Hours and Certification
Northcentral Technical College school profile and campuses · Wausau, WI
- Credits
- 3
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $692published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Non-credit courseCRCST prep
Sterile Processing Technician Certificate Program at Nebraska Methodist College: Tuition, Hours and Certification
Nebraska Methodist College school profile and campuses · Omaha, NE
- Weeks
- 8Eight weeks (FAQ says six weeks)
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $795published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Non-credit courseCRCST prep
Sterile Processing Technician (SPT-300) at Prince George's Community College: Tuition, Hours and Certification
Prince George's Community College school profile and campuses · Largo, MD
- Cost
- $840published course fee, Spring 2027
- Non-credit course
Sterile Processing Supply Tech at Des Moines Area Community College: Admission, Cost and Length
Des Moines Area Community College school profile and campuses · Ankeny, IA
- Hours
- 60instruction
- Clinical
- 20hours
- Cost
- $899published total
- Clinicals
- Non-credit courseCRCST prep
Sterile Processing Technician at Del Mar College: Length, Clinicals and Exam Prep
Del Mar College school profile and campuses · Corpus Christi, TX
- Hours
- 80instruction
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $900published total
- Clinicals
- Non-credit course
Sterile Processing at Kilgore College: Schedule, Cost and What It Includes
Kilgore College school profile and campuses · Kilgore, TX
- Weeks
- 8
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $900published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Exam voucher
- Non-credit course
Sterile Processing Technician Training (SPDO-05) at Iowa Western Community College: Tuition, Hours and Certification
Iowa Western Community College school facts and programs · Council Bluffs, IA
- Clinical
- 30hours
- Cost
- $925published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Textbook
- Diploma
Sterile Processing Technician, Technical Diploma at Mid-State Technical College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Mid-State Technical College school facts and programs · Wisconsin Rapids, WI
- Weeks
- 40Less than one year
- Credits
- 5
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $1,077.85published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Non-credit course
Sterile Processing (Certified Sterile Processing Technician) at Austin Community College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Austin Community College sterile processing profile · Austin, TX
- Weeks
- 133 months, about 9 hours per week
- Clinical
- Yesincluded
- Cost
- $1,140published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Certificate
Central Sterile Processing Certificate (Level 1) at Tarrant County College District: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Tarrant County College District school facts and programs · Fort Worth, TX
- Weeks
- 322 semesters, full time
- Credits
- 16
- Clinical
- 240hours
- Cost
- $1,184published total, 2026-27
- Clinicals
- Non-credit courseCRCST prep
Sterile Processing Technician (CAR 2950) at Delaware County Community College: Cost, Length and Clinical Hours
Delaware County Community College school facts and programs · Media, PA
- Hours
- 60instruction
- Clinical
- 400hours, meets 400
- Cost
- $1,295published total, Spring 2027
- Clinicals
No programs match these filters.
Program facts come from each school's own pages, reviewed November 2026. Cost is the price the school publishes for the whole program (a total or a single course fee); per-credit rates show as rates. Published prices often leave out the exam fee, books and background checks. Clinical hours, the exam fee and the textbook show as included only where the program's page says so; certification tags show the exams the page names.
Affordable Courses Outside North Carolina
These are the programs in the set with a published price below one thousand dollars, outside North Carolina’s section-fee courses.
| Program | Published cost | What it includes | Clinical time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northcentral Technical College, WI | $692 | $572 tuition and fees, $120 books and supplies | Lecture and lab |
| Nebraska Methodist College, NE | $795 | Eight-week course; $250 deposit holds a seat | One afternoon a week at Methodist Hospital |
| Prince George’s Community College, MD | $840 | Spring 2027 evening section, Mon and Wed 6 to 9 pm | |
| Des Moines Area Community College, IA | $899 | 60 contact hours | 20 hours |
| Kilgore College, TX | $900 | Tuition and the certification exam | Tuesdays and Wednesdays from week 4 |
| Del Mar College, TX | $900 | Course fee, 80 contact hours | Rotations at local hospitals |
| Iowa Western Community College, IA | $925 | Tuition, textbook, workbook, supplies, background check and drug screening | 30 hours at CHI Mercy Council Bluffs |
A blank cell means the course page lists no clinical hours.
Iowa Western’s $925 is the most complete low price in the set: it covers nearly every extra a student usually pays separately. Kilgore’s $900 includes the exam, which is worth $135 to $140 on its own. Northcentral Technical College’s $692 is a 3-credit certificate, so it carries college credit, though the college says it isn’t eligible for financial aid.
The Most Affordable Routes to All 400 CRCST Hours
If you have no hospital job to log hours in, a program that places you for all 400 is worth more than a lower fee. These are the lowest published prices among programs that include the full 400.
| Program | Published cost | Format | Exam fee included |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County Community College, PA | $1,295, books and materials included | Wednesday evenings, Jan 27 to May 19, 2027, plus a 400-hour clinical placement | No |
| McHenry County College, IL | $1,999, textbooks, materials and the CRCST exam fee included | Classroom and labs, then a 400-hour internship after you pass the exam | Yes |
| Community College of Baltimore County, MD | $2,063 series total; four optional clinical classes $752 | 109 course hours; clinicals add 400 hours | Yes |
| Queensborough Community College (CUNY), NY | $2,295 | Hybrid, evening; 400 hours with Northwell Health for eligible students | No |
| Montgomery County Community College, PA | $2,650 | 432 hours, including 400 at Pottstown Hospital | No |
| Rowan College at Burlington County, NJ | $2,750, textbook and one exam attempt included | Evening hybrid classes, then 400 hours | Yes |
| Bergen Community College, NJ | $2,950 | 60-hour theory portion, then a 400-hour unpaid internship | No |
| Yakima Valley College, WA | $3,074.45 total | 19-credit certificate, two quarters | Yes, $140 |
| Delaware Technical Community College, DE | $3,595 | Day, evening or weekend sections; 400 internship hours | Yes |
At CCBC, the clinical classes are optional and priced separately, so the full route there costs the series plus the clinicals; both figures are on the college’s page. Bergen’s internship runs in hospital shifts of 7 am to 3 pm, 3 to 11 pm or 11 pm to 7 am, which can help if you work days. Pennsylvania readers can compare more options on the Pennsylvania page, and New Jersey readers on the New Jersey page.
What a Low Course Fee Leaves Out
Read every price line to the end. The extras that schools in this set list separately are consistent:
- The certification exam. HSPA lists the CRCST exam at $140 and CBSPD lists the CSPDT exam at $135. Bergen, Delaware County and Coastal Carolina all exclude it.
- Books. Piedmont lists its textbook at $165; Davidson-Davie’s required texts run about $235; Jefferson State Community College lists its textbook at about $215 on top of a $1,795 course fee.
- Clinical clearances. Jefferson State adds $70 for the drug screen and background check, $15 for malpractice insurance and $10 for a CPR card. Kilgore adds a $20 drug test and a $30 background check.
- Scrubs and prerequisites. Chesapeake College charges $2,095, with books about $188, scrubs about $50 and a $135 Medical Terminology prerequisite extra.
The course cost calculator adds these extras to a published fee so you compare like with like, and the course cost guide explains each one.
Programs That Bundle the Exam Fee
12 of the 85 priced programs include the certification exam or a voucher in their published price. That is the simplest way to compare two offers.
- Kilgore College: $900, about eight weeks.
- Corning Community College (SUNY): $1,560, Thursdays, CSPDT voucher included.
- Temple College: $2,234 including tuition, supplies, fees, textbook, the certification exam and drug test.
- Northeast Iowa Community College: about $2,399, with the textbook and CRCST voucher.
- Virginia Western Community College: $3,198, or $1,066 with FastForward tuition assistance, with the textbook, workbook and certification test.
- University of Central Missouri: $3,645, including books, fees, the exam and 400 clinical hours.
Grants, Scholarships and Funded Seats
Several programs list their own ways to bring the price down, and some cost eligible students nothing:
- Beaufort County Community College lists its $205.25 hybrid course as free for eligible students.
- Wake Tech’s Propel scholarships can cover registration and fees.
- Des Moines Area Community College offers free training, books and supplies to qualified applicants for its $899 course.
- Delaware Tech is WIOA approved and links a SEED free-tuition application.
- Connecticut State Community College accepts WIOA and SNAP funding for its $1,800 course.
- Chesapeake College points to the EARN Maryland grant and other funding.
- Virginia Western’s FastForward assistance cuts its course to $1,066.
If you already work at a hospital, ask your employer about tuition support before you pay anything.
Community College Fee vs Career School Total
The most expensive programs in the set are private career schools, and their prices are totals, not fees.
| Program | Published cost | What the price covers |
|---|---|---|
| Premiere Career College, CA | $12,000 | 800 clock hours, a 400-hour clinical placement, books, uniforms, kit, background check and $140 certification fee |
| Berkeley College, NJ | $17,900 | 27 credits, books, background check and first exam; technology ($535) and administrative ($480) fees extra each semester |
| Fortis College, TX | $18,063 tuition | $19,727 total with books, laptop, exam and screenings; 180-hour clinical |
| Philadelphia Technician Training Institute, PA | $23,000 | 31 weeks, internships included |
Premiere’s total leads to the same 400 hours and CRCST exam as Delaware County Community College’s $1,295 course. What the higher price buys is a longer, day-time diploma with more classroom and lab hours, the full set of extras and a school-run placement. Philadelphia Technician Training Institute conferred 97 sterile processing awards in 2022-23, the most of the four.
Public credit certificates sit between the two. Atlantic Technical College in Florida lists a $2,236 in-state total for 650 clock hours. Aims Community College lists $2,702 in-district for a 17-credit certificate with a 10-week, 40-hour-a-week clinical internship. Atlanta Technical College estimates $4,098 for a certificate with 400 practicum hours.
Which Low-Cost Option Fits You
You already work in a hospital. Take the lowest fee you can find, such as Wake Tech or Coastal Carolina, and log your 400 hours on the job. Your employer’s department is your clinical site.
You have no healthcare experience. Spend a little more for a program that places you for all 400 hours. Delaware County Community College at $1,295 and McHenry County College at $1,999 are the lowest published prices with the full hours.
You work days. Prince George’s runs Monday and Wednesday evenings for $840, and Delaware County runs Wednesday evenings. Bergen’s internship offers evening and overnight shifts.
You want college credit. Northcentral Technical College’s 3-credit certificate ($692) and Mid-State Technical College’s 5-credit diploma ($1,077.85) are the lowest-priced credit options, though neither is eligible for financial aid.
You want a proven track record. Nashville State Community College reported a 100% certification exam pass rate in 2023, and Mountainland Technical College reported a 100% placement rate for FY2025.
How to Compare Prices: A Checklist
- Confirm the price is a program total, not a per-credit rate or a first-term fee.
- Add the exam if it isn’t included: $140 for CRCST or $135 for CSPDT.
- Count the clinical hours. 16 of the 85 priced programs include all 400.
- List the extras: books, background check, drug screen, scrubs, CPR and prerequisites.
- Check funding the school names, such as WIOA, Propel or FastForward.
- Check your state’s rules in the certification requirements by state guide, since the credential you need may decide the program.
Once you’re certified, keeping CRCST costs $50 to renew plus 12 continuing education credits a year. The federal occupation, Medical Equipment Preparers, had a national median pay of $47,700 in May 2025. For more options, see all sterile processing technician programs, online and hybrid programs, the CRCST guide or the program finder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Get Sterile Processing Training at No Cost?
Some programs cost eligible students nothing. Beaufort County Community College lists its $205.25 hybrid course as free for eligible students, Des Moines Area Community College offers free training, books and supplies to qualified applicants, and JVS Boston lists its 12-week program as free. Eligibility rules are set by each program.
How Much Is the Sterile Processing Certification Exam?
HSPA lists the initial CRCST exam at $140 and a retake at $140. CBSPD lists the CSPDT exam fee at $135, and convenience fees may apply. Kilgore College, Corning Community College and McHenry County College are among the programs whose price includes the exam.
Is a $200 Sterile Processing Course Enough to Get Hired?
It covers the theory. For full CRCST you also need 400 hands-on hours in a sterile processing department, which a short course like Wake Tech's doesn't supply. You can pass the CRCST exam first and finish the hours within six months as a provisional technician, or take the CSPDT exam, which accepts completion of a training course with a grade of 70 or higher.
Do Non-Credit Sterile Processing Courses Qualify for Federal Financial Aid?
Several say they don't. Northcentral Technical College, Mid-State Technical College, the University of Central Missouri and Connecticut State Community College each say their program isn't eligible for financial aid. Connecticut State accepts WIOA and SNAP funding instead.
Why Are Career College Sterile Processing Programs So Much More Expensive?
They are longer diplomas and certificates with built-in clinical hours and itemized extras. Premiere Career College's $12,000 total covers 800 clock hours, including a 400-hour clinical placement, plus books, uniforms, a background check and the $140 certification fee. Fortis College lists $18,063 in tuition.
What Does It Cost to Keep a CRCST Credential?
HSPA charges a $50 renewal fee, no matter how many certifications you hold, and requires 12 continuing education credits a year.
More Sterile Processing Rankings and Guides
- Best Sterile Processing Technician ProgramsEvery verified program, scored on hands-on hours, certification prep, cost and track record; 212 programs
- Best Online Sterile Processing Technician ProgramsOnline and hybrid programs, and how each one gets you hands-on hours; 71 programs
- Best Sterile Processing Certification ProgramsPrograms that prepare you for HSPA's CRCST or CBSPD's CSPDT exam; 149 programs
- Best Sterile Processing Technician Programs With ExternshipsPrograms with clinical hours in a hospital sterile processing department; 164 programs
- Best Accelerated Sterile Processing Technician ProgramsPrograms a school says take 16 weeks or less; 43 programs
- Best Sterile Processing Technician CoursesNon-credit workforce courses at colleges and training schools; 69 programs
- Best Community College Sterile Processing ProgramsPrograms at public community and technical colleges; 146 programs
- Best Evening and Weekend Sterile Processing ProgramsPrograms with evening or weekend classes for people who work; 41 programs
- Sterile Processing CertificationThe two national sterile processing certifications, HSPA's CRCST and CBSPD's CSPDT, who can sit each exam and which programs prepare you for them
- How Long Training TakesHow many weeks, instruction hours and clinical hours sterile processing programs take, by credential, from verified program pages
- Course Cost and Financial AidWhat sterile processing courses and certificates cost, from published program prices, what the price leaves out and how to pay for it
- Rankings by StateThe best programs in every state
- All Sterile Processing RankingsEvery ranking on one page
Sources
- Official program, tuition and admissions pages of each school listed, reviewed November 2026
- U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS 2022-23 completions: sterile processing awards (CIP 51.1012)
- Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA): CRCST certification
- Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD)
- HSPA: CRCST certification application and requirements
- HSPA: CRCST renewal
- CBSPD: CSPDT technician certification exam
- BLS OEWS: Medical Equipment Preparers (31-9093), May 2025