Precision Metal Working at Western Technical College

The $5,500 in typical debt here is remarkably low—putting Western Technical in the 90th percentile nationally for affordability—but the earnings tell a more complicated Wisconsin story. While graduates earn well above the national median for precision metal working programs ($40,624 vs. $36,248 nationally), they land below the state median of $41,852. Within Wisconsin's technical college system, this program ranks in the bottom half, with nearby competitors like Fox Valley Technical and Chippewa Valley Technical delivering starting salaries $8,000-$13,000 higher.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.14 means graduates owe just 1.7 months of salary—an extremely manageable burden that gets easier as earnings grow to $46,000 by year four. For students who specifically need Western Technical's location or schedule, the low debt makes this a reasonable path into skilled manufacturing work. But Wisconsin families should recognize that stronger-performing precision metal working programs exist at other state technical colleges, often with similarly affordable tuition structures.

Keep in mind the small graduate sample size means individual circumstances heavily influence these numbers. For a student committed to staying in the La Crosse area where Western Technical operates, the minimal debt and steady career trajectory outweigh the earnings gap. Families with flexibility on location should compare financial aid packages across Wisconsin's technical colleges.