[Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking](/majors/production-product-development/precision-metal-working/sheet-metal-technology-sheetworking/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for sheet metal technology/sheetworking students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking, balancing cost against outcomes.
Modesto Junior College tops our 2027 list of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools in the United States. Set in the city of Modesto, Modesto Junior College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,282, compared with $9,264 for out-of-state students. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $8,575 in student loans. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Modesto Junior College earn a median of $36,525 early in their careers. Set against $8,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Palomar College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, compared with $10,650 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $42,300 ten years out.
Bates Technical College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools. Bates Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. Students from in state pay about $6,027 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,165. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,051 ten years after entry.
A rank of #4 makes Ivy Tech Community College one of the best values for sheet metal technology/sheetworking. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,154, with out-of-state students paying around $9,935. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $6,810 in student loans. Early-career sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates make about $56,292. That is a strong return on a $6,810 median debt.
Long Beach City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in sheet metal technology/sheetworking, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,556 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $6,000 median debt.
College Of Southern Nevada landed the #6 spot for sheet metal technology/sheetworking value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, College Of Southern Nevada is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,358, with out-of-state students paying around $13,024. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $9,980 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from College Of Southern Nevada generally make around $35,850. That is a strong return on a $9,980 median debt.
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earned the #7 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the sheet metal technology/sheetworking program here. Early-career sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates make about $34,214. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.
Honolulu Community College came in at #8 for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Honolulu Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Honolulu. Students from in state pay about $3,174 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,310 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $10,868. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Honolulu Community College generally make around $59,006. That is a strong return on a $10,868 median debt.
Truckee Meadows Community College earned the #9 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Located in the city of Reno, Truckee Meadows Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,018. Students borrow a median of $12,290 to complete the sheet metal technology/sheetworking program here. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Truckee Meadows Community College earn a median of $52,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Wichita Area Technical College earned the #10 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Set in the city of Wichita, Wichita Area Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,237 in tuition and fees. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $5,564 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Wichita Area Technical College generally make around $30,515. Set against $5,564 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
American River College landed the #11 spot for sheet metal technology/sheetworking value this year. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. That is a strong return on a $14,105 median debt.
Columbia Basin College came in at #12 for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,555 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $17,170. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,170 median debt.
Chabot College earned the #13 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Located in the suburb of Hayward, Chabot College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,150 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,686 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $14,122. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates of Chabot College earn a median of $85,175 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Milwaukee Area Technical College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value sheet metal technology/sheetworking schools. Located in the city of Milwaukee, Milwaukee Area Technical College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,184 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,427. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the sheet metal technology/sheetworking program here. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Milwaukee Area Technical College generally make around $38,325. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Southwestern Illinois College earned the #15 position for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Set in the suburb of Belleville, Southwestern Illinois College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,230, while out-of-state students pay about $6,720. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $6,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Southwestern Illinois College generally make around $44,345. Set against $6,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bakersfield College came in at #16 for value in sheet metal technology/sheetworking this year. Located in the city of Bakersfield, Bakersfield College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,430, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Sheet Metal Technology/sheetworking graduates carry a median of $9,419 in student loans. Soon after graduation, sheet metal technology/sheetworking degree recipients from Bakersfield College generally make around $86,312. Set against $9,419 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montana State University Billings landed the #17 spot for sheet metal technology/sheetworking value this year. Set in the city of Billings, Montana State University Billings is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,280, compared with $22,897 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates is $25,465. Early-career sheet metal technology/sheetworking graduates make about $41,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking rankings across degree levels:
View All Sheet Metal Technology/Sheetworking Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
