Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at Texas State Technical College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$39,234

31st percentile

60th percentile in Texas

Median Debt

$9,168

24% below national median

Analysis

Texas State Technical College's precision metal working program proves that sticker price isn't everything—graduates here carry just $9,168 in debt while reaching nearly $50,000 in earnings by year four. That's $3,000 less debt than the national median for this field, and earnings that climb 26% over four years, outpacing the typical flat trajectory in skilled trades. While starting pay ($39,234) sits below the national median, this program ranks solidly in the 60th percentile among Texas competitors, beating schools like Trinity Valley and South Texas College.

The strong earnings growth sets this program apart. Four years out, graduates are earning more than the national median for precision metal workers, suggesting they're developing skills that translate into real advancement opportunities. The debt load is particularly manageable—taking home $39,234 in year one with under $10,000 in debt means this investment pays back quickly.

For families watching every dollar, this program delivers tangible upside: low debt, steady earnings growth, and outcomes that beat most Texas alternatives. The 45% Pell grant rate indicates this school serves working-class students well, making it a practical choice for students seeking stable manufacturing careers without gambling on heavy debt loads.

Where Texas State Technical College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Texas State Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Texas State Technical College	$39,234	$49,323	+26%
Ferris State University	$56,811	$77,380	+36%
Austin Community College District	$45,279	$48,510	+7%
Trinity Valley Community College	$35,123	$45,541	+30%
Vernon College	$32,206	$37,399	+16%

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at peer institutions in Texas (41 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Texas State Technical CollegeWaco	$7,192	$39,234	$49,323	$9,168	0.23
Austin Community College DistrictAustin	$2,550	$45,279	$48,510	$14,122	0.31
Trinity Valley Community CollegeAthens	$2,640	$35,123	$45,541	—	—
South Texas CollegeMcAllen	$4,920	$33,167	—	—	—
Vernon CollegeVernon	$4,080	$32,206	$37,399	$5,500	0.17
National Median	—	$41,504	—	$12,000	0.29

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 Texas State Technical College, approximately 45% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 192 graduates with reported earnings and 155 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.