by our College Data Analytics Team
[Precision Production](/majors/production-product-development/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value precision production schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in precision production, balancing cost against outcomes.
South Central College tops our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools in Minnesota. Located in the suburb of North Mankato, South Central College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,146. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $3,666 in student loans. Precision Production graduates of South Central College earn a median of $41,527 early in their careers. Set against $3,666 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Riverland Community College earned it the #2 place for precision production. Set in the town of Austin, Riverland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,297. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Precision Production graduates of Riverland Community College earn a median of $49,194 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Hennepin Technical College earned it the #3 place for precision production. Hennepin Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brooklyn Park. Students from in state pay about $5,940 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $9,329. Early-career precision production graduates make about $56,143. Set against $9,329 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at St Cloud Technical And Community College earned it the #4 place for precision production. St Cloud Technical And Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Cloud. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from St Cloud Technical And Community College generally make around $49,636. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in precision production will find it at Ridgewater College, which ranked #5. Ridgewater College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Willmar. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,121. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $9,750 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $44,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools. Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hibbing. In-state tuition and fees average $6,022. Students borrow a median of $17,029 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Hibbing Community College A Technical And Community College earn a median of $44,387 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,029 median debt.
Minnesota West Community And Technical College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools. Located in the rural area of Granite Falls, Minnesota West Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,491. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $13,946 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $42,830. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Century College landed the #8 spot for precision production value this year. Located in the suburb of White Bear Lake, Century College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,214 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $21,332 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $47,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College came in at #9 for value in precision production this year. Saint Paul College A Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Saint Paul. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,326. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $9,928. Early-career precision production graduates make about $50,842. Set against $9,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dakota County Technical College landed the #10 spot for precision production value this year. Located in the rural area of Rosemount, Dakota County Technical College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,679. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $5,500. Precision Production graduates of Dakota County Technical College earn a median of $50,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pine Technical College placed #11 among the best values for precision production. Pine Technical College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pine City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,738. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $22,454 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $44,905. That is a strong return on a $22,454 median debt.
Alexandria Technical And Community College landed the #12 spot for precision production value this year. Set in the town of Alexandria, Alexandria Technical And Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,236 in tuition and fees. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $51,141. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Minneapolis Community And Technical College placed #13 among the best values for precision production. Minneapolis Community And Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Students from in state pay about $6,161 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $24,036. Precision Production graduates of Minneapolis Community And Technical College earn a median of $44,635 early in their careers. Set against $24,036 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Lakes College Brainerd ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools. Central Lakes College Brainerd is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Brainerd. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,249. Precision Production graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career precision production graduates make about $40,671. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northland Community And Technical College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools. Located in the town of Thief River Falls, Northland Community And Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,289. Students borrow a median of $18,550 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Northland Community And Technical College generally make around $46,528. That is a strong return on a $18,550 median debt.
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #16 among the best values for precision production. Located in the city of Rochester, Rochester Community And Technical College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,389 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,291 to complete the precision production program here. Precision Production graduates of Rochester Community And Technical College earn a median of $47,439 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,291 median debt.
Minnesota State College Southeast Technical placed #17 among the best values for precision production. Set in the town of Winona, Minnesota State College Southeast Technical is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,432 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,500 to complete the precision production program here. Early-career precision production graduates make about $49,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Anoka Technical College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value precision production schools. Located in the suburb of Anoka, Anoka Technical College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,267. Typical student debt for precision production graduates is $8,692. Precision Production graduates of Anoka Technical College earn a median of $50,690 early in their careers. Set against $8,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Dunwoody College Of Technology earned the #19 position for value in precision production this year. Set in the city of Minneapolis, Dunwoody College Of Technology is a small private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $27,477. Students borrow a median of $9,167 to complete the precision production program here. Soon after graduation, precision production degree recipients from Dunwoody College Of Technology generally make around $49,874. Set against $9,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Dunwoody College Of Technology admits about 99% of applicants.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.