Precision Metal Working at Chippewa Valley Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College's precision metal working program significantly outperforms the national field, with graduates earning $48,638 in their first year—34% above the national median and comfortably above the national 75th percentile. The debt load of $8,109 translates to roughly two months of first-year earnings, creating one of the strongest payoff ratios you'll find in vocational education. Within Wisconsin's competitive technical college system, this program sits comfortably in the middle tier, trailing only Fox Valley and Lakeshore among major programs in the state.

What makes this particularly compelling is the earnings trajectory: graduates see steady growth to $51,817 by year four, bucking the stagnation pattern common in many technical certificates. The combination of low debt, strong immediate earnings, and continued wage growth suggests employers value these skills enough to invest in retention. Wisconsin's manufacturing sector provides the stable demand that supports these numbers.

For parents weighing technical training versus traditional four-year degrees, this represents a fundamentally different calculation—your child could be earning nearly $50,000 within a year while carrying debt that's manageable on a monthly payment plan. The program delivers what technical education promises: rapid entry into skilled employment with minimal financial burden.