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NON-CREDENTIAL PROGRAM (PREPARATORY COURSEWORK/TEACHER CERTIFICATION) · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 4805

Precision Metal Working: is this non-credential program (preparatory coursework/teacher certification) worth it?

National picture across 2 reporting college programs.

Personal baseline needed

$61,829 in median year-4 earnings

A credible return for this credential must start with what the student would otherwise earn. The federal data does not provide that personal baseline.

$61,829Median year-4 earnings

$6,799Average institution net-price context

Not availableMedian federal debt

Use your actual price and alternative earnings before evaluating return. Model your own starting point →

WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$61,829Median reported earnings · year 4

Not availableAverage reported earnings · year 5

Not availableMedian federal debt

61thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential

2Reporting programs

2With year-4 earnings

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings: $47,927
Federal debt: $9,329
Reporting programs: 398

385 report earnings →OPEN PROFILE

Associate's Degree

Year-4 earnings: $56,479
Federal debt: $12,000
Reporting programs: 74

74 report earnings →CURRENT VIEW

Non-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)

Year-4 earnings: $61,829
Federal debt: Not available
Reporting programs: 2

2 report earnings →

COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median

25th percentile$57,251National median$61,82975th percentile$57,251

2 programs report year‑4 earnings.

WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1Central Virginia Community College$66,407 2Danville Community College$57,251

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

WHERE THIS FIELD CAN LEAD

Related occupations

Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.

Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All OtherSOC 51-4199 · 3 crosswalk linksComputer Numerically Controlled Tool OperatorsSOC 51-9161 · 2 crosswalk linksCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4031 · 2 crosswalk linksGrinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4033 · 2 crosswalk linksHeat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4191 · 2 crosswalk linksLayout Workers, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4192 · 2 crosswalk linksMachinistsSOC 51-4041 · 2 crosswalk linksMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4081 · 2 crosswalk linksRolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4023 · 2 crosswalk linksStructural Metal Fabricators and FittersSOC 51-2041 · 2 crosswalk linksComputer Numerically Controlled Tool ProgrammersSOC 51-9162 · 1 crosswalk linksDrilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticSOC 51-4032 · 1 crosswalk links

BEST COLLEGES FOR PRECISION METAL WORKING

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. Automated ROI is withheld when an exact program price or personal earnings baseline is required.

#	College	Location	Earnings, year 4	Federal debt	ROI status	Cost context
1	Central Virginia Community CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)	Lynchburg, VA	$66,407	Not available	Baseline needed	$6,928
2	Danville Community CollegeNon-Credential Program (Preparatory Coursework/Teacher Certification)	Danville, VA	$57,251	Not available	Baseline needed	$6,669

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.