Precision Metal Working at Hinds Community College

Hinds Community College graduates start significantly behind their Mississippi peers—earning $22,434 in the first year compared to the state median of $33,524—and never fully catch up. Even after four years, when earnings reach $30,742, graduates trail those from Northwest Mississippi CC ($36,303) and East Mississippi CC ($35,345). This program ranks in just the 10th percentile statewide, meaning 90% of precision metal working programs in Mississippi deliver better outcomes.

The 37% earnings growth sounds promising until you realize it's recovering from an unusually low starting point. At $5,500, the debt load matches the state median and stays manageable, but that's cold comfort when your first-year earnings barely exceed $22,000. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 looks reasonable on paper, yet you're still watching your child earn $11,000 less than the state median right out of the gate.

For an anxious parent, the bottom line is clear: if your child is set on precision metal working in Mississippi, other community colleges offer substantially better earnings from day one. Northwest Mississippi, East Mississippi, and Itawamba all place graduates at significantly higher starting salaries without requiring more debt. Unless there are compelling geographic or personal reasons to choose Hinds, exploring these alternatives makes financial sense.