Precision Metal Working at Somerset Community College

Somerset Community College's precision metal working certificate delivers solid earnings at $41,415—well above the $36,248 national median—but falls short of what other Kentucky programs achieve. While this ranks in the 80th percentile nationally, it's only the 40th percentile within Kentucky, where the state median is $41,824 and top programs like Southcentral Kentucky and Elizabethtown push past $53,000. That geographic gap matters if your child has multiple in-state options.

The financial mechanics work in your favor: $8,439 in debt against first-year earnings creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.20, meaning graduates earn back their debt roughly five times over in the first year. That's manageable by any standard, and the certificate format keeps both time investment and debt minimal. Nearly half of students here receive Pell grants, suggesting the program serves working-class families effectively.

The catch is sample size—fewer than 30 graduates means these numbers could swing significantly year to year. If Somerset is your local community college and commuting distance matters, the convenience might outweigh the earnings difference. But if you're willing to travel within Kentucky for training, programs like Southcentar Kentucky's, earning $58,996, offer substantially better returns for similar or lower debt. The program works, but Kentucky has stronger options.