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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 Southwest Region

12 Colleges in the United States
$11,793 Avg Student Debt
$38,107 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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 140 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 Southwest 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

Leading the list is Pima Community College, our #1 best value for precision metal working in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,442, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $41,132. That is a strong return on a $10,655 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes South Texas College one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Brazosport College crest
Brazosport College
Lake Jackson, TX

A rank of #3 makes Brazosport College one of the best values for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $32,746. That is a strong return on a $6,625 median debt.

4
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

A rank of #4 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for precision metal working. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,310, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of College Of The Mainland earn a median of $40,788 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Central New Mexico Community 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 Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $6,440 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $42,162. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Del Mar College crest
Del Mar College
Corpus Christi, TX

Del Mar College landed the #6 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, compared with $6,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,476. Precision Metal Working graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $40,661 early in their careers. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Gateway Community College Central City ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Central City is a small public institution. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,037. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

El Paso Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $29,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Alvin Community College came in at #9 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,906, while out-of-state students pay about $4,402. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $55,057. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus came in at #10 for value in precision metal working this year. Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Roswell. Students from in state pay about $2,256 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,616. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,110 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Lamar State College Orange came in at #11 for value in precision metal working this year. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $18,506 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lamar State College Orange generally make around $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12
San Juan College crest
San Juan College
Farmington, NM

San Juan College came in at #12 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $16,150. Precision Metal Working graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,150 median debt.

13

Wharton County Junior College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Wharton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Students borrow a median of $10,916 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $28,408 early in their careers. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Clovis Community College landed the #14 spot for precision metal working value this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,592, while out-of-state students pay about $3,344. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Set against $11,082 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Central Arizona College placed #15 among the best values for precision metal working. Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Coolidge. In-state tuition and fees average $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,635 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Central Arizona College generally make around $48,826. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Trinity Valley Community College placed #16 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,323. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $35,123. Set against $12,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17
Coastal Bend College crest
Coastal Bend College
Beeville, TX

Coastal Bend College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,916, while out-of-state students pay about $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the precision metal working program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $35,086. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18
El Centro College crest
El Centro College
Dallas, TX

El Centro College landed the #18 spot for precision metal working value this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, while out-of-state students pay about $6,900. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $14,557. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $35,102. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Western Texas College came in at #19 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Snyder, Western Texas College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,300, while out-of-state students pay about $6,150. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,691. Precision Metal Working graduates of Western Texas College earn a median of $68,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.

20
Amarillo College crest
Amarillo College
Amarillo, TX

Amarillo College came in at #20 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Students borrow a median of $15,720 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,720 median debt.

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Victoria College crest
Victoria College
Victoria, TX

Victoria College landed the #21 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,910. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $50,201. Set against $10,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Austin Community College District came in at #22 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,970 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $42,270. That is a strong return on a $14,970 median debt.

23
St Philips College crest
St Philips College
San Antonio, TX

St Philips College earned the #23 position for value in precision metal working this year. St Philips College is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $3,412 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,653. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,185. That is a strong return on a $15,653 median debt.

24

Navajo Technical College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Crownpoint, Navajo Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,498. Median earnings reach $26,364 ten years out.

25
Grayson College crest
Grayson College
Denison, TX

Grayson College placed #25 among the best values for precision metal working. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,000, compared with $6,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,627 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Grayson College generally make around $42,487. That is a strong return on a $11,627 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for precision metal working this year:

26
Midland College crest
Midland College
Midland, TX
27
28
29
30
31
Yavapai College crest
Yavapai College
Prescott, AZ
32
33
Kilgore College crest
Kilgore College
Kilgore, TX
34
35
Ranger College crest
Ranger College
Ranger, TX
36
37
38
39
Vernon College crest
Vernon College
Vernon, TX
40
41
42
43
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX
44
Hill College crest
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX
45
South Plains College crest
South Plains College
Levelland, TX
46
47
Cochise College crest
Cochise College
Sierra Vista, AZ
48
Panola College crest
Panola College
Carthage, TX
49
Texarkana College crest
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX
50

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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 · 140 schools evaluated.

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

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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