[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 20 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
For return on investment in precision metal working, no school beat Crowder College this year. Located in the town of Neosho, Crowder College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Students borrow a median of $9,887 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Crowder College earn a median of $33,869 early in their careers. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
St Charles Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Cottleville. In-state tuition and fees average $3,810, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ozarks Technical Community College came in at #3 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. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $4,737. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Ozarks Technical Community College generally make around $36,757. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
State Fair Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,176, compared with $7,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,600. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $36,908. That is a strong return on a $12,281 median debt.
Jefferson College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Jefferson College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hillsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $5,250, while out-of-state students pay about $8,850. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,664 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Jefferson College earn a median of $47,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Linn State Technical College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, with out-of-state students paying around $14,610. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,474. Precision Metal Working graduates of Linn State Technical College earn a median of $47,325 early in their careers. Set against $11,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central College placed #8 among the best values for precision metal working. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,272, with out-of-state students paying around $7,680. Students borrow a median of $12,062 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $37,925. Set against $12,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ranken Technical College placed #9 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,008 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,250 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Ranken Technical College earn a median of $44,463 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo placed #10 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Springfield, Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo is a small private for-profit institution. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,500. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $31,630. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
