Precision Metal Working at Western Technical College

Western Technical College's precision metal working certificate comes with an unusual tradeoff: remarkably low debt paired with earnings that lag substantially behind both state and national standards. While graduates carry just $17,372 in debt—less than 95% of similar programs nationally—first-year earnings of $29,371 fall short of Texas's $30,105 median and trail the national benchmark by nearly $7,000. Within Texas, this program sits at the 40th percentile, meaning 60% of comparable programs deliver better outcomes. Top performers like Amarillo College produce earnings 64% higher.

The silver lining is consistent earnings growth—graduates see a 14% increase to $33,371 by year four—and manageable debt service, with the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 remaining workable. For students who can limit borrowing or attend without taking on the full debt load, the program becomes more defensible. But El Paso's lower cost of living only partially offsets the earnings gap, and families should recognize they're looking at below-median performance for a technical credential that typically delivers stronger returns.

If your child can gain admission to one of the stronger Texas programs, the earnings difference could mean $10,000-18,000 more annually right from the start. That gap matters enormously for someone entering the workforce with debt to repay and rent to cover.