[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) 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 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value precision metal working schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in precision metal working, no school beat Lakeshore Technical College this year. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,582. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $48,619 early in their careers. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Rice Lake. In-state tuition and fees average $4,926, with out-of-state students paying around $7,169. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College generally make around $42,282. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gateway Technical College earned it the #3 place for precision metal working. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,956, compared with $7,199 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,700 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $38,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Waukesha County Technical College one of the best values for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,803, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,380. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Nicolet Area Technical College, which ranked #5. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,793, compared with $7,066 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Nicolet Area Technical College earn a median of $46,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. Students from in state pay about $4,819 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,084 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $41,073 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College earned the #8 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,904, with out-of-state students paying around $7,147. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $35,167. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,960, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College generally make around $41,421. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Blackhawk Technical College came in at #10 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Janesville, Blackhawk Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,747 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $13,715. Precision Metal Working graduates of Blackhawk Technical College earn a median of $44,698 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mid State Technical College placed #11 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $4,750 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,653. That is a strong return on a $4,750 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,664. Precision Metal Working graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $52,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #13 for value in precision metal working this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. Students from in state pay about $4,889 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,132 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $47,718. Set against $5,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College placed #14 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,109 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $48,638. Set against $8,109 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Technical College La Cross placed #15 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Western Technical College La Cross earn a median of $40,624 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College came in at #16 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, while out-of-state students pay about $7,141. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,500. Precision Metal Working graduates of Madison Area Technical College earn a median of $37,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
