Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Northshore Technical Community College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$25,818

10th percentile

60th percentile in Louisiana

Median Debt

$10,500

17% above national median

Analysis

At first glance, $25,818 in first-year earnings might seem alarming for a metalworking credential—it ranks in just the 10th percentile nationally. But Louisiana's industrial landscape tells a different story. This program actually outperforms most in-state alternatives, landing in the 60th percentile among Louisiana metalworking programs. Only Delgado Community College shows significantly higher earnings at $32,636, while Northshore's outcomes exceed several competitors. The state's lower wage environment means graduates here start close to Louisiana's median of $25,603, not an institutional failure but a regional reality.

The manageable $10,500 in debt keeps this program viable despite modest earnings. That 0.41 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates owe roughly five months of income—uncomfortable but not crushing. For students planning to stay in Louisiana and seeking quick entry into manufacturing, this delivers what it promises without burying them in debt. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) adds confidence these numbers reflect real outcomes, not statistical noise.

The question is whether your child should settle for Louisiana wages or aim for stronger metalworking markets. If staying near home matters and they want immediate employment over pursuing a longer technical degree, Northshore works. But if they're willing to relocate to states with stronger manufacturing wages or consider a two-year program, those first-year earnings could potentially start $10,000+ higher. For Louisiana-bound students prioritizing low debt over maximum earnings, this gets them working quickly without financial disaster.

Where Northshore Technical Community College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Northshore Technical Community College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Louisiana

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Louisiana (14 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Northshore Technical Community CollegeLacombe	$4,203	$25,818	—	$10,500	0.41
Delgado Community CollegeNew Orleans	$4,678	$32,636	—	$18,137	0.56
Louisiana Delta Community CollegeMonroe	$4,159	$26,069	$28,362	$7,916	0.30
Compass Career CollegeHammond	—	$25,735	—	$7,790	0.30
South Louisiana Community CollegeLafayette	$4,210	$25,471	$38,573	$6,125	0.24
Baton Rouge Community CollegeBaton Rouge	$4,221	$24,025	$40,804	$13,000	0.54
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 Northshore Technical Community College, approximately 22% 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 40 graduates with reported earnings and 31 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.