by our College Data Analytics Team
[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong precision metal working education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 766 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for precision metal working students.
What’s on this page:
The precision metal working program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Read more about our methodology
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Precision Metal Working Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.
Williamson College Of The Trades tops our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Media, Williamson College Of The Trades is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $31,611 in tuition and fees. Williamson College Of The Trades admits about 22% of applicants.
West Georgia Technical College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. West Georgia Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Waco. Students from in state pay about $3,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,978. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,000 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,922. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Joliet Junior College, which ranked #3. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,530, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,995. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Joliet Junior College generally make around $40,118. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Johnston Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,756, compared with $8,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,490. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Johnston Community College generally make around $34,171. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Del Mar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. Students from in state pay about $3,500 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,476 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spartanburg Community College came in at #6 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,071, while out-of-state students pay about $10,135. Students borrow a median of $10,148 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,147. That is a strong return on a $10,148 median debt.
South Georgia Technical College earned the #7 position for value in precision metal working this year. South Georgia Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Americus. In-state tuition and fees average $3,992, with out-of-state students paying around $7,202. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,423 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,497. That is a strong return on a $10,423 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,200, with out-of-state students paying around $16,385. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,099. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $33,224. That is a strong return on a $8,099 median debt.
George C Wallace State Community College Dothan ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. George C Wallace State Community College Dothan is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dothan. In-state tuition and fees average $4,980, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,942 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from George C Wallace State Community College Dothan generally make around $36,834. That is a strong return on a $9,942 median debt.
Macomb Community College came in at #10 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Coastal Pines Technical College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Coastal Pines Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Waycross. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,268, while out-of-state students pay about $5,836. Students borrow a median of $5,812 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Coastal Pines Technical College earn a median of $43,040 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,812 median debt.
Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,413 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,413 median debt.
Ventura College came in at #13 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $20,250. Precision Metal Working graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College placed #14 among the best values for precision metal working. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Students from in state pay about $4,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,769. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lake Land College earn a median of $27,808 early in their careers. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,792, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,861. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,149. Set against $11,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cerritos College placed #16 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,306. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Cerritos College generally make around $29,495. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lewis And Clark Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,340, while out-of-state students pay about $7,840. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $37,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Washtenaw Community College earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Washtenaw Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ann Arbor. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $17,616. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Santa Ana College came in at #19 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Santa Ana, Santa Ana College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, while out-of-state students pay about $10,756. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,196. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,864. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cleveland Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Students borrow a median of $7,131 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Regional Technical College placed #21 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Thomasville, Southern Regional Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,007, compared with $5,575 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,086 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southern Regional Technical College earn a median of $44,007 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,086 median debt.
South Texas College earned the #22 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of McAllen, South Texas College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,920, with out-of-state students paying around $7,620. Students borrow a median of $6,868 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from South Texas College generally make around $28,716. Set against $6,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Alabama Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Rainsville, Northeast Alabama Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $8,910. Students borrow a median of $7,459 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Northeast Alabama Community College earn a median of $35,119 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,459 median debt.
Modesto Junior College placed #24 among the best values for precision metal working. Modesto Junior College is a very large public school located in the city of Modesto. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,575 median debt.
Chipola College placed #25 among the best values for precision metal working. Chipola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Marianna. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,120, while out-of-state students pay about $8,950. Students borrow a median of $9,097 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,599. That is a strong return on a $9,097 median debt.
These schools also delivered strong value for precision metal working this year:
These institutions also earned high marks for precision metal working value:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #101 | Triton College | River Grove, IL | Full Report |
| #102 | Brazosport College | Lake Jackson, TX | Full Report |
| #103 | Central Arizona College | Coolidge, AZ | Full Report |
| #104 | Rock Valley College | Rockford, IL | Full Report |
| #105 | Eastern Wyoming College | Torrington, WY | Full Report |
| #106 | Hopkinsville Community College | Hopkinsville, KY | Full Report |
| #107 | Rich Mountain Community College | Mena, AR | Full Report |
| #108 | San Joaquin Delta College | Stockton, CA | Full Report |
| #109 | West Kentucky Community And Technical College | Paducah, KY | Full Report |
| #110 | Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | Full Report |
| #111 | Coffeyville Community College | Coffeyville, KS | Full Report |
| #112 | Wytheville Community College | Wytheville, VA | Full Report |
| #113 | Westmoreland County Community College | Youngwood, PA | Full Report |
| #114 | Central Carolina Community College | Sanford, NC | Full Report |
| #115 | St Philips College | San Antonio, TX | Full Report |
These schools earned honorable mentions for value in precision metal working:
| Rank | College | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|
| #141 | York Technical College | Rock Hill, SC | Full Report |
| #142 | Salina Area Technical College | Salina, KS | Full Report |
| #143 | Henderson Community College | Henderson, KY | Full Report |
| #144 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College | Rome, GA | Full Report |
| #145 | Williston State College | Williston, ND | Full Report |
| #146 | Seattle Community College South Campus | Seattle, WA | Full Report |
| #147 | Danville Area Community College | Danville, IL | Full Report |
| #148 | Richmond Community College | Hamlet, NC | Full Report |
| #149 | Dabney S Lancaster Community College | Clifton Forge, VA | Full Report |
| #150 | Atlanta Technical College | Atlanta, GA | Full Report |
| #151 | Merced College | Merced, CA | Full Report |
| #152 | Bevill State Community College | Jasper, AL | Full Report |
| #153 | Maysville Community And Technical College | Maysville, KY | Full Report |
| #154 | Panola College | Carthage, TX | Full Report |
Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Precision Metal Working. See all related rankings.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Welding Technology/Welder | 31,500 |
| Machine Tool Technology/Machinist | 1,767 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CNC Machinist | 1,287 |
| Machine Shop Technology/Assistant | 1,178 |
| Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking | 370 |
| Precision Metal Working, Other | 252 |
| Tool and Die Technology/Technician | 213 |
| Metal Fabricator | 118 |
| Ironworking/Ironworker | 99 |
View All Precision Metal Working Concentrations >
This list is compiled 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 · 766 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 766 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.