[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for precision metal working students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision metal working degrees they offer, see the list below.
Metropolitan Community College Area earned the #1 spot for value among precision metal working schools in Nebraska. Located in the city of Omaha, Metropolitan Community College Area is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,375, while out-of-state students pay about $4,950. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $12,799. Precision Metal Working graduates of Metropolitan Community College Area earn a median of $45,583 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Western Nebraska Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Scottsbluff, Western Nebraska Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,840, compared with $4,410 for out-of-state students. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,507 in student loans. Precision Metal Working graduates of Western Nebraska Community College earn a median of $62,413 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mid Plains Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of North Platte, Mid Plains Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $3,600 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,530. Precision Metal Working graduates carry a median of $14,596 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision metal working degree recipients from Mid Plains Community College generally make around $39,396. Set against $14,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Grand Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $4,800. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Early-career precision metal working graduates make about $39,409. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeast Community College Area is a great value for students pursuing a degree in precision metal working, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $4,032. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $11,650. Precision Metal Working graduates of Southeast Community College Area earn a median of $49,114 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northeast Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value precision metal working schools. Northeast Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,840, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Typical student debt for precision metal working graduates is $5,500. Precision Metal Working graduates of Northeast Community College earn a median of $38,353 early in their careers. 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), 2026 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
