Location: Dickson, TN
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's technical college system suggest first-year earnings around $35,000 for precision metalworking certificates—a figure that falls below what graduates from the state's top programs reportedly achieve. Tennessee College of Applied Technology locations in Jackson, Murfreesboro, and Shelbyville all report outcomes between $40,000 and $44,000 for their precision metalworking graduates, raising questions about whether this Dickson location can match their results or if local industry demand creates a meaningful gap.

The estimated debt load of roughly $8,000 creates a manageable 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio, assuming the earnings estimates hold true. That's less than three months of gross income, which puts borrowers in relatively safe territory for a technical certificate. Still, comparable programs statewide typically carry median debt closer to $9,400, so if actual borrowing at Dickson runs higher than estimated, the financial picture tightens quickly—especially if earnings come in at the lower end of what peer programs produce.

The real risk here is uncertainty stacked on uncertainty: estimated earnings based on state averages, estimated debt from national patterns, and no way to verify whether Dickson's specific program matches the performance of stronger Tennessee schools or merely fills out the middle of the pack. If your child can get similar training at one of Tennessee's higher-performing technical colleges with reported outcomes above $40,000, that documented track record is worth the comparison shopping.

Where Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson Stands

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

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson (estimated ±10%)Other precision metal working programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Tennessee College of Applied Technology-DicksonDickson—$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 Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Dickson, approximately 40% 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.