by our College Data Analytics Team
[Precision Metal Working](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 113 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.
Del Mar College earned the #1 spot for value among precision metal working schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Corpus Christi, Del Mar College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,500, while out-of-state students pay about $6,050. Students borrow a median of $7,476 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $40,661. Set against $7,476 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Texas College earned it the #2 place for precision metal working. South Texas College is a very large public school located in the city of McAllen. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,920, while out-of-state students pay about $7,620. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $6,868 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $28,716. That is a strong return on a $6,868 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes College Of The Mainland one of the best values for precision metal working. Located in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $10,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $40,788. That is a strong return on a $10,928 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes El Paso Community College one of the best values for precision metal working. El Paso Community College is a very large public school located in the city of El Paso. In-state tuition and fees average $3,274, with out-of-state students paying around $5,314. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $8,542. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Lamar State College Orange one of the best values for precision metal working. Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Orange. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $18,506. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,299. Set against $18,506 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pima Community College landed the #6 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, Pima Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,442 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,758. Students borrow a median of $10,655 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Pima Community College generally make around $41,132. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Victoria College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,910. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Victoria College generally make around $50,201. That is a strong return on a $10,910 median debt.
Amarillo College came in at #8 for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the city of Amarillo, Amarillo College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,704. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,720. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Amarillo College generally make around $48,263. Set against $15,720 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Lamar State College Port Arthur is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Port Arthur. Students from in state pay about $1,770 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Students borrow a median of $33,385 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Lamar State College Port Arthur earn a median of $78,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus placed #10 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the town of Roswell, Eastern New Mexico University Roswell Campus is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,256, compared with $5,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,110. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $21,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Midland College placed #11 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of Midland, Midland College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,180, compared with $6,180 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,000. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $43,454. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
St Philips College placed #12 among the best values for precision metal working. Set in the city of San Antonio, St Philips College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,412, compared with $9,952 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from St Philips College generally make around $45,185. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wharton County Junior College earned the #13 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,192 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,904. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $10,916. Precision Metal Working graduates of Wharton County Junior College earn a median of $28,408 early in their careers. Set against $10,916 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
El Centro College earned the #14 position for value in precision metal working this year. El Centro College is a very large public school located in the city of Dallas. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,730, compared with $6,900 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,557 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from El Centro College generally make around $35,102. Set against $14,557 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Clovis Community College landed the #15 spot for precision metal working value this year. Clovis Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Clovis. Students from in state pay about $1,592 in tuition and fees, compared with $3,344 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $11,082 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Clovis Community College generally make around $44,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #16 among the best values for precision metal working. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $6,440 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $42,162 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Tarrant County College District landed the #17 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Central Arizona College earned the #18 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Coolidge, Central Arizona College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,250, with out-of-state students paying around $4,500. Students borrow a median of $11,635 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Central Arizona College earn a median of $48,826 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,635 median debt.
Brazosport College landed the #19 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, while out-of-state students pay about $4,711. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $6,625. Precision Metal Working graduates of Brazosport College earn a median of $32,746 early in their careers. Set against $6,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Coastal Bend College earned the #20 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Beeville, Coastal Bend College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,916, with out-of-state students paying around $5,226. Students borrow a median of $14,609 to complete the precision metal working program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,086 ten years after entry. Set against $14,609 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Western Texas College earned the #21 position for value in precision metal working this year. Western Texas College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Snyder. In-state tuition and fees average $3,300, with out-of-state students paying around $6,150. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $8,691 in student loans. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $68,077. That is a strong return on a $8,691 median debt.
Trinity Valley Community College landed the #22 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the town of Athens, Trinity Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,640, with out-of-state students paying around $5,970. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,323. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $35,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kilgore College earned the #23 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,160, with out-of-state students paying around $5,256. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $16,734. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $44,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Panola College came in at #24 for value in precision metal working this year. Panola College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carthage. Students from in state pay about $2,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $36,072.
San Juan College landed the #25 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,910, compared with $5,393 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
These schools also delivered strong value for precision metal working this year:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 113 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 113 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.