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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools in the Southeast Region

12 Colleges in the United States
$11,307 Avg Student Debt
$34,941 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 314 schools to find the best return on investment for precision metal working students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools in the Southeast Region

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

Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools

1

For return on investment in precision metal working, no school beat West Georgia Technical College this year. Located in the rural area of Waco, West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,000. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,922. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at South Georgia Technical College, which ranked #2. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,992, compared with $7,202 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. 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.

3

Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Rome, Georgia Northwestern Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,868 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,492. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Georgia Northwestern Technical College generally make around $38,002. That is a strong return on a $8,492 median debt.

4

Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Coastal Pines Technical College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Waycross, Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,268, with out-of-state students paying around $5,836. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,812. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,040. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.

5

A rank of #5 makes Central Carolina Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Central Carolina Community College earn a median of $38,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Oconee Fall Line Technical College earned the #6 position 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. Students from in state pay about $3,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,948. Students borrow a median of $12,718 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Oconee Fall Line Technical College earn a median of $38,673 early in their careers. Set against $12,718 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Central Piedmont Community College ranked #7 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, compared with $8,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,861. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,149. That is a strong return on a $11,861 median debt.

8

Wilkes Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Wilkesboro. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,716. Students borrow a median of $9,125 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.

9

George C Wallace State Community College Dothan landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Dothan, George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,980 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,942. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $36,834. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.

10

Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northeast Alabama Community College generally make around $35,119. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Florida State College At Jacksonville earned the #11 position for value in precision metal working this year. Florida State College At Jacksonville is a very large public school located in the city of Jacksonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,657, compared with $9,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $19,139. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Florida State College At Jacksonville generally make around $46,748. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College came in at #12 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,413 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $49,879. Set against $9,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Southern Regional Technical College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Thomasville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,086 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $44,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14
Chipola College crest
Chipola College
Marianna, FL

Chipola College earned the #14 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Marianna, Chipola College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,950. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,097 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Chipola College generally make around $43,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Pensacola State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Pensacola, Pensacola State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,361 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,463. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Pensacola State College generally make around $45,811. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

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Florence Darlington Technical College landed the #16 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,636, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

East Mississippi Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. East Mississippi Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Scooba. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,095, while out-of-state students pay about $7,445. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from East Mississippi Community College generally make around $35,345. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

18

Cleveland Community College earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Cleveland Community College generally make around $39,891. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.

19

Lurleen B Wallace Community College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Andalusia, Lurleen B Wallace Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,190, compared with $9,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lurleen B Wallace Community College earn a median of $32,714 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Johnston Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $34,171. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

Patrick Henry Community College came in at #21 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Martinsville, Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,235. Precision Metal Working graduates of Patrick Henry Community College earn a median of $37,030 early in their careers. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Durham Technical Community College earned the #22 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Durham, Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,531 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $20,408 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. That is a strong return on a $20,408 median debt.

23

Owensboro Community And Technical College came in at #23 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. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,475 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Rockingham Community College placed #24 among the best values for precision metal working. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $50,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Hinds Community College landed the #25 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the rural area of Raymond, Hinds Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, with out-of-state students paying around $7,300. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Hinds Community College earn a median of $22,434 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s precision metal working value ranking:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
Martin Community College crest
Martin Community College
Williamston, NC
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

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 · 314 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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