2027 Best Value Precision Production Schools in Iowa
[Precision Production](/majors/production-product-development/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong precision production education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 15 schools to find the best return on investment for precision production students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Precision Production Schools in Iowa
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision production, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Precision Production Schools
For return on investment in precision production, no school beat Marshalltown Community College this year. Set in the town of Marshalltown, Marshalltown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,496, compared with $6,504 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,577 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $45,972. That is a strong return on a $11,577 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in precision production 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. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $7,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Western Iowa Tech Community College generally make around $41,613. Set against $7,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Iowa Central Community College one of the best values for precision production. Iowa Central Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Fort Dodge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,496, while out-of-state students pay about $7,788. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $16,135 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Iowa Central Community College generally make around $27,404. Set against $16,135 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Hawkeye Community College one of the best values for precision production. Set in the rural area of Waterloo, Hawkeye Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,525 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,612 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $7,874. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Hawkeye Community College generally make around $45,509. Set against $7,874 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kirkwood Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools. Located in the city of Cedar Rapids, Kirkwood Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,176, while out-of-state students pay about $8,220. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $13,500 in student loans. Precision Production 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 placed #6 among the best values for precision production. Located in the rural area of Mason City, North Iowa Area Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,653, while out-of-state students pay about $9,551. Students borrow a median of $12,043 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from North Iowa Area Community College generally make around $44,466. That is a strong return on a $12,043 median debt.
Southwestern Community College Creston landed the #7 spot for precision production value this year. Southwestern Community College Creston is a small public school located in the town of Creston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,064, while out-of-state students pay about $8,316. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $46,106. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt.
Indian Hills Community College came in at #8 for value in precision production this year. Indian Hills Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Ottumwa. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,040, while out-of-state students pay about $6,120. Students borrow a median of $15,390 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Indian Hills Community College generally make around $49,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Des Moines Area Community College earned the #9 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the suburb of Ankeny, Des Moines Area Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,790, with out-of-state students paying around $6,690. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Des Moines Area Community College generally make around $39,397. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar came in at #10 for value in precision production this year. Located in the rural area of Calmar, Northeast Iowa Community College Calmar is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,780, with out-of-state students paying around $7,770. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $5,479 in student loans. Precision Production 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 placed #11 among the best values for precision production. Ellsworth Community College is a small public school located in the town of Iowa Falls. Students from in state pay about $5,496 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,504. Students borrow a median of $17,062 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Ellsworth Community College generally make around $40,503. Set against $17,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southeastern Community College West Burlington earned the #12 position for value in precision production this year. Southeastern Community College West Burlington is a mid-sized public school located in the town of West Burlington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,420, compared with $6,570 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $16,126. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Southeastern Community College West Burlington generally make around $45,760. Set against $16,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Eastern Iowa Community College District earned the #13 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the city of Davenport, Eastern Iowa Community College District is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,848 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,456 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $15,995. Early-career precision production graduates make about $41,510. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Iowa Western Community College earned the #14 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa Western Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $7,080. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $5,500. Early-career precision production graduates make about $27,761. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northwest Iowa Community College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools. Northwest Iowa Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Sheldon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,350, compared with $7,650 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,271 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Northwest Iowa Community College generally make around $54,373. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
More Precision Production Rankings
View All Precision Production Rankings >
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.
