[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 27 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value precision metal working schools.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in precision metal working, no school beat Lorain County Community College this year. Lorain County Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Elyria. In-state tuition and fees average $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. That is a strong return on a $17,611 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Cincinnati State Technical And Community College, which ranked #2. Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Students from in state pay about $5,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,044. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $17,730. Precision Metal Working graduates of Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,730 median debt.
Sinclair Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Dayton, Sinclair Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,675, compared with $8,556 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,525 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Sinclair Community College earn a median of $35,348 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,525 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Belmont College earned it the #4 place for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of St Clairsville, Belmont College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,698, with out-of-state students paying around $7,200. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $20,524. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Belmont College generally make around $58,414. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Owens Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the suburb of Perrysburg, Owens Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,870, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $19,383. Precision Metal Working graduates of Owens Community College earn a median of $45,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest State Community College earned the #6 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Archbold, Northwest State Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,698, with out-of-state students paying around $9,170. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,565. Precision Metal Working graduates of Northwest State Community College earn a median of $45,123 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Great Oaks Career Campuses came in at #7 for value in precision metal working this year. Great Oaks Career Campuses is a small public school located in the suburb of Cincinnati. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $6,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Great Oaks Career Campuses generally make around $41,277. That is a strong return on a $6,078 median debt.
Hocking College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Nelsonville, Hocking College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,646, while out-of-state students pay about $10,290. Students borrow a median of $16,535 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Hocking College earn a median of $37,713 early in their careers. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the rural area of Jefferson, Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus is a small public institution. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $16,535 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Ashtabula County Technical And Career Campus generally make around $42,717. Set against $16,535 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Polaris Career Center came in at #10 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Middleburg Heights, Polaris Career Center is a small public university. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $6,365. Precision Metal Working graduates of Polaris Career Center earn a median of $32,228 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Auburn Career Center came in at #11 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Concord Twp, Auburn Career Center is a small public institution. Students borrow a median of $10,807 to complete the precision metal working program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $37,032 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,807 median debt.
Lorain County Joint Vocational School District landed the #12 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the rural area of Oberlin, Lorain County Joint Vocational School District is a small public institution. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,776 ten years after entry.
Terra State Community College came in at #13 for value in precision metal working this year. Terra State Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fremont. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,748, while out-of-state students pay about $8,544. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $24,070 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Terra State Community College earn a median of $63,495 early in their careers. Set against $24,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastland Fairfield Career And Technical Schools landed the #14 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the suburb of Groveport, Eastland Fairfield Career And Technical Schools is a small public institution. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $6,485. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,328. That is a strong return on a $6,485 median debt.
Hobart Institute Of Welding Technology earned the #15 position for value in precision metal working this year. Hobart Institute Of Welding Technology is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Troy. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Hobart Institute Of Welding Technology generally make around $45,370. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eti Technical College placed #16 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the suburb of Niles, Eti Technical College is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,060. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,255. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $27,290. That is a strong return on a $12,255 median debt.
Madison Adult Career Center placed #17 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Mansfield, Madison Adult Career Center is a small public institution. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Madison Adult Career Center generally make around $24,595.
Portage Lakes Career Center earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Portage Lakes Career Center is a small public school located in the suburb of Uniontown. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,316.
Fortis College Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls earned the #19 position for value in precision metal working this year. Fortis College Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Cuyahoga Falls. Students from in state pay about $14,596 in tuition and fees. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $20,894 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,990. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elite Welding Academy South Point placed #20 among the best values for precision metal working. Elite Welding Academy South Point is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of South Point. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,717.
Warren County Career Center landed the #21 spot for precision metal working value this year. Warren County Career Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Lebanon. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,679. Precision Metal Working graduates of Warren County Career Center earn a median of $38,389 early in their careers. Set against $8,679 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tri Rivers Career Center landed the #22 spot for precision metal working value this year. Tri Rivers Career Center is a small public school located in the rural area of Marion. Students borrow a median of $20,594 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $51,898. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Remington College Cleveland Campus came in at #23 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Cleveland, Remington College Cleveland Campus is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,876. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,698 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Remington College Cleveland Campus generally make around $25,799. Set against $14,698 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wayne County Schools Career Center came in at #24 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Smithville, Wayne County Schools Career Center is a small public university. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,496 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $42,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fortis College Cincinnati ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the suburb of Cincinnati, Fortis College Cincinnati is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,763. Students borrow a median of $13,000 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Fortis College Cincinnati earn a median of $31,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in precision metal working:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
