DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: offers_data.offers found, count = 1
DEBUG: Specific major detected (cip4 = 48.05), keeping min_relevance at 0.8
DEBUG: Starting relevance filtering - min_relevance = 0.8, max_relevance = 1
DEBUG: Checking offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Welding)" with relevance 0.8
DEBUG: ✓ Offer "Trade & Vocational Programs (Welding)" ACCEPTED (relevance 0.8)
DEBUG: relevant_offers count = 1
DEBUG: relevant_offers > 0, checking for ESYOH offers
DEBUG: ESYOH filtering - found 1 ESYOH offers with relevance >= 0.8
DEBUG: esyoh_offers count = 1
DEBUG: ESYOH offers found, rendering ESYOH widget
DEBUG: most_relevant_only = true, filtering for most relevant
DEBUG: Found 0 offers with relevance >= 1.0
DEBUG: Backfilling with 0 offers with relevance >= 0.9
DEBUG: Backfilling with 1 offers with relevance >= 0.8
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision metal working, balancing cost against outcomes.
Marshalltown Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools in Iowa. 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, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. 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.
Indian Hills Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,390. Precision Metal Working graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,043. Precision Metal Working graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Western Iowa Tech Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Sioux City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, while out-of-state students pay about $5,330. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,910 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,613. Set against $7,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, compared with $8,220 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $48,114. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
ADBLOCK #101
Iowa Central Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $27,404. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern Iowa Community College District came in at #7 for value in precision metal working this year. Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public school located in the city of Davenport. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, while out-of-state students pay about $6,456. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Eastern Iowa Community College District earn a median of $41,510 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,995 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Creston, Southwestern Community College Creston is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,064 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southwestern Community College Creston earn a median of $46,106 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar placed #9 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,780 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,479 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar generally make around $43,588. Set against $5,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,612. Students borrow a median of $7,874 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $45,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Lakes Community College placed #11 among the best values for precision metal working. Iowa Lakes Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Estherville. Students from in state pay about $7,392 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,872. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $20,876. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Iowa Lakes Community College generally make around $46,937. Set against $20,876 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #12 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Des Moines Area Community College earn a median of $39,397 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $27,761. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College placed #14 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Students borrow a median of $12,271 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $54,373. That is a strong return on a $12,271 median debt.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of West Burlington, Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $16,126. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,760. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
