Location: Steubenville, OH•In-State Tuition: $4,205•Out-of-State Tuition: $6,071
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,713
Est. from OH median (14 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$6,203
Est. from OH median (4 programs)

Analysis

Similar precision metalworking programs in Ohio typically see graduates earning around $39,000 in their first year—slightly above the national benchmark—and taking on roughly $6,200 in debt based on state patterns. That translates to a debt load of just 16% of first-year income, which is exceptionally manageable. For comparison, the strongest programs in Ohio report outcomes ranging from $39,000 to $45,000, suggesting Eastern Gateway's certificate likely positions graduates in the middle of this competitive field.

The trades present a straightforward value calculation, and metalworking is no exception. Even at median performance for Ohio programs, your child would be looking at earnings that cover their educational investment in about two months of work. The relatively low debt estimate—well below both state and national medians for this credential—means financial risk stays contained while skills acquisition begins immediately.

The uncertainty here isn't whether this path makes financial sense—the math works even at the lower end of peer outcomes—but rather whether Eastern Gateway specifically delivers the hands-on training and employer connections that top-performing Ohio programs clearly provide. Visit the campus, talk to instructors about job placement, and ask which local manufacturers hire their graduates. The debt-to-earnings fundamentals are sound; you're really evaluating program quality and fit.

Where Eastern Gateway Community College Stands

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

Eastern Gateway Community College (estimated ±10%)Other precision metal working programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (61 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Eastern Gateway Community CollegeSteubenville$4,205$38,713*—$6,203*—
Hobart Institute of Welding TechnologyTroy—$45,370*$47,472$5,500*0.12
Butler Technology and Career Development SchoolsMonroe—$42,625*—$6,327*0.15
Great Oaks Career CampusesCincinnati—$41,277*$38,354$6,078*0.15
Fortis College-Cuyahoga FallsCuyahoga Falls$14,050$39,990*$35,129—*—
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical SchoolsGroveport—$39,328*$44,145$6,485*0.16
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 Eastern Gateway 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.

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 14 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.