WhatGradsMake
Associate-14% vs national median200 grads tracked

Precision Production at Western Dakota Technical College

Ranked 90th of 107 associate programs in Precision Production by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$44,149
middle 50%: $32,492 – $54,185
Median · 5 years out
$52,793
middle 50%: $40,146 – $66,665
Median · 10 years out
$67,570
middle 50%: $56,170 – $88,123

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Precision Production (associate) graduates.

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

Graduates of Western Dakota Technical College's associate program in Precision Production earn a median $44,149 one year after graduating, rising to $67,570 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 14% below the national median of $61,545 for this field, ranking 90th of 107 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
≈ $8,444 total interest

Same major at other universities

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Flathead Valley Community College
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi
$53,647 · 5 yrs out
Owens Community College
$53,421 · 5 yrs out
Jamestown Community College
$53,202 · 5 yrs out
University of Montana (The)
$53,107 · 5 yrs out
Mohawk Valley Community College - SUNY Office of Community Colleges
$51,929 · 5 yrs out
Illinois Eastern Community Colleges - Wabash Valley College
$51,789 · 5 yrs out
East Central College
$51,789 · 5 yrs out
Colorado Mesa University
$51,556 · 5 yrs out
Red Rocks Community College
$51,537 · 5 yrs out
Southeastern Illinois College
$51,223 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Western Dakota Technical College

Precision Metal Working (Certificate)
$56,363 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Associate)
$54,051 · 5 yrs out
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$53,202 · 5 yrs out
Precision Production (Certificate)
$53,040 · 5 yrs out
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications (Associate)
$52,989 · 5 yrs out
Precision Metal Working (Associate)
$52,793 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Associate)
$51,947 · 5 yrs out
Fire Protection (Associate)
$51,223 · 5 yrs out
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services (Associate)
$50,940 · 5 yrs out
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate)
$50,791 · 5 yrs out
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians (Certificate)
$50,197 · 5 yrs out
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants (Associate)
$49,855 · 5 yrs out

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