Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision metal working, balancing cost against outcomes.
Clover Park Technical College tops our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools in Washington. Located in the city of Lakewood, Clover Park Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,634 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,154 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Clover Park Technical College generally make around $42,209. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Bates Technical College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tacoma, Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,027, with out-of-state students paying around $12,165. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,051.
A rank of #3 makes Grays Harbor College one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Aberdeen, Grays Harbor College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,593, while out-of-state students pay about $12,553. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,524 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Grays Harbor College earn a median of $46,018 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Renton Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Renton, Renton Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, compared with $7,768 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $18,582 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Renton Technical College earn a median of $80,411 early in their careers. Set against $18,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Peninsula College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Port Angeles, Peninsula College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,718 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,270. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,730 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $51,243. That is a strong return on a $12,730 median debt.
Bellingham Technical College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,431, compared with $5,809 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,748 ten years after entry.
Lake Washington Institute Of Technology placed #7 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the suburb of Kirkland, Lake Washington Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,997, while out-of-state students pay about $12,062. Students borrow a median of $19,695 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lake Washington Institute Of Technology earn a median of $60,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,208, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,486.
Spokane Community College landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Spokane, Spokane Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,461, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $35,309. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Olympic College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Bremerton, Olympic College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,472, with out-of-state students paying around $9,740. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,497. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Olympic College generally make around $23,548. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lower Columbia College landed the #11 spot for precision metal working value this year. Lower Columbia College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Longview. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,626, while out-of-state students pay about $6,003. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $14,340. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $53,280. Set against $14,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Columbia Basin College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Pasco. Students from in state pay about $6,555 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,668. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $17,170. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Columbia Basin College generally make around $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Walla Walla Community College placed #13 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Walla Walla Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,279, while out-of-state students pay about $6,700. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,500. Precision Metal Working graduates of Walla Walla Community College earn a median of $46,131 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Puget Sound Community College came in at #14 for value in precision metal working this year. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Students borrow a median of $14,245 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,430. That is a strong return on a $14,245 median debt.
Clark College earned the #15 position for value in precision metal working this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, while out-of-state students pay about $11,183. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,432. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $46,609. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.
Everett Community College earned the #16 position for value in precision metal working this year. Everett Community College is a large public school located in the city of Everett. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,032, with out-of-state students paying around $11,171. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,542 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Everett Community College earn a median of $47,441 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Perry Technical Institute ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Yakima, Perry Technical Institute is a small private not-for-profit university. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,390 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Perry Technical Institute generally make around $41,301. Set against $8,390 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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 · 24 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
