Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at Anoka Technical College

Analysis

First-year earnings of $51,747 place this program in the 92nd percentile nationally—well above the typical $41,504 that precision metal working graduates earn across the country. However, the Minnesota market tells a different story: Anoka Technical sits in the middle of the pack at the 40th percentile statewide, where the median is $53,468. This program outperforms most of the nation but trails local options like Hennepin Technical ($59,829) and Dunwoody College of Technology ($55,188) by $8,000-$4,000 annually.

The estimated debt of $11,562 (based on typical borrowing at similar schools) creates a comfortable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.22, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than three months of gross earnings. That's a strong financial foundation, even if actual borrowing varies from this estimate.

The practical question is whether proximity or other factors make Anoka Technical the right choice over higher-earning programs nearby. The roughly $5,000 salary gap compared to Hennepin Technical adds up to $50,000 over a decade—real money that could offset any commute or relocation costs. If Anoka Technical is meaningfully more convenient or fits your child's schedule better, the program still delivers solid earnings. But if those logistics are comparable, the data suggests exploring the higher-earning options first.

Where Anoka Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all precision metal working associates's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Anoka Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (12 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka	$6,267	$51,747	—	$11,562*	—
Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park	$5,881	$59,829	$73,136	—*	—
Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis	$25,659	$55,188	$61,261	$12,000*	0.22
Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeMinneapolis	$6,128	$44,635	$53,551	—*	—
National Median	—	$41,504	—	$12,000*	0.29

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with precision metal working graduates

Sheet Metal Workers

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

$60,850/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Tool and Die Makers

Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

$51,000/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Anoka Technical College, approximately 33% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.