Precision Metal Working at Midlands Technical College

A $41,500 first-year salary projection—based on similar precision metal working programs nationally—paired with roughly $11,600 in estimated debt creates a manageable financial picture for this technical field. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28 means graduates would need to dedicate just over three months of gross pay to cover their loans, a relatively light burden for an associate's degree. With 11 schools in South Carolina offering this program, competition exists, but the national benchmarks suggest consistent outcomes across institutions in this trade.

The challenge here is the complete absence of actual data—both earnings and debt figures are estimates because too few students completed this specific program for federal reporting purposes. That small cohort size raises practical questions about the program's viability and whether Midlands Technical College has the industry connections and placement infrastructure that makes metal working credentials valuable. Peer programs nationally cluster tightly around the $41,500 mark, with top performers reaching only $47,500, suggesting this field has a defined ceiling rather than dramatic variation by school quality.

For parents, the numbers work on paper if your child completes the degree efficiently and the program delivers what similar schools provide. But the lack of track record at this institution means you're betting on national trends rather than proven local outcomes. Visit the campus, talk to current students, and ask specifically about job placement rates and employer partnerships before committing.