2027 Best Value Precision Production Schools in the Great Lakes Region

[Precision Production](/majors/production-product-development/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 104 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for precision production students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Precision Production Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the precision production degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Precision Production Schools
Joliet Junior College earned the #1 spot for value among precision production schools in the Great Lakes Region. Joliet Junior College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Joliet. Students from in state pay about $4,530 in tuition and fees, compared with $13,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $11,995. Early-career precision production graduates make about $40,118. Set against $11,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Illinois Valley Community College one of the best values for precision production. Set in the town of Oglesby, Illinois Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,200 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,385 for out-of-state students. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $8,099 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Illinois Valley Community College generally make around $33,224. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in precision production will find it at Macomb Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Warren, Macomb Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,660, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Students borrow a median of $9,862 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Macomb Community College generally make around $38,758. That is a strong return on a $9,862 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision production will find it at Lake Land College, which ranked #4. Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Mattoon. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, compared with $14,301 for out-of-state students. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $27,808. Set against $7,769 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision production will find it at Washtenaw Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,736, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $17,616. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Washtenaw Community College generally make around $45,332. That is a strong return on a $17,616 median debt.
Lewis And Clark Community College placed #6 among the best values for precision production. Located in the suburb of Godfrey, Lewis And Clark Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,340, with out-of-state students paying around $7,840. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $9,602 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $37,195. That is a strong return on a $9,602 median debt.
Moraine Valley Community College placed #7 among the best values for precision production. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $11,149 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $43,844. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt.
Lorain County Community College landed the #8 spot for precision production value this year. Located in the suburb of Elyria, Lorain County Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,265, compared with $8,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,611 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Lorain County Community College generally make around $40,095. Set against $17,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Richland Community College landed the #9 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the city of Decatur, Richland Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,680 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,562 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Richland Community College generally make around $46,233. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lincoln Land Community College landed the #10 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the rural area of Springfield, Lincoln Land Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,744 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,464. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $11,272. Precision Production graduates of Lincoln Land Community College earn a median of $33,298 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kankakee Community College landed the #11 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the city of Kankakee, Kankakee Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,830. Students borrow a median of $13,289 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $60,509. That is a strong return on a $13,289 median debt.
Spoon River College earned the #12 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the rural area of Canton, Spoon River College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,090, while out-of-state students pay about $13,500. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,386 ten years after entry.
Carl Sandburg College landed the #13 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the town of Galesburg, Carl Sandburg College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,390, with out-of-state students paying around $8,900. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $8,604 in student loans. Precision Production graduates of Carl Sandburg College earn a median of $48,534 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,604 median debt.
Delta College landed the #14 spot for precision production value this year. Delta College is a large public school located in the rural area of University Center. In-state tuition and fees average $4,820, compared with $7,880 for out-of-state students. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $34,112. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.
Triton College earned the #15 position for value in precision production this year. Triton College is a large public school located in the suburb of River Grove. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,070, while out-of-state students pay about $15,330. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $12,994 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Triton College generally make around $43,278. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College earned the #16 position for value in precision production this year. Kalamazoo Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Kalamazoo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,144, compared with $9,094 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Kalamazoo Valley Community College earn a median of $44,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
South Suburban College landed the #17 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the suburb of South Holland, South Suburban College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,093, with out-of-state students paying around $12,683. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $7,904 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $42,425. Set against $7,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rock Valley College earned the #18 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the city of Rockford, Rock Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,334 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,379. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $9,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Rock Valley College generally make around $41,080. Set against $9,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cincinnati State Technical And Community College earned the #19 position for value in precision production this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, Cincinnati State Technical And Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,517, with out-of-state students paying around $10,044. Students borrow a median of $17,730 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Cincinnati State Technical And Community College generally make around $47,975. Set against $17,730 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Shawnee Community College landed the #20 spot for precision production value this year. Shawnee Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Ullin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,650, while out-of-state students pay about $7,500. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $11,162. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Shawnee Community College generally make around $39,601. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Highland Community College Freeport landed the #21 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the rural area of Freeport, Highland Community College Freeport is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,936, compared with $7,360 for out-of-state students. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $13,783 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Highland Community College Freeport generally make around $46,384. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Danville Area Community College placed #22 among the best values for precision production. Set in the town of Danville, Danville Area Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,440, with out-of-state students paying around $7,440. Students borrow a median of $9,470 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Danville Area Community College generally make around $36,123. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ivy Tech Community College came in at #23 for value in precision production this year. Located in the city of Indianapolis, Ivy Tech Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,154 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,935 for out-of-state students. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $6,599 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Ivy Tech Community College generally make around $49,030. Set against $6,599 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Elgin Community College landed the #24 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the city of Elgin, Elgin Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,252, while out-of-state students pay about $9,516. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $7,727. Early-career precision production graduates make about $43,975. That is a strong return on a $7,727 median debt.
John A Logan College landed the #25 spot for precision production value this year. John A Logan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Carterville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,630, compared with $7,540 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,479 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of John A Logan College earn a median of $40,806 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,479 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Precision Production Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s precision production value ranking:
Narrow Precision Production Schools by State
More Precision Production Rankings
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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 · 104 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 104 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.