Precision Metal Working at Ridgewater College
a smaller institution with 2,048 students in Willmar, MN.
Program Analysis
At $44,421 per year, Precision Metal Working graduates from Ridgewater College earn slightly above the $36,869 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
The 93.6x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 13% task exposure — and the 25% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Precision Metal Working graduates.
The median debt load of $9,750 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.
Ranked #46 out of 355 programs, Ridgewater College's Precision Metal Working program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $44,421 to $58,734 shows 32% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
With 131 registered apprenticeships mapped to Precision Metal Working, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
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.