Precision Metal Working at Dunwoody College of Technology

Dunwoody's Precision Metal Working program produces graduates earning $55,188 within a year of completing this two-year degree—that's $13,700 above the national median for this field and ranks in the 95th percentile nationally. The $12,000 in typical debt means graduates owe roughly 22% of their first year's salary, a manageable burden that most metalworking positions should allow them to pay down quickly. Within four years, earnings climb to over $61,000, representing solid 11% growth and suggesting these graduates are advancing into more specialized or supervisory roles.

The Minnesota context matters here. While this program excels nationally, it sits at the 60th percentile among the state's 12 metalworking programs—solid but not exceptional. Hennepin Technical College, for instance, gets graduates to nearly $60,000 right out of the gate. That said, Dunwoody's combination of strong earnings and moderate debt still delivers clear value, particularly compared to schools like Minneapolis Community and Technical College where starting salaries lag by more than $10,000.

The main caveat is sample size: with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these numbers could shift significantly year to year. But the fundamentals look sound—graduates enter the workforce earning well above typical metalworking wages while carrying debt that won't derail their finances. For families weighing Minnesota technical programs, this represents a reliable path to skilled manufacturing work, even if it's not the absolute highest earner in the state.