Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,713
Est. from OH median (14 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$6,203
Est. from OH median (4 programs)

Analysis

A $6,200 debt load for a credential that positions graduates near $39,000 in first-year earnings represents unusually strong economics for a technical certificate. Based on comparable metalworking programs across Ohio, this debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 means graduates would need just two months of income to clear their educational debt—a stark contrast to programs that burden students with debt equal to half their first year's salary or more.

Similar precision metalworking programs in Ohio suggest earnings around $38,700, which sits comfortably above the national median of $36,248 for these credentials. While top-performing Ohio programs like Hobart Institute reach $45,000+, the estimated figures here still land in respectable territory—particularly given the minimal debt burden. The state's 61 programs in this field vary widely in outcomes, but peer institutions typically saddle students with $9,500 in debt, making the estimated $6,200 here notably lower.

For parents weighing whether their child should pursue skilled trades, this program's estimated financial profile suggests a viable path. The combination of below-average debt and near-median earnings creates immediate financial stability rather than years of repayment struggle. Just understand that because these figures derive from similar Ohio programs rather than this school's actual graduate outcomes, your child's experience could differ—but the fundamental economics of metalworking certificates in Ohio appear sound.

Where Miami Valley Career Technology Center Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (61 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Miami Valley Career Technology CenterEnglewood$38,713*$6,203*
Hobart Institute of Welding TechnologyTroy$45,370*$47,472$5,500*0.12
Butler Technology and Career Development SchoolsMonroe$42,625*$6,327*0.15
Great Oaks Career CampusesCincinnati$41,277*$38,354$6,078*0.15
Fortis College-Cuyahoga FallsCuyahoga Falls$14,050$39,990*$35,129*
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical SchoolsGroveport$39,328*$44,145$6,485*0.16
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 Miami Valley Career Technology Center, approximately 38% 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 14 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.