2026 Best Value Precision Production Schools in the The Plains States Region

[Precision Production](/majors/production-product-development/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong precision production education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 103 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value precision production schools.
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2026 Best Value Precision Production Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision production, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Precision Production Schools
For return on investment in precision production, no school beat Hutchinson Community College this year. Hutchinson Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Hutchinson. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,540, compared with $4,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $18,148. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Hutchinson Community College generally make around $42,285. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in precision production will find it at Metropolitan Community College Area, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,375 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,950. Students borrow a median of $12,799 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $45,583. Set against $12,799 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Crowder College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision production, landing the #3 spot 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, compared with $5,784 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $9,887. Precision Production 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.
Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision production, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Liberal, Seward County Community College And Area Technical School is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,032, compared with $5,408 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,175 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Seward County Community College And Area Technical School earn a median of $53,375 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salina Area Technical College earned it the #5 place for precision production. Salina Area Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Salina. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,128. Students borrow a median of $17,124 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Salina Area Technical College earn a median of $38,440 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,124 median debt.
Central Community College earned the #6 position for value in precision production this year. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, compared with $4,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Central Community College earn a median of $39,409 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
St Charles Community College landed the #7 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the suburb of Cottleville, St Charles Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $12,606 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from St Charles Community College generally make around $47,228. Set against $12,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Nebraska Community College earned the #8 position for value in precision production this year. Western Nebraska Community College is a small public school located in the town of Scottsbluff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $4,410. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $62,413. That is a strong return on a $14,507 median debt.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #9 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $11,577. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Marshalltown Community College generally make around $45,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fort Scott Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value precision production schools. Fort Scott Community College is a small public school located in the town of Fort Scott. In-state tuition and fees average $3,390, while out-of-state students pay about $3,840. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $12,990 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Fort Scott Community College generally make around $40,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Coffeyville Community College landed the #11 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the town of Coffeyville, Coffeyville Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,600, compared with $4,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $12,838. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Coffeyville Community College generally make around $45,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Dodge City Community College earned the #12 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the town of Dodge City, Dodge City Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $5,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,427.
Indian Hills Community College earned the #13 position for value in precision production this year. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Indian Hills Community College earn a median of $49,626 early in their careers. Set against $15,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Metropolitan Community College Kansas City landed the #14 spot for precision production value this year. Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public school located in the city of Kansas City. In-state tuition and fees average $3,630, while out-of-state students pay about $9,600. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $12,281 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Metropolitan Community College Kansas City generally make around $36,908. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area came in at #15 for value in precision production this year. Southeast Community College Area is a large public school located in the city of Lincoln. In-state tuition and fees average $3,444, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $11,650 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $49,114. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Williston State College came in at #16 for value in precision production this year. Located in the town of Williston, Williston State College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $6,114 in tuition and fees. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $15,400 in student loans. Precision Production graduates of Williston State College earn a median of $42,984 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,400 median debt.
Mid Plains Community College came in at #17 for value in precision production this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,530 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $14,596. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $39,396. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cowley County Community College earned the #18 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the town of Arkansas City, Cowley County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800, with out-of-state students paying around $6,600. Students borrow a median of $9,312 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Cowley County Community College earn a median of $34,099 early in their careers. Set against $9,312 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Community College came in at #19 for value in precision production this year. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. In-state tuition and fees average $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $5,500. Early-career precision production graduates make about $38,353. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ozarks Technical Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value precision production schools. Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,256, while out-of-state students pay about $7,040. Students borrow a median of $4,737 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production 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 landed the #21 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the town of Sedalia, State Fair Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Students borrow a median of $15,328 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $39,168. Set against $15,328 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Iowa Tech Community College landed the #22 spot for precision production value this year. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,186, compared with $5,330 for out-of-state students. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $7,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $41,613. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Jefferson College earned the #23 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,250 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production 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.
North Iowa Area Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value precision production schools. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $44,466. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pratt Community College came in at #25 for value in precision production this year. Pratt Community College is a small public school located in the town of Pratt. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,256, compared with $4,936 for out-of-state students. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $10,327 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Pratt Community College generally make around $61,703. Set against $10,327 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Precision Production Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in precision production:
Narrow Precision Production Schools by State
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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 · 103 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.