Precision Metal Working at Moore Career College

Moore Career College graduates earn $22,104 their first year after this precision metal working certificate—putting them roughly $10,000 below what Louisiana community colleges typically deliver for the same credential. While the program sits near the Louisiana median (40th percentile statewide), that's partly because Louisiana's entire precision metal working landscape underperforms: the state median is only $25,603 versus $36,248 nationally. Delgado Community College graduates earn nearly 50% more with the same certificate, suggesting location and employer connections matter enormously in this field.

The positive here is minimal debt—just $7,762, which translates to a manageable 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio. With 100% of students receiving Pell grants, Moore serves a genuinely low-income population who can't afford mistakes. The low debt reduces risk, but it doesn't solve the core problem: these earnings barely exceed minimum wage work. At $22,104 annually, graduates would struggle to cover basic expenses in Baton Rouge, much less get ahead financially.

If your child is serious about precision metal working in Louisiana, Delgado's program offers significantly stronger earnings outcomes with similar debt levels. Moore's certificate keeps debt low, which matters, but the earning power simply doesn't justify even a short-term investment when better alternatives exist within the same state.