Precision Metal Working at Davidson-Davie Community College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Analysis
With nearly $40,000 in first-year earnings and just $11,000 in debt, Davidson-Davie's precision metal working certificate delivers one of the strongest financial returns you'll find in vocational education. That 0.28 debt ratio means graduates earn their full debt load back in roughly three months—a solid foundation for a young person entering the trades.
The program sits in the 60th percentile among North Carolina's precision metal working programs, performing notably better than the state median of $37,004. While it's not the top program in the state (NASCAR Technical Institute edges it out slightly), it outearns most community college alternatives and keeps debt lower than the state median. The low debt burden is particularly impressive, landing in the 18th percentile nationally—meaning 82% of similar programs saddle students with more debt for comparable outcomes.
The catch: this data reflects fewer than 30 graduates, so individual outcomes could vary more than at larger programs. That said, the underlying fundamentals—strong regional manufacturing demand, reasonable training costs, immediate workforce entry—suggest these numbers aren't flukes. For a student interested in skilled trades who wants to avoid four-year costs, this represents a practical path to stable employment with minimal financial risk.
Where Davidson-Davie Community College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all precision metal working certificate's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Davidson-Davie Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Davidson-Davie Community College graduates earn $40k, placing them in the 75th percentile of all precision metal working certificate programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina
Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (59 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davidson-Davie Community College | $39,990 | — | $11,000 | 0.28 |
| NASCAR Technical Institute | $37,568 | — | $10,593 | 0.28 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | $37,078 | — | — | — |
| Guilford Technical Community College | $36,930 | $36,750 | — | — |
| Johnston Community College | $34,171 | — | — | — |
| Richmond Community College | $31,268 | — | — | — |
| National Median | $36,248 | — | $9,000 | 0.25 |
Other Precision Metal Working Programs in North Carolina
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across North Carolina schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Technical Institute Mooresville | — | $37,568 | $10,593 |
| Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Asheville | $2,882 | $37,078 | — |
| Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown | $2,319 | $36,930 | — |
| Johnston Community College Smithfield | $2,657 | $34,171 | — |
| Richmond Community College Hamlet | $2,552 | $31,268 | — |
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 Davidson-Davie Community College, approximately 30% 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.
Sample Size: Based on 20 graduates with reported earnings and 19 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.