Location: Saint George, UT
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$40,866
Est. from UT median (4 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$7,913
Est. from national median (94 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable precision metalworking programs across Utah, this certificate appears positioned right at the state's median outcome of roughly $41,000 in first-year earnings. That puts graduates ahead of the national benchmark by about $4,500—a meaningful premium that reflects Utah's strong manufacturing sector. The estimated debt load of under $8,000 creates a manageable 0.19 debt-to-earnings ratio, suggesting graduates could potentially clear their loans within months if they're disciplined about repayment.

What complicates the assessment is that we're working with estimates here rather than this specific program's track record. Other Utah technical colleges with reported outcomes show a range from $35,800 to $45,350, and Dixie Tech's program could fall anywhere within that spread. The program's low Pell grant percentage (8%) might indicate it serves students with more financial resources, or simply reflects the demographics of the St. George area.

For families considering this path, the fundamental question is whether precision metalworking aligns with your child's aptitudes and the local job market. If they're mechanically inclined and St. George has manufacturing employers, a sub-$8,000 investment for $40,000+ earning potential is hard to dismiss. Request placement rates and try to speak with recent graduates before committing—the difference between the best and worst Utah programs is nearly $10,000 annually, which matters considerably at this income level.

Where Dixie Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all precision metal working certificate's programs nationally

Dixie Technical College (estimated ±10%)Other precision metal working programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Utah

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Utah (11 total in state)

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SchoolEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Dixie Technical CollegeSaint George$40,866*—$7,913*—
Davis Technical CollegeKaysville$45,350*——*—
Mountainland Technical CollegeLehi$42,032*$35,137—*—
Ogden-Weber Technical CollegeOgden$39,699*$46,922—*—
Southwest Technical CollegeCedar City$35,838*——*—
National Median$36,248*—$9,000*0.25
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with precision metal working graduates

Sheet Metal Workers

Fabricate, assemble, install, and repair sheet metal products and equipment, such as ducts, control boxes, drainpipes, and furnace casings. Work may involve any of the following: setting up and operating fabricating machines to cut, bend, and straighten sheet metal; shaping metal over anvils, blocks, or forms using hammer; operating soldering and welding equipment to join sheet metal parts; or inspecting, assembling, and smoothing seams and joints of burred surfaces. Includes sheet metal duct installers who install prefabricated sheet metal ducts used for heating, air conditioning, or other purposes.

$60,850/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Machinists

Set up and operate a variety of machine tools to produce precision parts and instruments out of metal. Includes precision instrument makers who fabricate, modify, or repair mechanical instruments. May also fabricate and modify parts to make or repair machine tools or maintain industrial machines, applying knowledge of mechanics, mathematics, metal properties, layout, and machining procedures.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Tool and Die Makers

Analyze specifications, lay out metal stock, set up and operate machine tools, and fit and assemble parts to make and repair dies, cutting tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges, and machinists' hand tools.

$57,700/yrJobs growth:

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.

$51,000/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to extrude or draw thermoplastic or metal materials into tubes, rods, hoses, wire, bars, or structural shapes.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend forging machines to taper, shape, or form metal or plastic parts.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to roll steel or plastic forming bends, beads, knurls, rolls, or plate, or to flatten, temper, or reduce gauge of material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend machines to saw, cut, shear, slit, punch, crimp, notch, bend, or straighten metal or plastic material.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend drilling machines to drill, bore, ream, mill, or countersink metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend grinding and related tools that remove excess material or burrs from surfaces, sharpen edges or corners, or buff, hone, or polish metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend lathe and turning machines to turn, bore, thread, form, or face metal or plastic materials, such as wire, rod, or bar stock.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:

Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

Set up, operate, or tend milling or planing machines to mill, plane, shape, groove, or profile metal or plastic work pieces.

$46,800/yrJobs growth:
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Dixie Technical College, approximately 8% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in UT. Actual outcomes may vary.