[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for precision metal working students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision metal working, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College the best value for a degree in precision metal working in Wisconsin. Located in the town of Rice Lake, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,926, while out-of-state students pay about $7,169. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $42,282. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Nicolet Area Technical College, which ranked #2. Set in the rural area of Rhinelander, Nicolet Area Technical College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,793, while out-of-state students pay about $7,066. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,400. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College generally make around $46,419. Set against $11,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Moraine Park Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Fond du Lac, Moraine Park Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,819, with out-of-state students paying around $7,084. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,000. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,073. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Milwaukee Area Technical College earned it the #4 place for precision metal working. Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,184, compared with $7,427 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Blackhawk Technical College, which ranked #5. Blackhawk Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Janesville. In-state tuition and fees average $4,747, compared with $6,803 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Blackhawk Technical College generally make around $44,698. That is a strong return on a $13,715 median debt.
Lakeshore Technical College earned the #6 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Cleveland, Lakeshore Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,844, with out-of-state students paying around $7,087. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,582 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lakeshore Technical College generally make around $48,619. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College landed the #7 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Green Bay, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,960, with out-of-state students paying around $7,203. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,421. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Northcentral Technical College landed the #8 spot for precision metal working value this year. Northcentral Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Wausau. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,889, while out-of-state students pay about $7,132. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northcentral Technical College generally make around $47,718. That is a strong return on a $5,250 median debt.
Mid State Technical College landed the #9 spot for precision metal working 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, compared with $7,171 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $4,750 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Technical College La Cross ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, Western Technical College La Cross is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,820 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,078. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,624. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Waukesha County Technical College came in at #11 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Pewaukee, Waukesha County Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,803, while out-of-state students pay about $7,046. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Waukesha County Technical College earn a median of $43,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fox Valley Technical College earned the #12 position for value in precision metal working this year. Fox Valley Technical College is a large public school located in the suburb of Appleton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $7,283. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,664 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Fox Valley Technical College earn a median of $52,978 early in their careers. Set against $7,664 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Chippewa Valley Technical College earned the #13 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, Chippewa Valley Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,844, while out-of-state students pay about $7,087. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,109. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Chippewa Valley Technical College generally make around $48,638. That is a strong return on a $8,109 median debt.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Fennimore, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,904 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,147. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $35,167. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Gateway Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Kenosha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,956, while out-of-state students pay about $7,199. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,700. Precision Metal Working graduates of Gateway Technical College earn a median of $38,659 early in their careers. Set against $9,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Madison Area Technical College landed the #16 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Madison, Madison Area Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,977, compared with $7,141 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,500. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $37,860. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
More Precision Metal Working Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 16 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.
