Precision Metal Working at Flint Hills Technical College

This certificate costs an estimated $6,642 in debt based on what similar programs in Kansas typically require—considerably less than the $9,000 national median for precision metal working credentials. That lighter debt load makes a meaningful difference when paired with first-year earnings of $36,731, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.18. You're looking at roughly two months of gross salary to cover total borrowing, which represents a manageable financial commitment for a skilled trade.

The earnings themselves land solidly in the middle of the pack both nationally and within Kansas, where precision metal working programs show significant variation. Top Kansas programs like Washburn Institute of Technology report graduates earning around $39,720, while others fall below $31,000. Flint Hills sits comfortably in that middle tier, outperforming about 60% of in-state competitors while delivering outcomes close to state and national medians.

For parents evaluating this path, the key advantage is the contained cost relative to immediate earning potential. Your child could realistically clear their estimated debt within months of starting work, and the credential takes far less time than a traditional degree. The trade-off is modest earnings growth potential compared to top-performing programs, but that may matter less if your priority is getting to work quickly with minimal financial burden.