[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.
College Factual analyzed 104 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value precision metal working schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Joliet Junior College, our #1 best value for precision metal working in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. In-state tuition and fees average $4,530, with out-of-state students paying around $13,800. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,995. Precision Metal Working graduates of Joliet Junior College earn a median of $40,118 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,995 median debt.
Illinois Valley Community College came in at #2 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. In-state tuition and fees average $4,200, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Macomb Community College earned it the #3 place for precision metal working. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Macomb Community College earn a median of $38,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $27,808. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lewis And Clark Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Godfrey. Students from in state pay about $4,340 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,602. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lewis And Clark Community College generally make around $37,195. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Washtenaw Community College landed the #6 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,736 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,616 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,332. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College landed the #7 spot for precision metal working value this year. Moraine Valley Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Palos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, with out-of-state students paying around $9,846. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,844. Set against $11,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lorain County Community College earned the #8 position for value in precision metal working this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,265, while out-of-state students pay about $8,860. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,095. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richland Community College landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,680, with out-of-state students paying around $17,070. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Set against $9,562 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #10 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,744, while out-of-state students pay about $10,464. Students borrow a median of $11,272 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $33,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College landed the #11 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Kankakee Community College earn a median of $60,509 early in their careers. Set against $13,289 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Spoon River College earned the #12 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, compared with $13,500 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Carl Sandburg College came in at #13 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,390, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $8,604 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. Set against $8,604 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delta College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of University Center, Delta College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Delta College generally make around $34,112. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Triton College landed the #15 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the suburb of River Grove, Triton College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, compared with $15,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,994 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College landed the #16 spot for precision metal working value this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,144, while out-of-state students pay about $9,094. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,525. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $44,198. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Suburban College landed the #17 spot for precision metal working value this year. South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of South Holland. In-state tuition and fees average $5,093, compared with $12,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,904 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from South Suburban College generally make around $42,425. Set against $7,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,334, compared with $7,379 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,236. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College landed the #19 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $17,730 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $47,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Shawnee Community College landed the #20 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the rural area of Ullin, Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, with out-of-state students paying around $7,500. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,162. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport earned the #21 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College came in at #22 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,440, while out-of-state students pay about $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $36,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $6,599 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $49,030. That is a strong return on a $6,599 median debt.
Elgin Community College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Elgin Community College is a large public school located in the city of Elgin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,727 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John A Logan College landed the #25 spot for precision metal working value this year. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, with out-of-state students paying around $7,540. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. Set against $10,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in precision metal working:
Narrow Precision Metal Working Schools by State
More Precision Metal Working Rankings
View All Precision Metal Working Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.
