Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at South Georgia Technical College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$37,340

Est. from GA median (12 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$7,913

Est. from national median (94 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable precision metal working programs across Georgia, this certificate appears positioned in the middle of the pack—similar programs in the state suggest first-year earnings around $37,340, which sits below what graduates from North Georgia Tech or Coastal Pines typically earn but aligns with the state median. The estimated $7,900 in debt is actually lower than what peer programs usually carry, though it's worth noting that Georgia's technical colleges generally show a wide spread in both debt loads and outcomes for this field.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 suggests manageable repayment, with debt representing roughly three months of income. What's less encouraging is the four-year earnings figure of $36,236—slightly below first-year estimates—which could indicate limited wage growth in this field or regional market constraints in South Georgia. With over half the student body receiving Pell grants, affordability matters, and the relatively modest debt burden works in this program's favor compared to state peers who typically graduate with $10,500.

The challenge here is that you're making a decision with limited visibility into this specific program's track record. If hands-on manufacturing work appeals and keeping debt low is the priority, this certificate offers a plausible path. But the wage ceiling appears real, and students should consider whether nearby programs with stronger reported outcomes might justify slightly higher costs or relocation.

Where South Georgia Technical College Stands

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

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
South Georgia Technical College	—	$36,236	—
Gwinnett Technical College	$40,124	$48,312	+20%
North Georgia Technical College	$45,472	$45,977	+1%
Georgia Northwestern Technical College	$38,002	$42,450	+12%
Lanier Technical College	$28,890	$42,252	+46%

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (25 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
South Georgia Technical CollegeAmericus	$3,782	$37,340*	$36,236	$7,913*	—
North Georgia Technical CollegeClarkesville	$3,162	$45,472*	$45,977	—*	—
Coastal Pines Technical CollegeWaycross	$3,040	$43,040*	$41,494	—*	—
Savannah Technical CollegeSavannah	$3,072	$41,604*	$38,846	—*	—
Gwinnett Technical CollegeLawrenceville	$3,356	$40,124*	$48,312	—*	—
Oconee Fall Line Technical CollegeSandersville	$3,201	$38,673*	$34,017	—*	—
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 South Georgia Technical College, approximately 51% 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 12 similar programs in GA. Actual outcomes may vary.