Precision Metal Working at Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis

This precision metalworking program delivers solid, immediate career results with manageable debt, though it doesn't lead the pack in Indiana. With median first-year earnings of $37,249 and just $9,429 in debt, graduates face a very reasonable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25—meaning they could theoretically pay off their loans in three months of gross earnings. The 14% earnings growth to $42,279 by year four shows steady career progression in this skilled trade.

However, the program ranks in the 40th percentile among Indiana's three metalworking programs, trailing Ivy Tech's stronger $41,767 median by about $4,500 annually. While the debt level matches the state median, the earnings lag behind Indiana's $39,508 median for this field. Nationally, the program performs slightly above average at the 57th percentile, but this relative strength matters less than the in-state comparison since most students will compete locally for jobs.

For families prioritizing quick entry into stable work with minimal debt, this program delivers on that promise. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates and the school's 64% Pell grant population suggest it serves working-class students well. However, if your child can access Ivy Tech's superior program, that would offer better long-term earning potential in the same field.