Precision Metal Working at Elite Welding Academy
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
eliteweldingacademy.comAnalysis
Elite Welding Academy's precision metal working certificate delivers exactly what matters in a trade credential: solid starting wages and consistent growth at a price that won't bury your child in debt. The numbers tell a straightforward story—graduates earn nearly 60% more than the typical Texas precision metal worker within four years of completing the program, climbing from $38,717 to $48,013. That's real wage progression in a field where many programs plateau.
The $9,500 debt load means your child would owe less than three months of their first-year salary, and they're paying roughly the same as peers statewide but earning significantly more. Among 71 Texas programs, this one ranks in the 80th percentile for earnings—meaning only the top tier does measurably better. The gap between Elite and the state median ($48,013 vs. $30,105 after four years) represents the difference between struggling paycheck-to-paycheck and building actual savings in your twenties.
Houston's robust industrial economy likely helps these outcomes, but the nearly 25% earnings growth suggests graduates are developing skills that command higher pay as they gain experience. For families where a four-year degree isn't the right fit or affordable, this represents a legitimate path to financial independence within months rather than years.
Where Elite Welding Academy Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all precision metal working certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Elite Welding Academy graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elite Welding Academy | $38,717 | $48,013 | +24% |
| School of Automotive Machinists & Technology | $43,065 | $50,472 | +17% |
| San Jacinto Community College | $42,512 | $44,619 | +5% |
| Wharton County Junior College | $28,408 | $43,137 | +52% |
| Austin Community College District | $39,261 | $43,110 | +10% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Texas
Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (71 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| — | $38,717 | $48,013 | $9,500 | 0.25 | |
| $2,136 | $48,263 | — | — | — | |
| — | $43,065 | $50,472 | $16,354 | 0.38 | |
| $1,992 | $42,512 | $44,619 | — | — | |
| $3,090 | $40,863 | $28,942 | $4,562 | 0.11 | |
| $2,550 | $39,261 | $43,110 | $15,818 | 0.40 | |
| National Median | — | $36,248 | — | $9,000 | 0.25 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with precision metal working graduates
Sheet Metal Workers
Machinists
Tool and Die Makers
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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 Elite Welding Academy, approximately 45% 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 97 graduates with reported earnings and 99 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.