Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at North Dakota State College of Science

Median Earnings (1yr)

$51,647

92nd percentile

Median Debt

$11,246

6% below national median

Analysis

With earnings nearly $10,000 above the national median for precision metal working programs, North Dakota State College of Science turns out graduates who immediately command premium wages in a trades market hungry for skilled workers. At $51,647 in year one, these grads earn more than 92% of precision metalworking programs nationwide—though the 60th percentile ranking within North Dakota suggests this strong performance reflects the state's robust manufacturing and energy sectors as much as the program itself.

The debt load of $11,246 translates to just over two months of gross income, creating breathing room that most associate degree holders don't enjoy. Earnings tick up modestly to $53,162 by year four, which is typical for trades that value hands-on experience but don't follow traditional corporate advancement ladders. Given that only three North Dakota schools offer this program and sample sizes are small, these numbers likely capture a tight-knit cohort entering specific regional employers.

For parents whose children have mechanical aptitude, this represents a low-risk entry into stable industrial work. The combination of minimal debt and immediate earning power means graduates can start building wealth or exploring specializations within months of finishing. Just understand that the ceiling may be lower than programs with steeper earning curves—you're paying for quick employment and financial independence, not decades of salary growth.

Where North Dakota State College of Science Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How North Dakota State College of Science 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
North Dakota State College of Science	$51,647	$53,162	+3%
Ferris State University	$56,811	$77,380	+36%
Hennepin Technical College	$59,829	$73,136	+22%
Ivy Tech Community College	$56,292	$64,893	+15%
Dunwoody College of Technology	$55,188	$61,261	+11%

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
North Dakota State College of ScienceWahpeton	$5,928	$51,647	$53,162	$11,246	0.22
Hennepin Technical CollegeBrooklyn Park	$5,881	$59,829	$73,136	—	—
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids	$13,630	$56,811	$77,380	$17,500	0.31
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis	$4,912	$56,292	$64,893	$6,810	0.12
Dunwoody College of TechnologyMinneapolis	$25,659	$55,188	$61,261	$12,000	0.22
Vincennes UniversityVincennes	$6,886	$54,908	$52,065	$12,000	0.22
National Median	—	$41,504	—	$12,000	0.29

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 North Dakota State College of Science, approximately 17% 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 22 graduates with reported earnings and 23 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.