Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at Ohio Technical College

Analysis

Ohio Technical College's precision metal working program delivers exactly what you'd expect: solid skilled trades training at a reasonable price. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.20 is excellent—your child would graduate owing less than three months' salary, far below the national median debt of $12,000 for this field. That manageable debt load matters tremendously for someone entering a hands-on trade where earnings growth depends more on experience and specialization than credential stacking.

The earnings picture is more nuanced. At $38,861 first year out, graduates land right at Ohio's median for this program—essentially the middle of the pack statewide. However, this trails the national median by about $2,600. Precision metal working typically pays better in states with stronger manufacturing sectors or higher costs of living, which explains why Ohio programs cluster below the national average. Within Ohio's metalworking landscape, this program performs adequately but not exceptionally.

For a parent, this represents a straightforward calculation: low debt, steady entry into manufacturing work, but not top-tier earnings potential. If your child is drawn to metalworking and wants to stay in Ohio, the minimal debt exposure makes this a safe bet. The real earnings growth will come from what they do after graduation—certifications, specializations, and moving into CNC programming or quality control roles where experienced metalworkers can command significantly more.

Where Ohio Technical College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Ohio Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

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
Ohio Technical CollegeCleveland	—	$38,861	—	$7,667	0.20
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 Ohio Technical College, approximately 48% 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.