[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 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 Erie Community College the best value for a degree in precision metal working in New York. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. Set against $12,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Niagara County Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Students borrow a median of $13,970 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $36,258 early in their careers. Set against $13,970 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Mohawk Valley Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,218, compared with $8,851 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,900 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Mohawk Valley Community College earn a median of $38,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,900 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earned it the #4 place for precision metal working. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $42,739. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Erie 1 Boces one of the best values for precision metal working. Erie 1 Boces is a small public school located in the suburb of West Seneca. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,600. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $30,190. Set against $11,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi placed #6 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Delhi, Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,762 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,000. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,059. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi admits about 89% of applicants.
Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces came in at #7 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Liverpool, Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces is a small public university. Students borrow a median of $8,326 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Onondaga Cortland Madison Boces generally make around $39,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Apex Technical School came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Apex Technical School is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Apex Technical School earn a median of $30,807 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Modern Welding School ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Modern Welding School is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Schenectady. Students borrow a median of $6,790 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Modern Welding School generally make around $43,246. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
