Best colleges for Precision Metal Working
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top colleges for Precision Metal Working by graduate earnings are Idaho State University ($64,581), Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College ($58,996) and Ferris State University ($56,811), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Idaho State University (Pocatello, ID): $64,581, 54 graduates a year
- Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (Bowling Green, KY): $58,996, 448 graduates a year
- Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI): $56,811, 73 graduates a year
- Vincennes University (Vincennes, IN): $54,908, 75 graduates a year
- Fox Valley Technical College (Appleton, WI): $53,507, 278 graduates a year
Compare 969 U.S. colleges offering Precision Metal Working by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Precision Metal Working programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,030 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 48.05 and the Sheet Metal Workers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Precision Metal Working programs
The Precision Metal Working program focuses on the skills and techniques needed for various metalworking occupations. This program is ideal for students interested in hands-on work involving machinery, fabrication, and assembly of metal components across different industries. Students will gain practical experience and knowledge applicable to a range of specializations within the field of precision production. Participants in this program can expect to engage in diverse tasks, including welding, machining, and sheet metal fabrication. This hands-on training prepares graduates for a dynamic career path in the metalworking sector, where they can apply their skills in real-world settings and contribute to various projects and industries.
In the Precision Metal Working program, students will learn essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics. Coursework covers mechanical knowledge, building and construction principles, and design, equipping students with the necessary tools to succeed in metalworking professions.
Top 25 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Idaho State University Pocatello, ID Public · Certificate | $64,581 | 54 | 39% | — | $9,000 |
| 2 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College Bowling Green, KY Public · Certificate | $58,996 | 448 | 58% | — | $9,413 |
| 3 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Associate degree | $56,811 | 73 | 47% | — | $17,500 |
| 4 | Vincennes University Vincennes, IN Public · Associate degree | $54,908 | 75 | 39% | — | $12,000 |
| 5 | Fox Valley Technical College Appleton, WI Public · Certificate | $53,507 | 278 | 65% | — | $7,664 |
| 6 | Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Elizabethtown, KY Public · Certificate | $53,172 | 425 | 59% | — | $7,166 |
| 7 | White Mountains Community College Berlin, NH Public · Certificate | $53,066 | 32 | 62% | — | $9,625 |
| 8 | Hennepin Technical College Brooklyn Park, MN Public · Certificate | $52,456 | 96 | 42% | — | $9,329 |
| 9 | Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology Lancaster, PA Public · Associate degree | $52,298 | 91 | 71% | — | $12,000 |
| 10 | North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, ND Public · Associate degree | $51,647 | 46 | 55% | — | $11,246 |
| 11 | Alexandria Technical & Community College Alexandria, MN Public · Certificate | $51,141 | 71 | 60% | — | $9,500 |
| 12 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MN Public · Certificate | $50,842 | 60 | 40% | — | $9,928 |
| 13 | Dakota County Technical College Rosemount, MN Public · Certificate | $50,464 | 45 | 58% | — | $5,500 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Associate degree | $50,402 | 89 | 53% | — | $14,750 |
| 15 | York Technical College Rock Hill, SC Public · Certificate | $50,309 | 86 | 30% | — | $11,250 |
| 16 | St Cloud Technical and Community College Saint Cloud, MN Public · Certificate | $49,636 | 30 | 45% | — | $9,500 |
| 17 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MN Public · Certificate | $49,632 | 226 | 66% | — | $8,692 |
| 18 | Minnesota State College Southeast Winona, MN Public · Certificate | $49,342 | 36 | 47% | — | $12,500 |
| 19 | Southeast Community College Area Lincoln, NE Public · Associate degree | $49,114 | 279 | 38% | — | $11,650 |
| 20 | Chippewa Valley Technical College Eau Claire, WI Public · Certificate | $48,638 | 160 | 50% | — | $8,109 |
| 21 | Lakeshore Technical College Cleveland, WI Public · Certificate | $48,619 | 61 | 50% | — | — |
| 22 | Amarillo College Amarillo, TX Public · Certificate | $48,263 | 69 | 32% | — | — |
| 23 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IA Public · Associate degree | $48,114 | 84 | 43% | — | $13,500 |
| 24 | Northcentral Technical College Wausau, WI Public · Certificate | $47,718 | 120 | 45% | — | $5,250 |
| 25 | Aims Community College Greeley, CO Public · Certificate | $47,680 | 292 | 40% | — | — |
Specializations within Precision Metal Working
9 of the 9 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 48.05 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Welding Technology/CIP 48.0508
Welder 64,198 graduates / yr911 institutions49 states - Machine Tool Technology/CIP 48.0501
Machinist 3,489 graduates / yr228 institutions40 states - Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machinist Technology/CIP 48.0510
CNC Machinist 2,248 graduates / yr166 institutions36 states - Machine Shop Technology/CIP 48.0503
Assistant 1,542 graduates / yr87 institutions25 states - Metal FabricatorCIP 48.0511588 graduates / yr24 institutions13 states
- Tool and Die Technology/CIP 48.0507
Technician 423 graduates / yr35 institutions16 states - Sheet Metal Technology/CIP 48.0506
Sheetworking 415 graduates / yr18 institutions13 states - Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.0599296 graduates / yr16 institutions7 states
- Ironworking/CIP 48.0509
Ironworker limited data102 graduates / yr2 institutions2 states
Offered across 50 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2211, Sheet Metal Workers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Precision Metal Working program can pursue careers in various fields, including welding, machining, and metal fabrication. The job outlook for this sector is about as fast as average, with an estimated 10,600 annual openings and a median wage of $60,850. A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Precision Metal Working
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 48.05.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 48.05 (Precision Metal Working) maps to 24 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 47-2211 | Sheet Metal Workersprimary |
| 51-2041 | Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters |
| 51-4021 | Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4022 | Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4023 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4031 | Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4032 | Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4033 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4034 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4035 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4041 | Machinists |
| 51-4061 | Model Makers, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4062 | Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4071 | Foundry Mold and Coremakers |
| 51-4081 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4111 | Tool and Die Makers |
| 51-4121 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers |
| 51-4122 | Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders |
| 51-4191 | Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4192 | Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic |
| 51-4194 | Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners |
| 51-4199 | Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other |
| 51-9161 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators |
| 51-9162 | Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Precision Metal Working programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Maintain equipment, making repairs or modifications when necessary.
- Fabricate ducts for high efficiency heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to maximize efficiency of systems.
- Fasten seams or joints together with welds, bolts, cement, rivets, solder, caulks, metal drive clips, or bonds to assemble components into products or to repair sheet metal items.
- Transport prefabricated parts to construction sites for assembly and installation.
- Install assemblies, such as flashing, pipes, tubes, heating and air conditioning ducts, furnace casings, rain gutters, or downspouts in supportive frameworks.
- Hire, train, or supervise new employees or apprentices.
Common questions
What specializations are available in this program?+
Specializations include Machine Tool Technology, Welding Technology, CNC Machinist Technology, and more.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and active learning, among others.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with 10,600 annual openings.
What level of education is required for entry-level positions?+
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required.
How much do Precision Metal Working graduates earn?+
Precision Metal Working graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $37,030, College Scorecard (2019); the Sheet Metal Workers occupation pays about $67,850 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Precision Metal Working?+
Precision Metal Working maps to CIP 48.05 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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