ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Metal Fabricator Associate’s Degree Schools

4 Colleges in the United States
$11,978 Avg Student Debt
$43,960 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Metal Fabricator Associate's Degree Badge [Metal Fabricator](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 34 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value metal fabricator schools.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 48.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Welding)" with relevance 0.7
DEBUG: ✗ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Welding)" REJECTED (relevance 0.7)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 0
DEBUG: No relevant offers, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Metal Fabricator Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in metal fabricator, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Metal Fabricator Schools

1

Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for metal fabricator in the United States. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the metal fabricator program here. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $41,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

State Fair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in metal fabricator, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,176 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,416. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $15,328. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. That is a strong return on a $15,328 median debt.

3

A rank of #3 makes Mohawk Valley Community College one of the best values for metal fabricator. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,851. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $11,900. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $38,373. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.

4

Waukesha County Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in metal fabricator, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $43,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in metal fabricator, landing the #5 spot this year. Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public school located in the city of Lancaster. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $52,298. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

ADBLOCK #101
6

Fox Valley Technical College came in at #6 for value in metal fabricator this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $7,283. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $7,664. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $52,449. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Everett Community College landed the #7 spot for metal fabricator value this year. Located in the city of Everett, Everett Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,032 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. Students borrow a median of $13,542 to complete the metal fabricator program here. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Everett Community College generally make around $47,441. That is a strong return on a $13,542 median debt.

8

Grand Rapids Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value metal fabricator schools. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $4,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,219. Students borrow a median of $4,540 to complete the metal fabricator program here. Metal Fabricator graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $50,089 early in their careers. Set against $4,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Helena College University Of Montana ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value metal fabricator schools. Helena College University Of Montana is a small public school located in the city of Helena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,106, compared with $11,278 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $19,906. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $47,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Pennsylvania College Of Technology earned the #10 position for value in metal fabricator this year. Located in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, while out-of-state students pay about $25,680. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $14,750. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $50,402. That is a strong return on a $14,750 median debt.

Other Metal Fabricator Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Metal Fabricator rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Metal Fabricator
Bachelor's Degrees in Metal Fabricator
Master's Degrees in Metal Fabricator
ADBLOCK #173
View All Metal Fabricator Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 34 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options