by our College Data Analytics Team
[Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/sheet-metal-technology-sheetworking/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 35 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the sheet metal technology/sheetworking degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Bates Technical College, our #1 best value for sheet metal technology/sheetworking in the United States. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,027, compared with $12,165 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
American River College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sheet metal technology/sheetworking, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the sheet metal technology/sheetworking program here. Early-career sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Muskegon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sheet metal technology/sheetworking, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Muskegon, Muskegon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,250, with out-of-state students paying around $16,010. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $14,928. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Muskegon Community College generally make around $48,267. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Long Beach City College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking will find it at Ivy Tech Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Students borrow a median of $6,810 to complete the sheet metal technology/sheetworking program here. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $56,292. That is a strong return on a $6,810 median debt.
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Palomar College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools. Located in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Honolulu Community College earned the #7 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Honolulu Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $3,174, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $10,868. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Honolulu Community College earn a median of $59,006 early in their careers. Set against $10,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #8 spot for sheet metal technology/sheetworking value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,358, compared with $13,024 for out-of-state students. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College came in at #9 for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Set in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the sheet metal technology/sheetworking program here. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Illinois College landed the #10 spot for sheet metal technology/sheetworking value this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,230, compared with $6,720 for out-of-state students. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #11 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Set in the rural area of Perkinston, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $11,653. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College came in at #12 for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $17,170. Early-career sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates make about $63,976. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Vincennes University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools. Vincennes University is a very large public school located in the town of Vincennes. In-state tuition and fees average $7,126, with out-of-state students paying around $16,858. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $12,000. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Vincennes University earn a median of $45,976 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Billings earned the #14 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Located in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $25,465. Early-career sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates make about $41,875. Set against $25,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Superior College placed #15 among the best values for sheet metal technology/sheetworking. Set in the city of Duluth, Lake Superior College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785. Students borrow a median of $13,350 to complete the sheet metal technology/sheetworking program here. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Lake Superior College generally make around $42,543. Set against $13,350 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking rankings across degree levels:
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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.