WhatGradsMake
Certificate (under 1 year)+5% vs national median298 grads tracked

Precision Metal Working at Rend Lake College

Ranked 49th of 150 certificate (under 1 year) programs in Precision Metal Working by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$41,326
middle 50%: $29,189 – $57,688
Median · 5 years out
$56,140
middle 50%: $39,967 – $81,527
Median · 10 years out
$61,446
middle 50%: $47,705 – $88,155

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Metal Working (certificate (under 1 year)) graduates.

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

Graduates of Rend Lake College's certificate (under 1 year) program in Precision Metal Working earn a median $41,326 one year after graduating, rising to $61,446 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 5% above the national median of $53,655 for this field, ranking 49th of 150 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
7.5 yrs
≈ $8,509 total interest

Same major at other universities

Other majors at Rend Lake College

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