[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 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.
For return on investment in precision metal working, no school beat Williston State College this year. Set in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,114. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bismarck State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #2 spot this year. Bismarck State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bismarck. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,247, compared with $7,331 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,340 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $61,364. That is a strong return on a $13,340 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes North Dakota State College Of Science one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Wahpeton, North Dakota State College Of Science is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,974, compared with $6,973 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from North Dakota State College Of Science generally make around $51,647. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dickinson State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Dickinson State University is a small public school located in the town of Dickinson. Students from in state pay about $9,118 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,266 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $51,049. That is a strong return on a $27,266 median debt. Dickinson State University admits about 37% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Lynnes Welding Training earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Set in the city of Fargo, Lynnes Welding Training is a small private for-profit institution. Students borrow a median of $3,700 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,833.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
