Precision Metal Working at Mid-State Technical College

Mid-State Technical College's precision metal working certificate gets you into the field with minimal debt—just $4,750, which ranks among the lowest nationally—but the earnings trail behind what's typical for Wisconsin. At around $39,000 annually, graduates here earn about $2,000 less than the state median for this program and sit at the 40th percentile among Wisconsin's 17 schools offering precision metal working. Compare that to nearby Fox Valley Technical College, where graduates average $53,500, and the gap becomes harder to ignore.

The modest 3% earnings growth over four years suggests this program leads to stable but not particularly dynamic manufacturing careers. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.12 is excellent—you'd pay off that loan quickly—but when Wisconsin's technical colleges consistently produce higher-earning metalworkers, the opportunity cost matters. These numbers come from a small graduating class, so individual outcomes likely vary more than usual.

For a quick credential with low financial risk, this works. But if your child wants to maximize their metalworking income in Wisconsin, the data strongly suggests looking at Fox Valley, Chippewa Valley, or Lakeshore Technical College, where graduates earn $9,000 to $14,000 more per year right out of the gate.