[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong precision metal working education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 61 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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 Central Piedmont Community College the best value for a degree in precision metal working in North Carolina. Set in the city of Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,792 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,936. Students borrow a median of $11,861 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,149. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Sanford, Central Carolina Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,855. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,266 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Central Carolina Community College generally make around $38,198. Set against $10,266 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilkes Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Wilkesboro, Wilkes Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,716. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,125. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wilkes Community College earn a median of $36,341 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,125 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Cleveland Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. Cleveland Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Shelby. In-state tuition and fees average $2,602, with out-of-state students paying around $8,746. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,131 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Cleveland Community College earn a median of $39,891 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,131 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rockingham Community College earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Wentworth, Rockingham Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,966, compared with $6,574 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $50,048. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Johnston Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Smithfield, Johnston Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,756 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,900. Students borrow a median of $9,490 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Johnston Community College earn a median of $34,171 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,490 median debt.
Durham Technical Community College landed the #7 spot for precision metal working value this year. Durham Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Durham. Students from in state pay about $2,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,531. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $20,408. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Durham Technical Community College generally make around $46,293. Set against $20,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sampson Community College earned the #8 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Clinton, Sampson Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,877, with out-of-state students paying around $9,789. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,596. 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.
Martin Community College earned the #9 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Williamston, Martin Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,523 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,667. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $42,820.
Fayetteville Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Fayetteville, Fayetteville Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,628 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,772. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $16,909 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Fayetteville Technical Community College generally make around $40,584. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Haywood Community College placed #11 among the best values for precision metal working. Haywood Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Clyde. Students from in state pay about $2,580 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,724 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Haywood Community College generally make around $35,767.
Wayne Community College earned the #12 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Goldsboro, Wayne Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,566, compared with $8,710 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wayne Community College earn a median of $33,116 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
James Sprunt Community College earned the #13 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Kenansville, James Sprunt Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $2,592 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,736. 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.
Craven Community College earned the #14 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of New Bern, Craven Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,022 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,630 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,924 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Craven Community College earn a median of $30,235 early in their careers. Set against $8,924 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Vance Granville Community College came in at #15 for value in precision metal working this year. Vance Granville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Henderson. In-state tuition and fees average $1,944, while out-of-state students pay about $6,552. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,833 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Vance Granville Community College generally make around $43,272. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Halifax Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the rural area of Weldon, Halifax Community College is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,608, with out-of-state students paying around $8,752. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $70,982.
Southeastern Community College Whiteville placed #17 among the best values for precision metal working. Southeastern Community College Whiteville is a small public school located in the rural area of Whiteville. Students from in state pay about $2,600 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,744. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,188. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southeastern Community College Whiteville earn a median of $65,328 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nash Community College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Nash Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Rocky Mount. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,866, while out-of-state students pay about $8,866. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $16,969 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rowan Cabarrus Community College came in at #19 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Rowan Cabarrus Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,064 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,672 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,867. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Rowan Cabarrus Community College generally make around $34,351. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
College Of The Albemarle landed the #20 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the town of Elizabeth City, College Of The Albemarle is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,242 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,652. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,240 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of College Of The Albemarle earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,240 median debt.
Surry Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Surry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Dobson. 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. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Surry Community College generally make around $47,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwestern Community College Sylva earned the #22 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Sylva, Southwestern Community College Sylva is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,112 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,184. Students borrow a median of $13,708 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southwestern Community College Sylva earn a median of $36,418 early in their careers. Set against $13,708 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lenoir Community College landed the #23 spot for precision metal working value this year. 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. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,984. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Beaufort County Community College earned the #24 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Washington, Beaufort County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,540, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,947 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Beaufort County Community College generally make around $38,009. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Tri County Community College is a small public school located in the rural area of Murphy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,508, while out-of-state students pay about $8,652. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $46,717.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s precision metal working value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
