Precision Metal Working at ETI Technical College of Niles

Starting at $27,290, ETI Technical College's precision metalworking program trails both Ohio's state median ($38,713) and the national average ($36,248) by substantial margins—ranking in just the 25th percentile among Ohio programs. While the modest debt load of $12,255 is genuinely low compared to national benchmarks, that's cold comfort when competing programs in Ohio routinely produce graduates earning $10,000-15,000 more right out of the gate. The top programs in the state, like Hobart Institute of Welding Technology at $45,370, demonstrate what's possible in this field within your state.

The 30% earnings growth to $35,520 by year four shows improvement, but graduates still lag behind where many peers started. For a program serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (73%), starting this far behind the state median creates real financial pressure during those crucial early career years. Consider that Butler Technology graduates start at $42,625—that $15,000 difference matters enormously when you're managing rent, transportation, and loan payments.

If your child is set on metalworking in Ohio, visit the higher-performing programs first. The debt here is manageable, but the earnings gap suggests either curriculum differences, employer connections, or geographic limitations that put ETI graduates at a disadvantage in the regional job market.