Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Minnesota State Community and Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)Estimated

$49,342

Est. from MN median (13 programs)

Est. Median DebtEstimated

$9,500

Est. from MN median (11 programs)

Based on U.S. Department of Education data (October 2025 release). Some figures are estimates based on similar programs — see details below.

Analysis

Minnesota's precision metal working programs cluster tightly around $50,000 in first-year earnings, and M State appears positioned right in that pack. Based on comparable programs across the state, graduates here can expect earnings near $49,300—substantially higher than the $36,200 national median for these certificates. The estimated $9,500 in debt aligns with both state and national norms for these credentials.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 suggests manageable repayment: graduates would owe roughly two months' gross pay. For a program that likely takes less than a year to complete, that's a reasonable investment. The real question is whether M State delivers the same hands-on training and employer connections that drive the stronger outcomes at programs like Hennepin Tech ($52,400) or Alexandria Tech ($51,100). These certificates live or die on equipment quality and industry partnerships, factors that vary considerably even when earnings don't.

The bottom line: These estimates suggest solid earning potential relative to minimal debt, but you're relying on state averages rather than M State's specific track record. Before enrolling, visit the program, talk to instructors about job placement rates, and confirm that the local manufacturing base actually needs these skills—a certificate is only valuable if there are shops hiring when your child graduates.

Where Minnesota State Community and Technical College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Minnesota State Community and Technical CollegeFergus Falls	$5,900	$49,342*	—	$9,500*	—
Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park	$5,881	$52,456*	$52,821	$9,329*	0.18
Alexandria Technical & Community CollegeAlexandria	$6,213	$51,141*	$55,483	$9,500*	0.19
Saint Paul CollegeSaint Paul	$6,318	$50,842*	$50,851	$9,928*	0.20
Dakota County Technical CollegeRosemount	$6,419	$50,464*	$45,038	$5,500*	0.11
St Cloud Technical and Community CollegeSaint Cloud	$4,957	$49,636*	$52,427	$9,500*	0.19
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 Minnesota State Community and Technical College, approximately 25% 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 13 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.