Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at John Wood Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,504

Est. from national median (56 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,562

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 suggests manageable borrowing, but the reality here is we're working with national averages rather than John Wood's actual outcomes. Similar precision metal working programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,500, which would make the estimated $11,562 in debt reasonably affordable—roughly three months of gross income. However, with 27 programs across Illinois and none publishing reliable graduate data, it's difficult to assess how this particular program stacks up against regional alternatives or what employers in the Quincy area actually pay precision metalworkers.

The broader skilled trades landscape offers useful context: associate degrees in precision manufacturing typically lead to steady employment, and the work itself—CNC machining, welding, tool and die making—remains in demand as experienced tradespeople retire. But "typical" doesn't tell you whether John Wood's equipment is current, whether their instructors have industry connections in the region, or how their graduates fare compared to those from programs in Peoria or the Quad Cities. These local factors matter enormously in vocational training.

If your child is mechanically inclined and interested in manufacturing, the estimated numbers suggest this wouldn't be a financial disaster. But visit the campus, ask about job placement specifics, and talk to local manufacturers about what credentials they value. The estimated figures provide a floor for expectations, not a guarantee.

Where John Wood Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
John Wood Community CollegeQuincy	$5,700	$41,504*	—	$11,562*	—
Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park	$5,881	$59,829*	$73,136	—*	—
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids	$13,630	$56,811*	$77,380	$17,500*	0.31
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis	$4,912	$56,292*	$64,893	$6,810*	0.12
Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis	$25,659	$55,188*	$61,261	$12,000*	0.22
Vincennes UniversityVincennes	$6,886	$54,908*	$52,065	$12,000*	0.22
National Median	—	$41,504*	—	$12,000*	0.29

* 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 John Wood Community College, approximately 39% 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 national median of 56 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.