Precision Metal Working at Colorado Mesa University
CO · Associate's Degree · CIP 48.05
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Precision Metal Working degree from Colorado Mesa University earn a median salary of $51,556 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in CO, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $49,054. The degree typically pays for itself in 10.4 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$37,958
Typical Career
$51,556
Top Performers
$71,002
Estimated break-even: 10.4 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$344
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $4,296. Most students can comfortably afford about a $344 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.3x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.7x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Colorado buys what costs $1.05 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Health Care & Social Assistance, Public Administration, Accommodation & Food Services.
Where Associate's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$49,054
Nominal: $51,556 in Colorado (COL 105.1% of national avg) · 4.9% lower purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $29,981 | $43,047 | $56,877 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $37,958 | $51,556 | $71,002 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $47,119 | $64,280 | $88,097 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $51,556 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in CO, which has a cost-of-living index of 105.1% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $51,556 × (1.0 ÷ 1.0510)
= $49,054 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The majority of graduates enter the Health Care & Social Assistance sector, with 38.8% in their first year, 37.1% by the fifth year, and 24.4% by the tenth year. This concentration suggests a strong demand for skills in this field, potentially enhancing job stability and career growth. Considering the estimated break-even point of approximately 9.6 years compared to a high-school-only path, the return on investment for pursuing a degree in Precision Metal Working appears favorable, particularly for those committed to entering the health care industry.
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Other Degrees at Colorado Mesa University
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.