2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools in Illinois

1

Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL

For return on investment in precision metal working, no school beat Carl Sandburg College this year. Located in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,604. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Carl Sandburg College generally make around $48,534. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.

2

Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL

Moraine Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Students borrow a median of $11,149 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College
Chicago, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earned it the #3 place for precision metal working. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. That is a strong return on a $7,500 median debt.

4

Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $27,808. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,093 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $33,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,093 median debt.

6

Illinois Valley Community College
Oglesby, IL

Illinois Valley Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Oglesby. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,099. Precision Metal Working graduates of Illinois Valley Community College earn a median of $33,224 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Lewis And Clark Community College
Godfrey, IL

Lewis And Clark Community College came in at #7 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $37,195. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.

8

Danville Area Community College
Danville, IL

Danville Area Community College landed the #8 spot for precision metal working value this year. Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,470. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $36,123. That is a strong return on a $9,470 median debt.

9

Kankakee Community College
Kankakee, IL

Kankakee Community College placed #9 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,830. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Kankakee Community College generally make around $60,509. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Triton College
River Grove, IL

Triton College came in at #10 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,994. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. That is a strong return on a $12,994 median debt.

11

Shawnee Community College
Ullin, IL

Shawnee Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Students borrow a median of $11,162 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL

Lincoln Land Community College placed #12 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,744, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,272 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lincoln Land Community College generally make around $33,298. That is a strong return on a $11,272 median debt.

13

Highland Community College Freeport
Freeport, IL

Highland Community College Freeport landed the #13 spot for precision metal working value this year. Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Freeport. In-state tuition and fees average $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,783 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Highland Community College Freeport earn a median of $46,384 early in their careers. Set against $13,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL

Prairie State College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Prairie State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Chicago Heights. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,176, with out-of-state students paying around $11,064. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,663. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $37,500. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Richland Community College
Decatur, IL

Richland Community College earned the #15 position for value in precision metal working this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,680, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Joliet Junior College
Joliet, IL

Joliet Junior College came in at #16 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Joliet, Joliet Junior College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Elgin Community College
Elgin, IL

Elgin Community College placed #17 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, with out-of-state students paying around $9,516. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,727. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,975. Set against $7,727 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College
Chicago, IL

City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Kennedy King College generally make around $48,264. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Harper College
Palatine, IL

Harper College came in at #19 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Set against $10,963 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Waubonsee Community College
Sugar Grove, IL

Waubonsee Community College came in at #20 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Sugar Grove, Waubonsee Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,504 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $9,939 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,659. Set against $9,939 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Southeastern Illinois College
Harrisburg, IL

Southeastern Illinois College came in at #21 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Harrisburg, Southeastern Illinois College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, compared with $6,780 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $33,763 ten years after entry.

22

College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,560, while out-of-state students pay about $12,750. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,492. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,025. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

College Of Lake County
Grayslake, IL

College Of Lake County placed #23 among the best values for precision metal working. College Of Lake County is a very large public school located in the suburb of Grayslake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,788, while out-of-state students pay about $14,400. Students borrow a median of $9,785 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from College Of Lake County generally make around $50,314. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Spoon River College
Canton, IL

Spoon River College earned the #24 position for value in precision metal working this year. Spoon River College is a small public school located in the rural area of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,386.

25

Kishwaukee College
Malta, IL

Kishwaukee College placed #25 among the best values for precision metal working. Kishwaukee College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Malta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,560, compared with $13,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,328. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Kishwaukee College generally make around $30,398. That is a strong return on a $10,328 median debt.