by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 76 schools to find the best return on investment for precision metal working students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.
South Texas College tops our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools in Texas. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $6,868. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $28,716. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #2. 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, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. 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.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at College Of The Mainland, which ranked #3. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $4,140. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Del Mar College earned it the #4 place for precision metal working. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. 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.
El Paso 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 El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of El Paso Community College earn a median of $29,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
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Alvin Community College earned the #6 position for value in precision metal working this year. Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Alvin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,906, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,600 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Alvin Community College earn a median of $55,057 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College earned the #7 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,192, while out-of-state students pay about $5,904. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,916 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $28,408. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Orange landed the #8 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,832, with out-of-state students paying around $13,824. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $18,506. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lamar State College Orange earn a median of $45,299 early in their careers. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Valley Community College placed #9 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,640, compared with $5,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,323. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Trinity Valley Community College generally make around $35,123. That is a strong return on a $12,323 median debt.
Coastal Bend College earned the #10 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,609 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Amarillo College placed #11 among the best values for precision metal working. Amarillo College is a large public school located in the city of Amarillo. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,704 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,720. Precision Metal Working graduates of Amarillo College earn a median of $48,263 early in their careers. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College earned the #12 position for value in precision metal working this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Western Texas College generally make around $68,077. Set against $8,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Dallas, El Centro College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,730, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $14,557 median debt.
Victoria College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Victoria College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Victoria. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Students borrow a median of $10,910 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $50,201 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College placed #15 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, with out-of-state students paying around $9,952. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,653. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #16 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,970 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $42,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grayson College came in at #17 for value in precision metal working this year. Grayson College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Denison. Students from in state pay about $3,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,300. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,627 in student loans. 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.
Midland College landed the #18 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,180, while out-of-state students pay about $6,180. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,000. Precision Metal Working graduates of Midland College earn a median of $43,454 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,770, compared with $8,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Texas College landed the #20 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the suburb of Killeen, Central Texas College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,750, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,290. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $53,086. Set against $11,290 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Central Texas College came in at #21 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Gainesville, North Central Texas College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,739. Students borrow a median of $15,965 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,536. That is a strong return on a $15,965 median debt.
Laredo Community College came in at #22 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Laredo, Laredo Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,300, compared with $5,748 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $24,836. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ranger College placed #23 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the rural area of Ranger, Ranger College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,766 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,066. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,749 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Ranger College generally make around $35,756. That is a strong return on a $12,749 median debt.
Kilgore College came in at #24 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Students borrow a median of $16,734 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $44,322 early in their careers. Set against $16,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tarrant County College District earned the #25 position for value in precision metal working this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Set against $15,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.