[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 18 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.
Patrick Henry Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools in Virginia. Patrick Henry Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Martinsville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,002, while out-of-state students pay about $11,440. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,235. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $37,030. Set against $11,235 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Eastern Shore Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Melfa, Eastern Shore Community College is a small public university. Students from in state pay about $5,082 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $32,418.
Wytheville Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Wytheville, Wytheville Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,007 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Students borrow a median of $9,542 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,973. That is a strong return on a $9,542 median debt.
Dabney S Lancaster Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the rural area of Clifton Forge, Dabney S Lancaster Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,022, with out-of-state students paying around $11,460. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,293.
A rank of #5 makes Virginia Western Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, while out-of-state students pay about $11,838. Students borrow a median of $13,715 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $22,788 early in their careers. Set against $13,715 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southside Virginia Community College placed #6 among the best values for precision metal working. Southside Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alberta. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, with out-of-state students paying around $11,445. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,467. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southside Virginia Community College earn a median of $29,666 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
John Tyler Community College placed #7 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, compared with $11,520 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,262. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,273. Set against $11,262 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Virginia Highlands Community College placed #8 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the suburb of Abingdon, Virginia Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,022, compared with $11,460 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,490. Precision Metal Working graduates of Virginia Highlands Community College earn a median of $21,472 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southwest Virginia Community College came in at #9 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Cedar Bluff, Southwest Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,075, compared with $11,513 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southwest Virginia Community College earn a median of $32,277 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
New River Community College came in at #10 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Dublin, New River Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,979, while out-of-state students pay about $11,417. Students borrow a median of $13,132 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of New River Community College earn a median of $46,892 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Community College earned the #11 position for value in precision metal working this year. Danville Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Danville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,992, with out-of-state students paying around $11,430. Students borrow a median of $9,494 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Danville Community College earn a median of $44,922 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Virginia Community College earned the #12 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Central Virginia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,157, compared with $11,595 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,625. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Central Virginia Community College generally make around $37,281. Set against $8,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mountain Empire Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the town of Big Stone Gap, Mountain Empire Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,007, compared with $11,445 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,036 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Mountain Empire Community College generally make around $36,988. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Virginia Community College earned the #14 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the suburb of Annandale, Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,891 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,410. Students borrow a median of $14,413 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northern Virginia Community College generally make around $40,126. Set against $14,413 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Tidewater Community College landed the #15 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,858, compared with $12,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,455 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $23,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Advanced Technology Institute ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Advanced Technology Institute is a small private for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,568. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,674. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
Centura College Newport News came in at #17 for value in precision metal working this year. Centura College Newport News is a small private for-profit school located in the city of Newport News. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,637. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,118 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Centura College Newport News earn a median of $25,693 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tidewater Tech Trades earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Tidewater Tech Trades is a small private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,337. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Tidewater Tech Trades earn a median of $32,269 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
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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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
