Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Colorado School of Trades

Colorado School of Trades graduates start around $40,000—below the national median for precision systems programs but exactly matching Colorado's in-state average. Here's the problem: earnings drop to $37,000 by year four, a 7% decline that puts graduates on a concerning trajectory in a field where skills typically command higher wages. While the school ranks in the 60th percentile among Colorado programs (suggesting it's slightly better than the only other in-state option), it lands in just the 5th percentile nationally, indicating most students elsewhere achieve substantially better outcomes.

The $20,000 debt load isn't crushing by itself—it's actually near both state and national medians—but combined with declining earnings, the math gets harder each year. In a hands-on technical field like precision systems maintenance, graduates usually see wage growth as they gain experience, not the reverse. This pattern raises questions about either the strength of local demand for these skills or how well the training translates to higher-paying positions.

For families considering this program, understand that you're looking at earnings that may not keep pace with inflation while paying down debt. If your student is committed to this specific technical field and needs to stay in Colorado, this is one of only two options. But the national comparison suggests it's worth exploring programs in nearby states or considering whether related trades like industrial maintenance or HVAC might offer stronger earning potential with similar hands-on training.