Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degree) at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology

Median Earnings (1yr)

$52,298

95th percentile

80th percentile in Pennsylvania

Median Debt

$12,000

At national median

Analysis

Thaddeus Stevens delivers exceptional returns for precision metal working graduates—with first-year earnings of $52,298, this program outperforms 95% of similar programs nationally and sits comfortably in Pennsylvania's top tier. Among the 22 precision metal working programs in PA, only Pennsylvania College of Technology produces slightly higher earnings, while Stevens beats the state median by nearly $12,000 annually. That earnings advantage means an extra $48,000 over four years compared to the typical Pennsylvania graduate in this field.

The $12,000 debt load represents just 23% of first-year earnings, creating a manageable payback scenario even on a machinist's salary. While debt sits at the national median, the superior earnings make this a better deal than the numbers suggest at first glance. The 5% earnings growth from year one to year four is modest but positive—not everyone will see dramatic salary jumps in precision manufacturing, though experienced machinists can move into supervisory roles or specialize in high-demand areas like CNC programming.

For families concerned about ROI on a two-year degree, this program offers a clear path: low debt, immediate earning power that significantly exceeds most competitors, and skills that remain in demand. Stevens' focus on technical education and strong industry connections in Pennsylvania's manufacturing corridor translate to real marketplace advantages for graduates.

Where Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology 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
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology	$52,298	$54,954	+5%
Pennsylvania College of Technology	$50,402	$55,060	+9%
Pittsburgh Technical College	$39,573	$50,258	+27%
Triangle Tech Inc-Greensburg	$40,225	$45,784	+14%
Triangle Tech Inc-Bethlehem	$40,225	$45,784	+14%

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Precision Metal Working associates's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (22 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyLancaster	$9,050	$52,298	$54,954	$12,000	0.23
Pennsylvania College of TechnologyWilliamsport	$17,940	$50,402	$55,060	$14,750	0.29
New Castle School of TradesNew Castle	—	$43,671	$43,303	$9,931	0.23
Triangle Tech Inc-BethlehemBethlehem	$18,593	$40,225	$45,784	$18,262	0.45
Triangle Tech Inc-GreensburgGreensburg	$18,513	$40,225	$45,784	$18,262	0.45
Pittsburgh Technical CollegeOakdale	$18,980	$39,573	$50,258	$14,499	0.37
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 Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, approximately 41% 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 85 graduates with reported earnings and 71 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.