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COLLEGE + DEGREE OUTCOMES

Precision Metal Working associate's degree at Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI · Public

What this page covers

Federal data group related majors at the same college and degree level. One record can include several named programs or concentrations.

The short version

Reported earnings are notably above similar programs.

$30,490 above the national median for the same field and degree level.

Debt as a share of earnings
20.1% of annual earnings
Highest price with a positive payoff
$164,705 / year
Modeled 10-year payoff
+291% · Strong payoff
Available price data
College-wide context only
PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

What stays fixed$86,941 observed annual earnings · 2 years of study · $45,000 alternative annual earnings · ten-year horizonThe marked price is this college’s institution-wide average net price, not the exact price of this program category. This is a sensitivity test, not a tuition quote or earnings forecast.
OUTCOME SIGNALS

Graduate outcomes from several angles.

Follow earnings over time and inspect the cohort behind each federal measure.

+46%Earnings growth, year 1 → 5$56,811 → $82,902
Not availableEarn above high-school thresholdGraduate count in the year-4 cohort
44Working in the college’s stateGraduate count in the year-4 cohort
64Year-5 earnings observationsCohort behind the year-5 median
75Borrowers representedCohort behind the debt median
Not availableAwarding-school debtDebt attributed to the college granting the credential
Not availableRecent awardsIPEDS 2024–25 first-major completions in this field and credential
NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM CONTEXT

Size, aid and an earnings floor.

The Department of Education’s 2026 informational preview adds current program participation and a preliminary earnings comparison. It does not make a final eligibility determination.

147Students receiving federal aid2024–25 Title IV enrollment
32Federal-aid completers2024–25 program completers
71Pell Grant recipients2024–25 program count
88Federal loan borrowers2024–25 unduplicated count
Preliminary federal earnings benchmark$32,989Informational preview, not a final accountability result
Observed year-4 earnings$86,941$53,952 above the preliminary benchmark

Additional borrowing reported for this category: 15 Parent PLUS borrowers.

Source: U.S. Department of Education PPD:2026 informational preview. Program categories use OPEID, four-digit field and credential level; federal-aid counts do not represent every enrolled student. Completion and employment measures use older cohorts shown above and are not combined into the payoff estimate.

01 · PRICE CONTEXT$8,624

Institution-wide annual average net price, not this program’s price.

02 · BORROWING$17,500

Median federal debt across schools attended at this academic level.

03 · EARNINGS$86,941

Observed median earnings four full years after completion.

04 · REPAYMENT$186/mo

Estimated standard 10-year federal payment.

ADDITIONAL WORKFORCE PROGRAM REPORTS

2 related offerings reported to the Department of Labor

These provider-reported records add named prices, completion and employment context where available. They describe a separate workforce-program cohort and may include non-degree training, so they are not blended into the College Scorecard earnings or DegreeVerdict ROI.

Associate in Applied Science - Welding Technology · CIP 48.0508

Welding Technology

Reported price
$30,000
Completion
46.0%
Employed in Q2
61.0%
Q2 quarterly earnings
$2,060
This program is provided in multiple formats: in-person instruction, online/e-learning/distance learning and a hybrid/blended program of in-person and online instruction.
Associate in Applied Science - Manufacturing Technology · CIP 48.0507

Manufacturing Technology

Reported price
$30,480
Completion
40.0%
Employed in Q2
54.0%
Q2 quarterly earnings
$2,971
This program is provided in multiple formats: in-person instruction, online/e-learning/distance learning and a hybrid/blended program of in-person and online instruction.
Program year 2022. Quarterly earnings are not annual salary. Suppressed values appear as “Not reported.” Source: U.S. Department of Labor TrainingProviderResults.gov. Showing 2 of 2 related records.
WHAT WILL IT COST?

Published college costs provide the starting point.

Your exact offering, aid, residency and time to finish determine the price you actually pay.

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AVERAGE NET PRICE$8,624Institution-wide annual figure
COST OF ATTENDANCE$27,048Institution-wide annual budget
ADMISSION RATE91.4%Institution context
COMPLETION RATE46.9%Institution-wide completion rate
WHAT DO GRADUATES EARN?

Reported earnings after completion.

Each point may represent a different federal cohort. A missing bar means the figure was unavailable or suppressed.

$56,811Year 1
$86,941Year 4
$82,902Year 5
CAN THE EARNINGS SUPPORT THE DEBT?

2.6% of gross monthly earnings

Estimated monthly payment divided by observed gross monthly earnings. This excludes taxes, other debts and income-driven repayment.

Gross monthly earnings$7,245
Estimated loan payment$186
75borrowers represented where reported
HOW DOES IT COMPARE?

$86,941 vs. $56,451

$30,490 above the national median for the same field and credential.

Same-field national median
WHAT WORK CAN IT LEAD TO?

Related occupations, wages and outlook.

Official CIP–SOC links show careers the curriculum may prepare students for, not observed jobs held by this school’s graduates. BLS wages describe everyone working in an occupation.

BLS May 2025 wage estimates and 2025–35 employment projections.
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other$40,110 median wageMI estimate · 530 jobs · 51-4199$37,910–$45,630 middle 50% of MI wages-7.1% projected U.S. growth · 1,300 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentLayout Workers, Metal and Plastic$61,550 median wageMI estimate · 160 jobs · 51-4192$52,110–$66,610 middle 50% of MI wages-3.4% projected U.S. growth · 500 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentMachinists$52,360 median wageMI estimate · 20,350 jobs · 51-4041$46,260–$62,300 middle 50% of MI wages+1.0% projected U.S. growth · 26,100 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentHeat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,560 median wageMI estimate · 1,190 jobs · 51-4191$47,270–$58,290 middle 50% of MI wages-9.5% projected U.S. growth · 1,100 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentStructural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$47,950 median wageMI estimate · 1,270 jobs · 51-2041$42,860–$60,220 middle 50% of MI wages-6.2% projected U.S. growth · 4,800 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentComputer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$47,250 median wageMI estimate · 7,330 jobs · 51-9161$39,710–$58,000 middle 50% of MI wages-9.4% projected U.S. growth · 12,500 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentCutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$46,120 median wageMI estimate · 22,060 jobs · 51-4031$38,580–$66,130 middle 50% of MI wages-10.5% projected U.S. growth · 13,200 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentMultiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,920 median wageMI estimate · 9,350 jobs · 51-4081$37,910–$61,320 middle 50% of MI wages+0.6% projected U.S. growth · 11,600 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentGrinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45,460 median wageMI estimate · 4,180 jobs · 51-4033$38,210–$56,160 middle 50% of MI wages-10.8% projected U.S. growth · 4,500 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentRolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$44,090 median wageMI estimate · 1,480 jobs · 51-4023$39,940–$58,510 middle 50% of MI wages-8.3% projected U.S. growth · 1,900 openings/yrTypical entry: High school diploma or equivalentTool and Die Makers$65,590 median wageMI estimate · 9,420 jobs · 51-4111$55,700–$80,590 middle 50% of MI wages-9.2% projected U.S. growth · 4,300 openings/yrTypical entry: Postsecondary nondegree awardComputer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$64,640 median wageMI estimate · 2,300 jobs · 51-9162$58,890–$76,720 middle 50% of MI wages+5.9% projected U.S. growth · 2,700 openings/yrTypical entry: Postsecondary nondegree award
Possible alternatives

Same degree, stronger on at least one reported measure.

Every option below reports higher earnings, lower federal debt or a lower college-wide net price. Same-state options appear first.

Grand Rapids, MI

Grand Rapids Community College

$3 lower annual net price

Earnings
$63,350
Debt
Not available
Annual net price
$8,621
View outcomes →
Indianapolis, IN

Ivy Tech Community College

$10,690 less debt · $1,366 lower annual net price

Earnings
$75,002
Debt
$6,810
Annual net price
$7,258
View outcomes →
Austin, TX

Austin Community College District

$3,378 less debt · $2,234 lower annual net price

Earnings
$69,185
Debt
$14,122
Annual net price
$6,390
View outcomes →
Albuquerque, NM

Central New Mexico Community College

$11,060 less debt · $4,003 lower annual net price

Earnings
$64,190
Debt
$6,440
Annual net price
$4,621
View outcomes →
Compare these programs →
DATA QUALITY

Check the evidence behind the estimate.

64 observations in the earnings cohort

June 10, 2026 College Scorecard release

Observed, estimated and contextual figures are labeled separately throughout this page

IS IT WORTH IT AT YOUR PRICE?

Your price and current earnings determine the result.

Add your grants, borrowing and current salary to estimate payment pressure, break-even time and ten-year payoff.

Calculate my payoff →