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2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools in the The Plains States Region

18 Colleges in the United States
$12,156 Avg Student Debt
$43,464 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Badge [Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 102 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value precision metal working schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools in the The Plains States Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Hutchinson Community College the best value for a degree in precision metal working in the The Plains States Region. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Students from in state pay about $3,540 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,770. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $18,148. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $42,285. That is a strong return on a $18,148 median debt.

2

A rank of #2 makes Metropolitan Community College Area one of the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Area generally make around $45,583. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Crowder College crest
Crowder College
Neosho, MO

Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Crowder College, which ranked #3. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. In-state tuition and fees average $4,104, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,887 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $33,869. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, while out-of-state students pay about $5,408. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,175 median debt.

5

Salina Area Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Salina, Salina Area Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Salina Area Technical College generally make around $38,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6
Central Community College crest
Central Community College
Grand Island, NE

Central Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Grand Island, Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,360 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Central Community College generally make around $39,409. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

St Charles Community College came in at #7 for value in precision metal working this year. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $47,228. That is a strong return on a $12,606 median debt.

8

Western Nebraska Community College came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, while out-of-state students pay about $4,410. Students borrow a median of $14,507 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Fort Scott Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. Students from in state pay about $3,390 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $3,840. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Fort Scott Community College earn a median of $40,041 early in their careers. Set against $12,990 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Marshalltown Community College placed #10 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,577. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,972. Set against $11,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Coffeyville Community College placed #11 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,838. Precision Metal Working graduates of Coffeyville Community College earn a median of $45,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Dodge City Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Dodge City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $5,850. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,427 ten years after entry.

13

Indian Hills Community College earned the #13 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, compared with $6,120 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned the #14 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $36,908 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.

15

Southeast Community College Area earned the #15 position for value in precision metal working this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,650. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $49,114. That is a strong return on a $11,650 median debt.

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16

Williston State College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Williston State College generally make around $42,984. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.

17

Mid Plains Community College came in at #17 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,600, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Students borrow a median of $14,596 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Mid Plains Community College earn a median of $39,396 early in their careers. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Cowley County Community College earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Arkansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $6,600. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Northeast Community College landed the #19 spot for precision metal working value this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $4,737 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,757 early in their careers. Set against $4,737 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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21

State Fair Community College landed the #21 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of State Fair Community College earn a median of $39,168 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Western Iowa Tech Community College earned the #22 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,910 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $41,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23
Jefferson College crest
Jefferson College
Hillsboro, MO

Jefferson College came in at #23 for value in precision metal working this year. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

North Iowa Area Community College placed #24 among the best values for precision metal working. North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Mason City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, compared with $9,551 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,043 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.

25

Pratt Community College came in at #25 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Pratt, Pratt Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, compared with $4,936 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,327. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $61,703. That is a strong return on a $10,327 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in precision metal working:

26
27
28
29
Kirkwood Community College crest
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids, IA
30
31
32
South Central College crest
South Central College
North Mankato, MN
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
Hennepin Technical College crest
Hennepin Technical College
Brooklyn Park, MN
43
Ridgewater College crest
Ridgewater College
Willmar, MN
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 102 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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