Precision Metal Working at Southwestern Illinois College
serving 5,280 students in Belleville, IL.
Program Analysis
At $31,692/yr, Precision Metal Working graduates from Southwestern Illinois College land near the $36,869 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
With a 111.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
Career paths for Precision Metal Working carry above-average AI exposure (13% of tasks). The 31% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.
The median debt load of $5,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
A #112 ranking among 355 Precision Metal Working programs places Southwestern Illinois College in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
A 41% earnings increase from $31,692 to $44,590 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
The 131 apprenticeship pathways connected to Precision Metal Working reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Precision Metal Working graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer numerically controlled tool programmers | $65,670 | +12.8% | 20% |
| Tool and die makers | $63,180 | -10.8% | 81% |
| Model makers, metal and plastic | $62,700 | -18.2% | 84% |
About Precision Metal Working Careers
You’ll begin your career with your hands on the tools of the trade. As a welder, you could be fusing steel beams high on a construction site or meticulously joining pipes for critical infrastructure. As a machinist, you might work from complex blueprints, operating lathes and mills to craft high-tolerance parts for the aerospace or medical industries. Most paths start with an apprenticeship, learning directly from seasoned professionals on the job.