Est. Earnings (1yr)
$36,490
Est. from KS median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$6,642
Est. from KS median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across Kansas suggest this precision metal working certificate could deliver solid value for the investment. Based on comparable programs in the state, graduates typically start around $36,490—right in line with what metal workers earn nationally—while carrying roughly $6,600 in debt. That debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.18 means the typical graduate earns nearly six times what they owe, allowing most to pay down their loans relatively quickly.

The four-year earnings figure of $39,884 hints at modest but steady income growth, which aligns with what skilled trades typically offer: reliable work rather than dramatic salary jumps. Kansas appears competitive for precision metal working training, with peer programs producing similar outcomes. The estimated debt here runs about $2,400 below the national median for these certificates, which matters when you're entering a field where every dollar of avoided debt translates to more take-home pay early in your career.

For families weighing a quick credential versus extended education, this pathway makes practical sense—if your student wants hands-on manufacturing work. The 32% Pell grant rate suggests Coffeyville serves working-class students well, and the debt burden won't handcuff graduates to loan payments. Just recognize these figures come from comparable programs statewide, not Coffeyville's specific graduates, so connect with the school's placement office to understand their actual job connections in the local manufacturing sector.

Where Coffeyville Community College Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Coffeyville Community College$39,884
Kansas City Kansas Community College$36,248$51,614+42%
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology$30,515$46,674+53%
Manhattan Area Technical College$34,077$42,926+26%
Washburn Institute of Technology$39,720$35,996-9%

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (23 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Coffeyville Community CollegeCoffeyville$3,040$36,490*$39,884$6,642*
Washburn Institute of TechnologyTopeka$9,120$39,720*$35,996$6,642*0.17
Washburn UniversityTopeka$9,578$39,720*$35,996$6,642*0.17
Flint Hills Technical CollegeEmporia$6,196$36,731**
Kansas City Kansas Community CollegeKansas City$3,150$36,248*$51,614*
Manhattan Area Technical CollegeManhattan$9,276$34,077*$42,926$8,250*0.24
National Median$36,248*$9,000*0.25
* 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 Coffeyville Community College, approximately 32% 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 6 similar programs in KS. Actual outcomes may vary.