Location: Lucasville, OH
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$38,713
Est. from OH median (14 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$6,203
Est. from OH median (4 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable metal working programs in Ohio, this certificate appears well-positioned on the debt side but faces significant earnings headwinds. The estimated $6,203 in debt sits considerably below both the state median of $9,500 and the national median of $9,000, suggesting Scioto County Career Technical Center keeps costs controlled for students—an important factor given that 68% receive Pell grants.

The earnings picture is more complicated. Similar programs across Ohio suggest first-year pay around $38,713, which would put graduates near the state median but roughly $7,000 behind top performers like Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. That gap matters because metal working is a field where strong programs demonstrably deliver higher wages. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.16 looks manageable on paper, but it assumes graduates achieve that state-typical earnings level—something not guaranteed given the lack of actual outcomes data from this specific program.

For an anxious parent, the question is whether this program can deliver the state-typical results these estimates assume. The controlled debt is genuine value, but without knowing how Scioto County's actual graduates perform, you're essentially betting that this program matches the state average rather than falling toward the lower end. If your student has options at proven programs like Great Oaks or Butler Technology, those track records carry less uncertainty—even if initial costs run slightly higher.

Where Scioto County Career Technical Center Stands

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

Scioto County Career Technical Center (estimated ±10%)Other precision metal working programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Ohio

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Ohio (61 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Scioto County Career Technical CenterLucasville—$38,713*—$6,203*—
Hobart Institute of Welding TechnologyTroy—$45,370*$47,472$5,500*0.12
Butler Technology and Career Development SchoolsMonroe—$42,625*—$6,327*0.15
Great Oaks Career CampusesCincinnati—$41,277*$38,354$6,078*0.15
Fortis College-Cuyahoga FallsCuyahoga Falls$14,050$39,990*$35,129—*—
Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical SchoolsGroveport—$39,328*$44,145$6,485*0.16
National Median—$36,248*—$9,000*0.25
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Scioto County Career Technical Center, approximately 68% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 14 similar programs in OH. Actual outcomes may vary.