Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at SUNY Corning Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$40,155

Est. from NY median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$11,562

Est. from national median (20 programs)

Analysis

Similar precision metal working programs in New York typically produce first-year earnings around $40,000, which puts this associate's degree roughly in line with both state and national benchmarks for the field. The estimated $11,562 in debt—derived from comparable community college programs—translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.29, meaning graduates would owe about three and a half months of their first year's salary. That's manageable by most standards, especially for a two-year credential that gets students into the workforce quickly.

The challenge here is that precision metal working doesn't command dramatically higher wages at top programs. Even SUNY Alfred, the highest earner among New York schools with reported data, shows graduates making just $42,739—only about $2,500 more than what peer programs suggest for Corning. This is a field where earnings cluster tightly, which means the credential matters more than the specific school. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (17%) suggests this may attract students with existing industry connections or financial stability, which could matter for securing apprenticeships or shop positions.

For parents, the estimated numbers point to reasonable economics: low debt for a technical skill that leads directly to employment. But recognize you're making this decision with limited certainty about Corning's specific track record. If your student is mechanically inclined and wants to avoid both the time and cost of a four-year degree, the fundamentals look sound—just verify the program has active employer partnerships in the region.

Where SUNY Corning Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in New York

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at peer institutions in New York (10 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
SUNY Corning Community CollegeCorning	$5,966	$40,155*	—	$11,562*	—
SUNY College of Technology at AlfredAlfred	$8,862	$42,739*	$48,923	$12,000*	0.28
Monroe Community CollegeRochester	$5,856	$40,155*	$41,092	—*	—
SUNY College of Technology at DelhiDelhi	$8,710	$39,059*	—	$12,000*	0.31
National Median	—	$41,504*	—	$12,000*	0.29

* 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 SUNY Corning Community College, approximately 17% 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 3 similar programs in NY. Actual outcomes may vary.