by our College Data Analytics Team
[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1018 schools to find the best return on investment for precision metal working students.
What’s on this page:
Where you study precision metal working affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.
Williamson College Of The Trades tops our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes West Georgia Technical College one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,410, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of West Georgia Technical College earn a median of $39,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes Cerritos College one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $11,306 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Set against $11,306 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Georgia Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Americus, South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,423 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from South Georgia Technical College generally make around $40,497. Set against $10,423 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $5,868. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,492 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,002. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.
1
2
3
4
5
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,149. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.
Central Carolina Community College placed #7 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,266. Precision Metal Working graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College placed #8 among the best values for precision metal working. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Mt San Antonio College generally make around $44,391. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earned the #9 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,413. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coastal Pines Technical College earned the #10 position for value in precision metal working this year. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, compared with $5,836 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,812 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Coastal Pines Technical College generally make around $43,040. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #11 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Oconee Fall Line Technical College came in at #12 for value in precision metal working this year. Oconee Fall Line Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sandersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,380, with out-of-state students paying around $5,948. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,718 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Oconee Fall Line Technical College generally make around $38,673. That is a strong return on a $12,718 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earned the #13 position for value in precision metal working this year. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, with out-of-state students paying around $8,850. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of George C Wallace State Community College Dothan earn a median of $36,834 early in their careers. Set against $9,942 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fresno City College landed the #14 spot for precision metal working value this year. Fresno City College is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $1,378 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,234. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Fresno City College generally make around $37,470. Set against $7,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Florida State College At Jacksonville ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Jacksonville, Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,657, while out-of-state students pay about $9,631. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $19,139 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
East Mississippi Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the rural area of Scooba, East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,095 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,445. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,345. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Reedley College landed the #17 spot for precision metal working value this year. Reedley College is a large public school located in the town of Reedley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,378, with out-of-state students paying around $8,638. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Reedley College earn a median of $30,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Land College earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,769. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $27,808. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Northeast Alabama Community College came in at #19 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,459. Precision Metal Working graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pima Community College earned the #20 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,442, compared with $7,758 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #21 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,475 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Johnston Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $34,171. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #23 for value in precision metal working this year. Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Galesburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
South Texas College came in at #24 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $28,716. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,007 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Southern Regional Technical College generally make around $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for precision metal working this year:
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Precision Metal Working is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Welding Technology/Welder | 29,862 |
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 1,685 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 1,290 |
| Machine Shop Technology/Assistant | 1,277 |
| Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking | 348 |
| Tool and Die Technology/Technician | 258 |
| Precision Metal Working, Other | 253 |
| Ironworking/Ironworker | 158 |
| Metal Fabricator | 137 |
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 · 1018 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 75 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.