
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 16 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Horry Georgetown Technical College earned the #1 spot for value among precision metal working schools in South Carolina. Set in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,518, compared with $10,978 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,875. Precision Metal Working graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $33,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Florence Darlington Technical College one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,772. Students borrow a median of $7,230 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Trident Technical College earned it the #3 place for precision metal working. Located in the city of Charleston, Trident Technical College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $18,116 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $50,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes York Technical College one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,036, compared with $13,340 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,250. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $50,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Technical College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Sumter, Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,715 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,016 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Central Carolina Technical College earn a median of $32,196 early in their careers. Set against $15,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Midlands Technical College landed the #6 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,100, compared with $14,700 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Midlands Technical College earn a median of $47,556 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tri County Technical College earned the #7 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,448, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,787. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Tri County Technical College generally make around $43,438. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Orangeburg, Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $18,583 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College generally make around $61,814. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenville Technical College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Greenville Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $5,495 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,279. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Greenville Technical College generally make around $34,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Spartanburg Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,071, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,148. Precision Metal Working graduates of Spartanburg Community College earn a median of $38,147 early in their careers. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeastern Technical College placed #11 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,664, while out-of-state students pay about $6,024. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $18,933 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $57,772. Set against $18,933 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Piedmont Technical College landed the #12 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the town of Greenwood, Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,775, with out-of-state students paying around $6,923. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,625 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $34,928. That is a strong return on a $11,625 median debt.
Arclabs placed #13 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Piedmont, Arclabs is a small private for-profit institution. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Arclabs generally make around $34,843.
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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 · 16 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.