[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Marshalltown Community College earned the #1 spot for value among precision metal working schools in Iowa. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the precision metal working program here. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $45,972. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Western Iowa Tech Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Sioux City, Western Iowa Tech Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,186, with out-of-state students paying around $5,330. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $7,910. Precision Metal Working graduates of Western Iowa Tech Community College earn a median of $41,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Central Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Fort Dodge, Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,496, compared with $7,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,135 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Iowa Central Community College earn a median of $27,404 early in their careers. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hawkeye Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,525, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,874 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $45,509. That is a strong return on a $7,874 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kirkwood Community College earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Set in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,176, with out-of-state students paying around $8,220. Students borrow a median of $13,500 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Kirkwood Community College earn a median of $48,114 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,500 median debt.
North Iowa Area Community College earned the #6 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,653 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of North Iowa Area Community College earn a median of $44,466 early in their careers. Set against $12,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southwestern Community College Creston came in at #7 for value in precision metal working this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,064, with out-of-state students paying around $8,316. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,881. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Southwestern Community College Creston generally make around $46,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Indian Hills Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Located in the town of Ottumwa, Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,040, with out-of-state students paying around $6,120. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $15,390. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $49,626. That is a strong return on a $15,390 median debt.
Des Moines Area Community College landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Ankeny. In-state tuition and fees average $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Calmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,780, while out-of-state students pay about $7,770. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $5,479 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar earn a median of $43,588 early in their careers. Set against $5,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ellsworth Community College earned the #11 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the town of Iowa Falls, Ellsworth Community College is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, with out-of-state students paying around $6,504. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $17,062 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Ellsworth Community College earn a median of $40,503 early in their careers. Set against $17,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $6,420, with out-of-state students paying around $6,570. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $16,126. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. That is a strong return on a $16,126 median debt.
Eastern Iowa Community College District landed the #13 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,848, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,995 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Eastern Iowa Community College District generally make around $41,510. Set against $15,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #14 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $27,761. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northwest Iowa Community College landed the #15 spot for precision metal working value this year. Set in the town of Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,650. Students borrow a median of $12,271 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $54,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 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.
