Precision Metal Working at Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

Stautzenberger's precision metal working program sits right at Illinois's median for earnings ($30,807 versus $31,661 statewide), but that's actually concerning when you see what other schools deliver. Several community colleges and technical institutes in Illinois consistently place graduates $6,000-8,000 higher within the first year. While the debt load is admirably low at $13,000—better than most competitors—the earnings gap means you're still looking at nearly six months of gross pay just to cover educational costs.

The 40th percentile ranking among Illinois programs tells the real story: this is a below-average outcome in a state with 47 options. With 72% of students receiving Pell grants, many families here are making significant financial sacrifices for training that delivers bottom-quartile results nationally. Lincoln College of Technology in Melrose Park and even several community colleges place graduates earning $7,000-9,000 more annually, which compounds dramatically over a career in the trades.

If your child is set on this field in the Rockford area, the low debt makes this survivable—but not optimal. You're essentially paying for geographic convenience rather than outcomes. Community colleges with strong manufacturing partnerships would likely deliver better ROI, even if it means a longer commute during training.