Precision Metal Working at Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College's Precision Metal Working certificate punches well above its weight class nationally—scoring in the 83rd percentile for earnings—while keeping debt exceptionally low at just $5,500. That debt burden is roughly 40% below Wisconsin's already-modest state median, meaning graduates finish with minimal financial obligation and can immediately benefit from their $42,282 starting salary.

The program sits in the middle of Wisconsin's competitive metalworking landscape, which makes sense given the state's strong manufacturing base. While it doesn't match the $48,000+ earnings seen at Chippewa Valley or Lakeshore, it significantly outperforms the national median of $36,248. The slight earnings dip to $39,745 by year four likely reflects normal industry volatility rather than credential problems—metalworking wages fluctuate with manufacturing cycles. With such minimal debt, graduates have flexibility to weather those swings or pivot within the skilled trades.

For parents worried about taking on five-figure debt for training programs, this offers a compelling alternative. Your child can enter Wisconsin's manufacturing sector with marketable skills and barely any loan burden. The tradeoff is that top Wisconsin programs deliver 20-25% higher earnings, but those extra dollars may not offset the peace of mind that comes from owing virtually nothing at graduation.