[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong precision metal working education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 22 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for precision metal working students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision metal working, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked South Central College the best value for a degree in precision metal working in Minnesota. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Students borrow a median of $3,666 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of South Central College earn a median of $41,527 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Riverland Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Riverland Community College generally make around $49,194. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Hennepin Technical College, which ranked #3. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,940. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,329. Precision Metal Working graduates of Hennepin Technical College earn a median of $56,143 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Pine Technical College, which ranked #4. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $22,454 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $44,905. That is a strong return on a $22,454 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Located in the town of Hibbing, Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $17,029. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $44,387. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ridgewater College landed the #6 spot for precision metal working value this year. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,121. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,750. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Ridgewater College generally make around $44,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dakota County Technical College came in at #7 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,679. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Dakota County Technical College generally make around $50,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Cloud Technical And Community College came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Saint Cloud, St Cloud Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of St Cloud Technical And Community College earn a median of $49,636 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Granite Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,491. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $13,946. Precision Metal Working graduates of Minnesota West Community And Technical College earn a median of $42,830 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,946 median debt.
Anoka Technical College placed #10 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. Students borrow a median of $8,692 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $50,690. That is a strong return on a $8,692 median debt.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College landed the #11 spot for precision metal working value this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Students borrow a median of $9,928 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $50,842. That is a strong return on a $9,928 median debt.
Central Lakes College Brainerd placed #12 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Brainerd, Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,249. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Central Lakes College Brainerd earn a median of $40,671 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rochester Community And Technical College earned the #13 position for value in precision metal working this year. Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Rochester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,389. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northland Community And Technical College placed #14 among the best values for precision metal working. Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Thief River Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,289. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $18,550. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $46,528. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College earned the #15 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,161. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $24,036. Precision Metal Working graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,635 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alexandria Technical And Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,236. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Alexandria Technical And Community College earn a median of $51,141 early in their careers. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical landed the #17 spot for precision metal working value this year. Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Winona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,432. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Minnesota State College Southeast Technical earn a median of $49,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lake Superior College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $13,350. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,610. Set against $13,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dunwoody College Of Technology placed #19 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $27,477. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,167. Precision Metal Working graduates of Dunwoody College Of Technology earn a median of $49,874 early in their careers. Set against $9,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
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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 · 22 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
