Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Southwest Tennessee Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$34,739

Est. from TN median (24 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$7,913

Est. from national median (94 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across Tennessee suggest first-year earnings around $34,700, which puts Southwest Tennessee's precision metal working certificate in the middle of the pack—though notably below the state's top technical schools like TCAT-Jackson ($43,864) and TCAT-Murfreesboro ($42,688). The estimated $7,900 in debt is manageable, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.23, well below concerning thresholds. However, these figures come from peer programs statewide, not Southwest Tennessee's actual graduates, so there's inherent uncertainty about what this specific program delivers.

The practical reality is that precision metal working typically provides steady, working-class income in manufacturing and fabrication shops. Based on comparable Tennessee programs, graduates can expect earnings that cover basic living costs but won't provide substantial financial cushion in their first year. The advantage here is the low debt burden—borrowing under $8,000 means loan payments that won't overwhelm a $35,000 salary. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves a population seeking practical, accessible training.

For parents weighing this investment, the debt picture looks reasonable, but the earnings gap compared to Tennessee's stronger technical colleges is worth investigating. Before committing, find out why this program's outcomes aren't publicly reported and whether graduates are actually landing jobs at similar rates to programs at TCAT-Jackson or Chattanooga State. The low debt makes this a limited-risk proposition, but you want confirmation that it leads somewhere.

Where Southwest Tennessee Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Tennessee

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Tennessee (30 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Southwest Tennessee Community CollegeMemphis	$4,550	$34,739*	—	$7,913*	—
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-JacksonJackson	—	$43,864*	$41,465	—*	—
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-MurfreesboroMurfreesboro	—	$42,688*	—	—*	—
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-ShelbyvilleShelbyville	—	$40,605*	$46,721	—*	—
Chattanooga State Community CollegeChattanooga	$4,550	$39,664*	$38,759	$4,611*	0.12
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-KnoxvilleKnoxville	—	$39,054*	$43,143	—*	—
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 Southwest Tennessee Community College, approximately 42% 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 24 similar programs in TN. Actual outcomes may vary.