[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.
College Factual analyzed 16 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value precision metal working schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision metal working, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in precision metal working, no school beat Spartanburg Community College this year. Set in the suburb of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,071 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,135 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,148. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $38,147. Set against $10,148 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Florence Darlington Technical College earned it the #2 place for precision metal working. Located in the rural area of Florence, Florence Darlington Technical College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,636, while out-of-state students pay about $6,772. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $7,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Florence Darlington Technical College generally make around $34,948. Set against $7,230 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trident Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Trident Technical College is a very large public school located in the city of Charleston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,546, compared with $8,620 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,116 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Trident Technical College earn a median of $50,166 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,116 median debt.
Horry Georgetown Technical College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Conway, Horry Georgetown Technical College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,518, with out-of-state students paying around $10,978. Students borrow a median of $5,875 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Horry Georgetown Technical College earn a median of $33,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,875 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Midlands Technical College one of the best values for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of West Columbia, Midlands Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,100 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,700. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Midlands Technical College generally make around $47,556. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Carolina Technical College landed the #6 spot for precision metal working value this year. Central Carolina Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Sumter. In-state tuition and fees average $5,715, with out-of-state students paying around $9,016. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,750 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $32,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Aiken Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Aiken Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Graniteville. In-state tuition and fees average $5,174, compared with $7,924 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $17,884 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Aiken Technical College generally make around $51,894. Set against $17,884 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York Technical College placed #8 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Rock Hill, York Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,036 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,340. Students borrow a median of $11,250 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $50,309. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College came in at #9 for value in precision metal working this year. Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orangeburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,354. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $18,583. Precision Metal Working graduates of Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College earn a median of $61,814 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,583 median debt.
Northeastern Technical College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the rural area of Cheraw, Northeastern Technical College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,024. Students borrow a median of $18,933 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $57,772. That is a strong return on a $18,933 median debt.
Williamsburg Technical College came in at #11 for value in precision metal working this year. Williamsburg Technical College is a small public school located in the town of Kingstree. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,488, with out-of-state students paying around $8,592. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,935 ten years after entry.
Piedmont Technical College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Piedmont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Greenwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,775, compared with $6,923 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,625 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Piedmont Technical College earn a median of $34,928 early in their careers. Set against $11,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenville Technical College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Greenville, Greenville Technical College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,495 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,775. Students borrow a median of $10,279 to complete the precision metal working program here. 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.
Tri County Technical College landed the #14 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the suburb of Pendleton, Tri County Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,448, compared with $12,007 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,787 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Tri County Technical College earn a median of $43,438 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Denmark Technical College landed the #15 spot for precision metal working value this year. Denmark Technical College is a small public school located in the rural area of Denmark. Students from in state pay about $6,315 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,955 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $25,351 ten years after entry.
Arclabs ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the suburb of Piedmont, Arclabs is a small private for-profit university. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $34,843.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
