Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga

Median Earnings (1yr)

$30,105

22nd percentile

40th percentile in Tennessee

Median Debt

$13,000

44% above national median

Analysis

This precision metalworking program delivers below-average earnings despite reasonable debt levels, making it a questionable investment compared to alternatives in Tennessee. Graduates earn $30,105 in their first year, which falls in just the 22nd percentile nationally and 40th percentile statewide—meaning 60% of similar Tennessee programs produce better outcomes. While the $13,000 debt load is relatively modest (5th percentile nationally), the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.43 means students are borrowing nearly half their first-year salary.

The earnings picture becomes more concerning when compared to Tennessee's top-performing programs. Tennessee College of Applied Technology locations consistently deliver $40,000+ starting salaries—about $10,000 more than Miller-Motte graduates earn. Even Chattanooga State Community College, located in the same city, produces graduates earning $39,664, over $9,000 more than this program. The 19% earnings growth to $35,704 by year four helps somewhat, but graduates still trail better alternatives significantly.

For families considering this program, the data suggests looking elsewhere. With 30 precision metalworking programs across Tennessee and several strong options nearby, this program's below-average performance doesn't justify the investment. The high Pell grant percentage (85%) indicates the school serves financially vulnerable students, making the subpar outcomes particularly concerning. Consider the nearby community college option or Tennessee College of Applied Technology campuses for substantially better earning potential in the same field.

Where Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga	$30,105	$35,704	+19%
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Shelbyville	$40,605	$46,721	+15%
TCAT Athens	$35,913	$45,261	+26%
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville	$39,054	$43,143	+10%
Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville	$37,249	$42,279	+14%

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (30 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Miller-Motte College-ChattanoogaChattanooga	—	$30,105	$35,704	$13,000	0.43
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-JacksonJackson	—	$43,864	$41,465	—	—
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-MurfreesboroMurfreesboro	—	$42,688	—	—	—
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-ShelbyvilleShelbyville	—	$40,605	$46,721	—	—
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga	$4,550	$39,664	$38,759	$4,611	0.12
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-KnoxvilleKnoxville	—	$39,054	$43,143	—	—
National Median	—	$36,248	—	$9,000	0.25

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 Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga, approximately 85% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 809 graduates with reported earnings and 631 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.