WhatGradsMake
Certificate (1-2 years)+101% vs national median63 grads tracked

Precision Production at Prairie State College

Ranked 1st of 123 certificate (1-2 years) programs in Precision Production by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$110,938
middle 50%: $46,948 – $136,580
Median · 5 years out
$111,686
middle 50%: $80,415 – $142,174
Median · 10 years out
$146,626
middle 50%: $100,994 – $186,860

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Production (certificate (1-2 years)) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Prairie State College's certificate (1-2 years) program in Precision Production earn a median $110,938 one year after graduating, rising to $146,626 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 101% above the national median of $55,464 for this field, ranking 1st of 123 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
3 yrs
≈ $3,079 total interest

Same major at other universities

Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana - Region 1
$99,319 · 5 yrs out
Central Virginia Community College
$82,447 · 5 yrs out
Texas State Technical College
$77,691 · 5 yrs out
Rock Valley College
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana- Region 3
$73,958 · 5 yrs out
Cuyahoga Community College
$73,075 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Prairie State College

Fire Protection (Associate)
$121,802 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$104,958 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$94,389 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Associate)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Associate)
$90,181 · 5 yrs out
Construction Trades (Certificate)
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers (Certificate)
$89,458 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$83,557 · 5 yrs out
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate)
$80,210 · 5 yrs out
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Certificate)
$76,015 · 5 yrs out
Health Professions and Related Programs (Associate)
$74,448 · 5 yrs out

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