Location: Henderson, KY•In-State Tuition: $4,656•Out-of-State Tuition: $6,192
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$41,824
Est. from KY median (10 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$8,345
Est. from KY median (10 programs)

Analysis

This certificate program from Henderson Community College sits right at Kentucky's median for precision metal working—comparable programs across the state typically produce first-year earnings around $41,800. That's notably higher than the national median of $36,248, suggesting Kentucky's manufacturing sector offers stronger opportunities for metal workers than many other states. The estimated debt of $8,345 creates a manageable 0.20 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly one-fifth of their first year's income.

The challenge is that other Kentucky community colleges show what's possible at the higher end. Top programs like Southcentral Kentucky and Elizabethtown report graduates earning $59,000 and $53,000 respectively—substantial premiums that could accelerate debt payoff and improve long-term financial stability. Whether Henderson matches those outcomes or tracks closer to the state median is unclear from the available data.

For families weighing this option, the relatively low debt estimate is encouraging, particularly for a credential that can be completed quickly. The key question is whether Henderson's program connects students to higher-paying manufacturing employers in the region, or if proximity to one of the stronger-performing programs would be worth considering. The manufacturing industry presence around Henderson versus, say, the Elizabethtown corridor could make a meaningful difference in starting wages.

Where Henderson Community College Stands

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

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

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kentucky

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kentucky (17 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Henderson Community CollegeHenderson$4,656$41,824*—$8,345*—
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical CollegeBowling Green$4,656$58,996*—$9,413*0.16
Elizabethtown Community and Technical CollegeElizabethtown$4,656$53,172*—$7,166*0.13
Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeLexington$4,706$46,133*—$10,684*0.23
Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeOwensboro$4,656$45,366*—$7,475*0.16
Gateway Community and Technical CollegeFlorence$4,656$42,233*—$9,041*0.21
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 Henderson Community College, approximately 33% 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 10 similar programs in KY. Actual outcomes may vary.