[Metal Fabricator](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for metal fabricator students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the metal fabricator degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Nicolet Area Technical College, our #1 best value for metal fabricator in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Metal Fabricator graduates of Nicolet Area Technical College earn a median of $46,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Rapids Community College earned it the #2 place for metal fabricator. Grand Rapids Community College is a large public school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,179, with out-of-state students paying around $12,219. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $4,540 in student loans. Metal Fabricator graduates of Grand Rapids Community College earn a median of $42,066 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Milwaukee Area Technical College earned it the #3 place for metal fabricator. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Metal Fabricator graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Park Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in metal fabricator, landing the #4 spot this year. Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fond du Lac. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $7,000. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Moraine Park Technical College generally make around $39,552. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Lakeshore Technical College one of the best values for metal fabricator. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,087 for out-of-state students. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Metal Fabricator graduates of Lakeshore Technical College earn a median of $41,252 early in their careers. Set against $11,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #6 position for value in metal fabricator this year. Set in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,960 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,203. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $5,500. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $41,421. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mid State Technical College came in at #7 for value in metal fabricator this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $4,750. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $38,653. Set against $4,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Waukesha County Technical College placed #8 among the best values for metal fabricator. Waukesha County Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Pewaukee. Students from in state pay about $4,803 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,046. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Waukesha County Technical College generally make around $43,380. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fox Valley Technical College landed the #9 spot for metal fabricator value this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, compared with $7,283 for out-of-state students. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $7,664 in student loans. Metal Fabricator graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $52,978 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #10 position for value in metal fabricator this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Students borrow a median of $8,109 to complete the metal fabricator program here. Metal Fabricator graduates of Chippewa Valley Technical College earn a median of $48,638 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,109 median debt.
Madison Area Technical College placed #11 among the best values for metal fabricator. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,977, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the metal fabricator program here. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $37,860. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
