Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians: is this associate's degree worth it?
National picture across 3 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$94,867 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.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
37.2 yrsModeled economic break-even
−73%Modeled 10-year ROI
$48,487Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$48,487Median reported earnings · year 4
$52,990Average reported earnings · year 5
$18,200Median federal debt
50thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
3Reporting programs
3With 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.
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$44,411National median$48,48775th percentile$48,487
3 programs report year‑4 earnings.DECISION CHECK
What to compare before choosing a program
The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.
Find the colleges that fit your constraints
Keep this exact federal field and credential fixed, then narrow the reporting colleges by location, sector and federal debt.
3 matchesShowing up to 25 currently operating colleges
1Sonoran Desert InstituteTempe, AZ · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$54,922Federal debt$16,400Annual net price$20,6782Murray State CollegeTishomingo, OK · PublicYear-4 earnings$48,487Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,8443Colorado School of TradesLakewood, CO · Private for-profitYear-4 earnings$44,411Federal debt$20,000Annual net price$26,083
Open the full program search →See the spread, not just the national number.
1Sonoran Desert Institute$54,9222Murray State College$48,4873Colorado School of Trades$44,411Observed 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.
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All OtherSOC 49-9099 · 2 crosswalk linksCamera and Photographic Equipment RepairersSOC 49-9061 · 1 crosswalk linksJewelers and Precious Stone and Metal WorkersSOC 51-9071 · 1 crosswalk linksLocksmiths and Safe RepairersSOC 49-9094 · 1 crosswalk linksMusical Instrument Repairers and TunersSOC 49-9063 · 1 crosswalk linksPrecision Instrument and Equipment Repairers, All OtherSOC 49-9069 · 1 crosswalk linksTiming Device Assemblers and AdjustersSOC 51-2061 · 1 crosswalk linksWatch and Clock RepairersSOC 49-9064 · 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 | Sonoran Desert InstituteAssociate's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $54,922 | $16,400 | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 2 | Murray State CollegeAssociate's Degree | Tishomingo, OK | $48,487 | Not available | -70% | Negative payoff |
| 3 | Colorado School of TradesAssociate's Degree | Lakewood, CO | $44,411 | $20,000 | -104% | Negative payoff |
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.