[Metal Fabricator](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/metal-fabricator/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong metal fabricator education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Lakeshore Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among metal fabricator schools in Wisconsin. Set in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $11,582. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $48,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Waukesha County Technical College earned it the #2 place for metal fabricator. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,803, compared with $7,046 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the metal fabricator program here. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $43,380. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in metal fabricator will find it at Nicolet Area Technical College, which ranked #3. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,793, with out-of-state students paying around $7,066. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $46,419. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Milwaukee Area Technical College one of the best values for metal fabricator. Set in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,184, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $9,500. Metal Fabricator graduates of Milwaukee Area Technical College earn a median of $38,325 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Moraine Park Technical College one of the best values for metal fabricator. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,819, while out-of-state students pay about $7,084. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $7,000. Metal Fabricator graduates of Moraine Park Technical College earn a median of $39,552 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earned the #6 position for value in metal fabricator this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,960, compared with $7,203 for out-of-state students. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Metal Fabricator graduates of Northeast Wisconsin Technical College earn a median of $41,421 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Mid State Technical College landed the #7 spot for metal fabricator value this year. Set in the town of Wisconsin Rapids, Mid State Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, with out-of-state students paying around $7,171. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $4,750 in student loans. Metal Fabricator graduates of Mid State Technical College earn a median of $38,653 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,750 median debt.
Fox Valley Technical College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value metal fabricator schools. Located in the suburb of Appleton, Fox Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Metal Fabricator graduates carry a median of $7,664 in student loans. Early-career metal fabricator graduates make about $52,978. That is a strong return on a $7,664 median debt.
Chippewa Valley Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value metal fabricator schools. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,844 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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 #10 among the best values for metal fabricator. Set in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,977 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,141. Typical student debt for metal fabricator graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, metal fabricator degree recipients from Madison Area Technical College generally make around $37,860. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 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.
