ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Precision Metal Working Schools in Illinois

2 Colleges in the United States
2,925 Precision Metal Working Degrees Awarded
$40,219 Avg Early-Career Salary

Precision Metal Working programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 46 schools to find the best for precision metal working students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
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

Best Schools for Precision Metal Working in Illinois

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Precision Metal Working

1
Harper College crest
Harper College
Palatine, IL

Our analysis ranked Harper College the best school in the country for a degree in precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public institution. Harper College awarded about 119 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Harper College earn a median of $44,523 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,963 to complete this degree. Read more about the precision metal working program at Harper College

2

A rank of #2 makes College Of Lake County one of the top schools for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Grayslake, College Of Lake County is a very large public institution. College Of Lake County awarded about 124 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Precision Metal Working graduates of College Of Lake County earn a median of $50,314 early in their careers. College Of Lake County graduates carry a median of $9,785 in student loans. More information about a degree in precision metal working from College Of Lake County

3

Heartland Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best precision metal working schools. Heartland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Normal. There were roughly 116 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Heartland Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the precision metal working program make about $48,710 in their early career. Heartland Community College graduates carry a median of $13,266 in student loans. Read more about the precision metal working program at Heartland Community College

4
Illinois Central College crest
Illinois Central College
East Peoria, IL

A rank of #4 makes Illinois Central College one of the top schools for precision metal working. This large public university is located in the suburb of East Peoria. There were roughly 139 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Illinois Central College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the precision metal working program make about $53,190 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $12,222 to complete this degree. Read more about the precision metal working program at Illinois Central College

5

Elgin Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public university. About 72 precision metal working degrees were awarded at Elgin Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Elgin Community College generally make around $43,975. Students borrow a median of $7,727 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in precision metal working from Elgin Community College

6

Kankakee Community College earned the #6 position for precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 76 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Kankakee Community College in the most recent data year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Kankakee Community College graduates carry a median of $13,289 in student loans. Get the full precision metal working details for Kankakee Community College

7
Rock Valley College crest
Rock Valley College
Rockford, IL

Rock Valley College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Rock Valley College awarded about 58 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Typical student debt for the program is $9,236. Read more about the precision metal working program at Rock Valley College

8

Lewis And Clark Community College earned the #8 position for precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 129 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Lewis And Clark Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their precision metal working degree from Lewis And Clark Community College earn around $37,195 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $9,602 to complete this degree. Read more about the precision metal working program at Lewis And Clark Community College

9

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College came in at #9 for precision metal working this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Chicago. There were roughly 90 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College generally make around $33,326. Typical student debt for the program is $7,500. More information about a degree in precision metal working from City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College

10

Black Hawk College earned the #10 position for precision metal working this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Moline. Black Hawk College awarded about 58 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Black Hawk College earn a median of $44,286 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,340. Get the full precision metal working details for Black Hawk College

11

Waubonsee Community College landed the #11 spot for precision metal working this year. This large public university is located in the rural area of Sugar Grove. There were roughly 40 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Waubonsee Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the precision metal working program make about $39,659 in their early career. Waubonsee Community College graduates carry a median of $9,939 in student loans. More information about a degree in precision metal working from Waubonsee Community College

12
College Of Dupage crest
College Of Dupage
Glen Ellyn, IL

College Of Dupage earned the #12 position for precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Glen Ellyn, College Of Dupage is a very large public institution. About 30 precision metal working degrees were awarded at College Of Dupage in the most recent year. Students who receive their precision metal working degree from College Of Dupage earn around $43,025 in the first couple years of their career. College Of Dupage graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. More information about a degree in precision metal working from College Of Dupage

13

Sauk Valley Community College landed the #13 spot for precision metal working this year. Sauk Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dixon. About 78 precision metal working degrees were awarded at Sauk Valley Community College in the most recent year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Sauk Valley Community College earn a median of $48,855 early in their careers. Sauk Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $12,811 in student loans. Get the full precision metal working details for Sauk Valley Community College

14
Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College placed #14 among the best precision metal working schools. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. Lake Land College awarded about 122 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $27,808 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $7,769 to complete this degree. Read more about the precision metal working program at Lake Land College

15

Joliet Junior College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best precision metal working schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Joliet. Joliet Junior College awarded about 43 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their precision metal working degree from Joliet Junior College earn around $40,118 in the first couple years of their career. Joliet Junior College graduates carry a median of $11,995 in student loans. More information about a degree in precision metal working from Joliet Junior College

16

Illinois Valley Community College placed #16 among the best precision metal working schools. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Oglesby. About 39 precision metal working degrees were awarded at Illinois Valley Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Illinois Valley Community College graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. See the full precision metal working program report for Illinois Valley Community College

17

Highland Community College Freeport ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Highland Community College Freeport awarded about 25 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their precision metal working degree from Highland Community College Freeport earn around $46,384 in the first couple years of their career. Highland Community College Freeport graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. More information about a degree in precision metal working from Highland Community College Freeport

18

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Olney, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College is a large public institution. About 40 precision metal working degrees were awarded at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College in the most recent year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College earn a median of $30,893 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,434 to complete this degree. Read more about the precision metal working program at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Olney Central College

19
Kaskaskia College crest
Kaskaskia College
Centralia, IL

Kaskaskia College placed #19 among the best precision metal working schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the rural area of Centralia. There were roughly 48 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Kaskaskia College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the precision metal working program make about $45,658 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $7,875 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in precision metal working from Kaskaskia College

20

Southwestern Illinois College came in at #20 for precision metal working this year. Southwestern Illinois College is a large public school located in the suburb of Belleville. There were roughly 238 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Southwestern Illinois College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $31,692. Typical student debt for the program is $6,500. See the full precision metal working program report for Southwestern Illinois College

21

Richland Community College came in at #21 for precision metal working this year. Richland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Decatur. Richland Community College awarded about 16 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their precision metal working degree from Richland Community College earn around $46,233 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,562. See the full precision metal working program report for Richland Community College

22
Mchenry County College crest
Mchenry County College
Crystal Lake, IL

Mchenry County College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Crystal Lake, Mchenry County College is a large public institution. Mchenry County College awarded about 63 precision metal working degrees in the most recent data year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Mchenry County College earn a median of $24,177 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $7,440. More information about a degree in precision metal working from Mchenry County College

23

John Wood Community College landed the #23 spot for precision metal working this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the town of Quincy. About 32 precision metal working degrees were awarded at John Wood Community College in the most recent year. Precision Metal Working graduates of John Wood Community College earn a median of $45,748 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,844. See the full precision metal working program report for John Wood Community College

24

Lincoln Land Community College placed #24 among the best precision metal working schools. Lincoln Land Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Springfield. There were roughly 93 precision metal working students who graduated with this degree at Lincoln Land Community College in the most recent data year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $33,298 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,272. Get the full precision metal working details for Lincoln Land Community College

25
Parkland College crest
Parkland College
Champaign, IL

Parkland College came in at #25 for precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Champaign, Parkland College is a moderately-sized public university. About 17 precision metal working degrees were awarded at Parkland College in the most recent year. Precision Metal Working graduates of Parkland College earn a median of $40,409 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,168 to complete this degree. See the full precision metal working program report for Parkland College

Rest of the Top 43 Precision Metal Working Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s precision metal working ranking:

26
27
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL
28
29
30
31
32
Triton College crest
Triton College
River Grove, IL
33
34
Prairie State College crest
Prairie State College
Chicago Heights, IL
35
John A Logan College crest
John A Logan College
Carterville, IL
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43

ADBLOCK #173
View All Precision Metal Working Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 46 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options