2026 Best Value Ironworking/Ironworker Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Ironworking/Ironworker](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/ironworking-ironworker/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong ironworking/ironworker education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for ironworking/ironworker students.
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2026 Best Value Ironworking/Ironworker Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the ironworking/ironworker degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Ironworking/Ironworker Schools
Leading the list is Ivy Tech Community College, our #1 best value for ironworking/ironworker in the Great Lakes Region. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,154, while out-of-state students pay about $9,935. Ironworking/ironworker graduates carry a median of $6,599 in student loans. Ironworking/ironworker graduates of Ivy Tech Community College earn a median of $49,030 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in ironworking/ironworker will find it at Parkland College, which ranked #2. Parkland College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $4,284 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,266 for out-of-state students. Ironworking/ironworker graduates carry a median of $10,168 in student loans. Soon after graduation, ironworking/ironworker degree recipients from Parkland College generally make around $40,409. Set against $10,168 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mid State Technical College earned it the #3 place for ironworking/ironworker. Located in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,002 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Ironworking/ironworker graduates carry a median of $4,750 in student loans. Ironworking/ironworker graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $41,678 early in their careers. Set against $4,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Northwest State Community College one of the best values for ironworking/ironworker. Set in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, compared with $9,170 for out-of-state students. Ironworking/ironworker graduates carry a median of $11,565 in student loans. Ironworking/ironworker graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,565 median debt.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 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.
