[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for precision metal working students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision metal working, balancing cost against outcomes.
Ozarks Technical Community College earned the #1 spot for value among precision metal working schools in Missouri. Located in the city of Springfield, Ozarks Technical Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,040. Students borrow a median of $4,737 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Ozarks Technical Community College earn a median of $36,757 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $4,737 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earned it the #2 place for precision metal working. Set in the city of Kansas City, Metropolitan Community College Kansas City is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,630, compared with $9,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,281 to complete the precision metal working program here. Precision Metal Working graduates of Metropolitan Community College Kansas City earn a median of $36,908 early in their careers. Set against $12,281 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision metal working will find it at Jefferson College, which ranked #3. Located in the rural area of Hillsboro, Jefferson College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,250, compared with $8,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,664 to complete the precision metal working program here. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Jefferson College generally make around $47,560. 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 State Fair Community College, which ranked #4. State Fair Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Sedalia. In-state tuition and fees average $4,176, while out-of-state students pay about $7,416. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $15,328 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from State Fair Community College generally make around $39,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Crowder College earned it the #5 place for precision metal working. Crowder College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Neosho. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,104, while out-of-state students pay about $5,784. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $9,887. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Crowder College generally make around $33,869. Set against $9,887 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Linn State Technical College earned the #6 position for value in precision metal working this year. Located in the rural area of Linn, Linn State Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,160, while out-of-state students pay about $14,610. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,474. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $47,325. Set against $11,474 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
East Central College placed #7 among the best values for precision metal working. East Central College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Union. In-state tuition and fees average $4,272, compared with $7,680 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,062. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from East Central College generally make around $37,925. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ranken Technical College earned the #8 position for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Saint Louis, Ranken Technical College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,008 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,250. Precision Metal Working graduates of Ranken Technical College earn a median of $44,463 early in their careers. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Central Career Center landed the #9 spot for precision metal working value this year. South Central Career Center is a small public school located in the town of West Plains. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of South Central Career Center earn a median of $36,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo landed the #10 spot for precision metal working value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Midwest Technical Institute Springfield Mo 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 $31,630. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Franklin Technology Mssu came in at #11 for value in precision metal working this year. Set in the city of Joplin, Franklin Technology Mssu is a small public institution. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $12,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Franklin Technology Mssu generally make around $42,366. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Precision Metal Working Rankings
View All Precision Metal Working Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
