Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at Central Lakes College-Brainerd

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$53,468

Est. from MN median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,562

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

Minnesota's precision metal working programs cluster tightly in earnings, and peer programs in the state suggest first-year outcomes around $53,000—nearly $12,000 above the national median for this field. Central Lakes College's graduates appear to follow this regional pattern, with fourth-year earnings of $63,000 representing solid mid-career growth. The estimated $11,500 in debt produces a 0.22 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly two months of first-year income.

The caveat here is that we're working with estimated figures rather than reported outcomes specific to Central Lakes. However, the school's graduates land in reasonable territory compared to Minnesota's top programs: Hennepin Tech leads at $60,000, while Minneapolis Community and Technical trails at $45,000. Central Lakes appears positioned in the middle of this pack, which matters in a state where precision metal working pays substantially better than the national norm.

For parents weighing this investment, the fundamentals look sound. Precision metal working offers immediate earning potential with manageable debt, and Minnesota's manufacturing sector supports wages well above what these graduates would see elsewhere. The bigger question is whether your student has the aptitude and interest for skilled trades work—because the financial case, based on how similar programs perform, holds up well.

Where Central Lakes College-Brainerd Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Central Lakes College-Brainerd	—	$62,704	—
Ferris State University	$56,811	$77,380	+36%
Hennepin Technical College	$59,829	$73,136	+22%
Dunwoody College of Technology	$55,188	$61,261	+11%
Minneapolis Community and Technical College	$44,635	$53,551	+20%

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
Central Lakes College-BrainerdBrainerd	$6,209	$53,468*	$62,704	$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
Anoka Technical CollegeAnoka	$6,267	$51,747*	—	—*	—
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 Central Lakes College-Brainerd, approximately 15% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.