by our College Data Analytics Team
[Metal Fabricator](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 schools to find the best return on investment for metal fabricator students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in metal fabricator, balancing cost against outcomes.
Mohawk Valley Community College earned the #1 spot for value among metal fabricator schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #2 makes Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology one of the best values for metal fabricator. Located in the city of Lancaster, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $9,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology generally make around $52,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value metal fabricator schools. Set in the city of Williamsport, Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, with out-of-state students paying around $25,680. Students borrow a median of $14,750 to complete the metal fabricator program here. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Pennsylvania College Of Technology generally make around $50,402. Set against $14,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.