Precision Metal Working at All-State Career School

All-State Career's precision metal working certificate produces graduates earning more than 60% of similar programs in Pennsylvania—solidly above the state median of $34,638. With just $13,000 in debt, graduates face manageable payments even on that first-year salary of $38,191. The debt burden ranks in the 5th percentile nationally, meaning 95% of similar programs leave students with more debt. For a school serving a predominantly Pell-eligible population (67%), these low debt levels matter enormously.

The concern here is earnings trajectory: graduates see a 5% income drop by year four rather than the gains you'd hope for. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) makes this pattern less reliable—a few graduates taking time off work or changing careers could skew the numbers significantly. What's clearer is that graduates aren't reaching the earnings of Pennsylvania's top programs, which post first-year medians closer to $46,000-$47,000.

For families prioritizing minimal debt over maximum earnings, this program delivers. The combination of reasonable starting pay and very low borrowing creates a low-risk path into skilled trades work. Just understand you're likely trading some earning potential—this isn't a ticket to the highest-paying welding and metalworking jobs in the state, but it gets your child working without the debt burden that could haunt them for years.