Precision Metal Working at Washburn University

Washburn's precision metalworking certificate leads Kansas programs in first-year earnings at $39,720—outpacing both the state median by $3,200 and placing in the 73rd percentile nationally. The $6,642 in typical debt is reasonable for a technical certificate, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.17. That means graduates earn nearly six times their debt in their first year alone, a strong immediate return that matters for students entering the trades directly from this program.

The downside appears four years out, when median earnings slip to $35,996—a 9% decline that's unusual in technical fields where experience typically boosts wages. This could reflect graduates moving into different roles, changing employers, or other labor market factors specific to Kansas manufacturing. However, even at the lower four-year mark, graduates still earn above the national median for this field and maintain manageable debt levels.

For families looking at trade certificates, this program offers Kansas's strongest starting position in precision metalworking with minimal financial risk. The earnings decline warrants attention, but the low debt means graduates aren't locked into chasing higher wages to service loans—they have flexibility to prioritize other factors like job satisfaction or location as their careers develop.