Precision Metal Working at Maysville Community and Technical College

With just under 30 graduates tracked, these numbers come with uncertainty, but they tell a story worth examining. At $36,394 in first-year earnings, Maysville's precision metal working program lands near the national middle but trails most Kentucky competitors—earning about $5,400 less than the state median. That gap matters when you're comparing in-state options: the top Kentucky programs like Southcentral and Elizabethtown produce graduates earning $50,000+, suggesting location or industry connections may significantly impact outcomes.

The positive here is manageable debt. At $9,820, students borrow slightly above the state median but keep their debt-to-earnings ratio at a comfortable 0.27—meaning debt equals just over three months of salary. That's sustainable. However, modest earnings growth from year one to year four (just $2,000) suggests wages plateau quickly in this field, at least for graduates tracked here.

For parents, the question is straightforward: if your student can access higher-performing Kentucky programs without relocating significantly, those alternatives deliver substantially better returns. But if Maysville's accessibility—whether geographic or financial—makes it the most practical option, the debt load won't bury your child. Just recognize they're likely entering the middle tier of this field's earning potential, not the top.