[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 56 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.
Leading the list is Johnston Community College, our #1 best value for precision metal working in North Carolina. Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Smithfield. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,490 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $34,171 early in their careers. Set against $9,490 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cleveland Community College earned it the #2 place for precision metal working. Located in the town of Shelby, Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,602 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,746 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,131. Precision Metal Working graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Wilkes Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,125 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $36,341. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Edgecombe Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Tarboro, Edgecombe Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,640 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,784. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $22,153. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Edgecombe Community College generally make around $49,528. That is a strong return on a $22,153 median debt.
Piedmont Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Piedmont Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Roxboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,556, with out-of-state students paying around $8,700. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Piedmont Community College generally make around $68,517. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Durham Technical Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,240, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Students borrow a median of $20,408 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Durham Technical Community College earn a median of $46,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rockingham Community College landed the #7 spot for precision metal working value this year. Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Wentworth. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,966, with out-of-state students paying around $6,574. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Rockingham Community College generally make around $50,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pamlico Community College came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Grantsboro, Pamlico Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,712, while out-of-state students pay about $12,928. Graduates go on to earn a median of $30,005 ten years after entry.
Wayne Community College landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Goldsboro. In-state tuition and fees average $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
James Sprunt Community College landed the #10 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,592, compared with $8,736 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,278 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of James Sprunt Community College earn a median of $35,264 early in their careers. Set against $11,278 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Piedmont Community College earned the #11 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,792, with out-of-state students paying around $8,936. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,861 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Central Piedmont Community College generally make around $40,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle came in at #12 for value in precision metal working this year. College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Elizabeth City. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,652. Students borrow a median of $10,240 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from College Of The Albemarle generally make around $50,506. Set against $10,240 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College placed #13 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,877, while out-of-state students pay about $9,789. Students borrow a median of $12,596 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Sampson Community College generally make around $45,929. That is a strong return on a $12,596 median debt.
Vance Granville Community College placed #14 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Henderson, Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,944 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,552. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Vance Granville Community College earn a median of $43,272 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,833 median debt.
Wilson Community College landed the #15 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the town of Wilson, Wilson Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,572, compared with $8,716 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,846 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wilson Community College earn a median of $47,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Martin Community College landed the #16 spot for precision metal working value this year. Martin Community College is a small public school located in the town of Williamston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,523, while out-of-state students pay about $8,667. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $42,820.
Craven Community College placed #17 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,022, with out-of-state students paying around $6,630. Students borrow a median of $8,924 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $30,235. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College landed the #18 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,711, while out-of-state students pay about $8,855. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,266. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lenoir Community College placed #19 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Kinston, Lenoir Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,578 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,822. Students borrow a median of $9,984 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Lenoir Community College generally make around $38,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Richmond Community College placed #20 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the town of Hamlet, Richmond Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,564. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,407 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Richmond Community College earn a median of $31,268 early in their careers. Set against $8,407 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Surry Community College earned the #21 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Dobson, Surry Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,668 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,812. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,537. Precision Metal Working graduates of Surry Community College earn a median of $47,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fayetteville Technical Community College landed the #22 spot for precision metal working value this year. Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public school located in the city of Fayetteville. In-state tuition and fees average $2,628, compared with $8,772 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,909 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva came in at #23 for value in precision metal working this year. Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sylva. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,112, compared with $13,184 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $13,708. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $36,418. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Stanly Community College earned the #24 position for value in precision metal working this year. Stanly Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Albemarle. Students from in state pay about $2,672 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,816. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,920.
Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock landed the #25 spot for precision metal working value this year. Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Flat Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,660, while out-of-state students pay about $8,804. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $16,252. Precision Metal Working graduates of Blue Ridge Community College Flat Rock earn a median of $42,443 early in their careers. Set against $16,252 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools also delivered strong value for precision metal working this year:
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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 · 56 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 56 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.
