Precision Metal Working: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 74 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Positive payoff
+$2,130 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting associate's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 2-year duration.
This is a positive modeled result. Price, time to finish and future earnings can still change the outcome.
9.8 yrsModeled economic break-even
+2%Modeled 10-year ROI
$56,479Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$56,479Median reported earnings · year 4
$54,240Average reported earnings · year 5
$12,000Median federal debt
67thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
74Reporting programs
74With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $47,927
- Federal debt
- $9,329
- Reporting programs
- 398
Associate's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $56,479
- Federal debt
- $12,000
- Reporting programs
- 74
Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)
- Year-4 earnings
- $61,829
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 2
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$51,467National median$56,47975th percentile$63,811
74 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1Ferris State University$86,9412Del Mar College$79,3033Hennepin Technical College$76,0204Des Moines Area Community College$75,1455Ivy Tech Community College$75,0026Dunwoody College of Technology$70,8867Clark College$70,5048Pennsylvania College of Technology$70,2989Austin Community College District$69,18510Ranken Technical College$68,297Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherSOC 51-4199 · 3 crosswalk linksComputer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsSOC 51-9161 · 2 crosswalk linksCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4031 · 2 crosswalk linksGrinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4033 · 2 crosswalk linksHeat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4191 · 2 crosswalk linksLayout Workers, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4192 · 2 crosswalk linksMachinistsSOC 51-4041 · 2 crosswalk linksMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4081 · 2 crosswalk linksRolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4023 · 2 crosswalk linksStructural Metal Fabricators and FittersSOC 51-2041 · 2 crosswalk linksComputer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersSOC 51-9162 · 1 crosswalk linksDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4032 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ferris State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Big Rapids, MI | $86,941 | $17,500 | +291% | Strong payoff |
| 2 | Del Mar CollegeAssociate's Degree | Corpus Christi, TX | $79,303 | Not available | +254% | Strong payoff |
| 3 | Hennepin Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Brooklyn Park, MN | $76,020 | Not available | +181% | Strong payoff |
| 4 | Des Moines Area Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ankeny, IA | $75,145 | Not available | +168% | Strong payoff |
| 5 | Ivy Tech Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Indianapolis, IN | $75,002 | $6,810 | +187% | Strong payoff |
| 6 | Dunwoody College of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $70,886 | $12,000 | +80% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Clark CollegeAssociate's Degree | Vancouver, WA | $70,504 | Not available | +126% | Strong payoff |
| 8 | Pennsylvania College of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Williamsport, PA | $70,298 | $14,750 | +80% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | Austin Community College DistrictAssociate's Degree | Austin, TX | $69,185 | $14,122 | +135% | Strong payoff |
| 10 | Ranken Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Saint Louis, MO | $68,297 | $15,000 | +83% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Lancaster, PA | $68,071 | $12,000 | +95% | Positive payoff |
| 12 | Westmoreland County Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Youngwood, PA | $66,589 | Not available | +115% | Strong payoff |
| 13 | Idaho State UniversityAssociate's Degree | Pocatello, ID | $66,138 | Not available | +85% | Positive payoff |
| 14 | Santa Ana CollegeAssociate's Degree | Santa Ana, CA | $65,618 | Not available | +114% | Strong payoff |
| 15 | Portland Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Portland, OR | $64,659 | Not available | +77% | Positive payoff |
| 16 | Vincennes UniversityAssociate's Degree | Vincennes, IN | $64,198 | $12,000 | +71% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | Central New Mexico Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Albuquerque, NM | $64,190 | $6,440 | +93% | Positive payoff |
| 18 | Greenville Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Greenville, SC | $63,910 | Not available | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 19 | Northwest CollegeAssociate's Degree | Powell, WY | $63,897 | Not available | +80% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | Southeast Community College AreaAssociate's Degree | Lincoln, NE | $63,811 | $11,650 | +74% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | State Technical College of MissouriAssociate's Degree | Linn, MO | $63,519 | $11,474 | +54% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | Grand Rapids Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Grand Rapids, MI | $63,350 | Not available | +71% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | Southwestern Illinois CollegeAssociate's Degree | Belleville, IL | $62,981 | Not available | +62% | Positive payoff |
| 24 | Fox Valley Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Appleton, WI | $62,504 | Not available | +55% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | Central Maine Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Auburn, ME | $61,562 | Not available | +59% | Positive payoff |
| 26 | North Dakota State College of ScienceAssociate's Degree | Wahpeton, ND | $61,509 | $11,246 | +47% | Positive payoff |
| 27 | Beal UniversityAssociate's Degree | Bangor, ME | $61,300 | $13,541 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Central Lakes College-BrainerdAssociate's Degree | Brainerd, MN | $60,088 | Not available | +28% | Positive payoff |
| 29 | Mohawk Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Utica, NY | $60,081 | Not available | +40% | Positive payoff |
| 30 | Community College of DenverAssociate's Degree | Denver, CO | $59,364 | Not available | +32% | Positive payoff |
| 31 | Kennebec Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Fairfield, ME | $59,020 | Not available | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 32 | Indian Hills Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ottumwa, IA | $58,822 | Not available | +24% | Positive payoff |
| 33 | Spokane Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Spokane, WA | $58,458 | Not available | +33% | Positive payoff |
| 34 | Texas State Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Waco, TX | $57,743 | $9,168 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | Colorado Mesa UniversityAssociate's Degree | Grand Junction, CO | $56,832 | Not available | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | New Castle School of TradesAssociate's Degree | New Castle, PA | $56,532 | $9,931 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | Ozarks Technical Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Springfield, MO | $56,425 | Not available | +10% | Positive payoff |
| 38 | Kirkwood Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cedar Rapids, IA | $55,888 | $13,500 | -0% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Central Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Grand Island, NE | $55,682 | $5,500 | +3% | Positive payoff |
| 40 | Tulsa Welding School-TulsaAssociate's Degree | Tulsa, OK | $55,612 | $19,357 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | Metropolitan Community College AreaAssociate's Degree | Omaha, NE | $54,754 | Not available | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | South Texas CollegeAssociate's Degree | McAllen, TX | $54,464 | Not available | +1% | Positive payoff |
| 43 | College of Eastern IdahoAssociate's Degree | Idaho Falls, ID | $54,229 | Not available | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Ohio Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Cleveland, OH | $53,428 | $7,667 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Central Piedmont Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $53,400 | Not available | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Pueblo Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Pueblo, CO | $53,160 | $11,300 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Lake Washington Institute of TechnologyAssociate's Degree | Kirkland, WA | $53,007 | Not available | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAssociate's Degree | Alfred, NY | $52,635 | $12,000 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | Western Dakota Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Rapid City, SD | $51,988 | $12,000 | -39% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | SUNY College of Technology at DelhiAssociate's Degree | Delhi, NY | $51,978 | $12,000 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | Montana State University BillingsAssociate's Degree | Billings, MT | $51,467 | Not available | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Lake Area Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Watertown, SD | $51,201 | $11,001 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $51,059 | Not available | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Asheville, NC | $48,371 | Not available | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Vernon CollegeAssociate's Degree | Vernon, TX | $47,552 | $5,500 | -75% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Pima Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $46,450 | Not available | -85% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | College of Western IdahoAssociate's Degree | Nampa, ID | $46,366 | $8,000 | -87% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Ranger CollegeAssociate's Degree | Ranger, TX | $45,941 | Not available | -91% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Pikes Peak State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Colorado Springs, CO | $45,322 | Not available | -97% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Trinity Valley Community CollegeAssociate's Degree | Athens, TX | $43,964 | Not available | -111% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | Southern Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | Orlando, FL | $40,511 | $20,000 | -134% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | New Mexico State University-Dona AnaAssociate's Degree | Las Cruces, NM | $39,299 | Not available | -156% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | New Mexico State University-GrantsAssociate's Degree | Grants, NM | $39,299 | Not available | -163% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | New Mexico State University-Main CampusAssociate's Degree | Las Cruces, NM | $39,299 | Not available | -153% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | Peninsula CollegeAssociate's Degree | Port Angeles, WA | $38,488 | Not available | -160% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | Helena College University of MontanaAssociate's Degree | Helena, MT | $36,385 | Not available | -176% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | Mech-Tech CollegeAssociate's Degree | Caguas, PR | $30,912 | Not available | -226% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | Pittsburgh Technical CollegeAssociate's Degree | , | $56,574 | $14,499 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 69 | Triangle Tech Inc-GreensburgAssociate's Degree | , | $51,550 | $18,262 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 70 | Triangle Tech Inc-BethlehemAssociate's Degree | , | $51,550 | $18,262 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 71 | Triangle Tech Inc-DuboisAssociate's Degree | , | $51,505 | $12,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 72 | Triangle Tech Inc-SunburyAssociate's Degree | , | $51,505 | $12,000 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 73 | Triangle Tech Inc-PittsburghAssociate's Degree | , | $46,982 | $13,944 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 74 | Triangle Tech-ChambersburgAssociate's Degree | , | $46,982 | $13,944 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.