Precision Metal Working at Western Dakota Technical College

Western Dakota Technical College's precision metal working program launches graduates into strong immediate earnings at $44,614—substantially above the national median of $36,248 and ranking in the 92nd percentile nationally. With debt under $10,000, the upfront investment looks reasonable. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers may not be representative, and South Dakota has only three schools offering this program, limiting meaningful state-level comparisons.

The concerning element is the earnings trajectory: graduates see an 18% decline to $36,414 by year four. This backward slide could reflect industry volatility in the region, graduates moving into different roles, or simply noise from the limited data. It's worth investigating whether this drop is typical for metal working careers in South Dakota or specific to this program's outcomes.

For a family comfortable with the debt load and focused on immediate employment, this program delivers solid starting pay with minimal borrowing. But the earnings decline raises questions about long-term career progression. Given the data limitations, talk directly with program administrators about job placement patterns and whether recent graduates are staying in the field—their insights will matter more than these unstable statistics.