[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for precision metal working students.
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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.
Our analysis ranked Helena College University Of Montana the best value for a degree in precision metal working in Montana. Set in the city of Helena, Helena College University Of Montana is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,106, compared with $11,278 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,906 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $47,160. That is a strong return on a $19,906 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Great Falls College Montana State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Great Falls, Great Falls College Montana State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,028, with out-of-state students paying around $12,911. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,034.
Montana State University Northern came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Montana State University Northern is a small public school located in the town of Havre. In-state tuition and fees average $6,982, compared with $21,875 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $23,855. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Montana State University Northern generally make around $50,896. Set against $23,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montana State University Billings earned it the #4 place for precision metal working. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, with out-of-state students paying around $22,897. Students borrow a median of $25,465 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Montana State University Billings generally make around $41,875. That is a strong return on a $25,465 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Montana earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Montana State University earned the #6 position for value in precision metal working this year. Montana State University is a large public school located in the city of Bozeman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,460, with out-of-state students paying around $33,287. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $23,635 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $47,703 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,635 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
