[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong precision metal working education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment for precision metal working students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision metal working, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College the best value for a degree in precision metal working in Kentucky. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,413. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southcentral Kentucky Community And Technical College earn a median of $49,879 early in their careers. Set against $9,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Hazard Community And Technical College one of the best values for precision metal working. Hazard Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hazard. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,212. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Hazard Community And Technical College generally make around $32,626. Set against $12,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Cumberland, Southeast Kentucky Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,687 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $30,566. Set against $9,687 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Somerset Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Somerset, Somerset Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,439 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,415. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Henderson Community College earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Henderson, Henderson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $13,528 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Henderson Community College generally make around $40,259. Set against $13,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Big Sandy Community And Technical College landed the #6 spot for precision metal working value this year. Big Sandy Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Prestonsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,588 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $33,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Elizabethtown Community And Technical College earned the #7 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, with out-of-state students paying around $6,432. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,166. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Elizabethtown Community And Technical College generally make around $50,941. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Maysville Community And Technical College came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Maysville, Maysville Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,820. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Maysville Community And Technical College generally make around $36,394. That is a strong return on a $9,820 median debt.
West Kentucky Community And Technical College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Paducah, West Kentucky Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,250. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $35,603. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ashland Community And Technical College earned the #10 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Ashland, Ashland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Ashland Community And Technical College generally make around $36,796. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Madisonville Community College earned the #11 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Madisonville, Madisonville Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,985. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,084. Set against $10,985 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Gateway Community And Technical College earned the #12 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Florence, Gateway Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Students borrow a median of $9,041 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Gateway Community And Technical College generally make around $42,233. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Owensboro Community And Technical College earned the #13 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Owensboro, Owensboro Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,728, while out-of-state students pay about $6,432. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,475. Precision Metal Working graduates of Owensboro Community And Technical College earn a median of $45,366 early in their careers. Set against $7,475 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hopkinsville Community College landed the #14 spot for precision metal working value this year. Hopkinsville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hopkinsville. Students from in state pay about $4,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,432 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $13,269 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Hopkinsville Community College earn a median of $43,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bluegrass Community And Technical College placed #15 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Lexington, Bluegrass Community And Technical College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,808, with out-of-state students paying around $6,512. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,684. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Bluegrass Community And Technical College generally make around $46,133. That is a strong return on a $10,684 median debt.
Jefferson Community And Technical College came in at #16 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Louisville, Jefferson Community And Technical College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,808, compared with $6,512 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $6,794. Precision Metal Working graduates of Jefferson Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,346 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,794 median debt.
More Precision Metal Working Rankings
View All Precision Metal Working Rankings >
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.
