Precision Metal Working at Uintah Basin Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
ubtech.eduAnalysis
With estimated first-year earnings around $41,000 and projected debt under $8,000, this technical certificate appears to offer a manageable entry into skilled manufacturing. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.19 suggests graduates could potentially pay off their loans in under a year if they dedicated 20% of their income—a solid foundation for a trade credential. Based on other Utah metal working programs, earnings in this field cluster between $36,000 and $45,000, with Uintah Basin falling near the middle of that range.
The uncertainty here matters more than usual. With only 1% of students receiving Pell grants, the school's enrollment patterns differ sharply from typical technical colleges, making it harder to predict how this program serves students from various economic backgrounds. The estimated figures come from peer programs statewide and nationally, not from tracking this specific program's graduates—meaning actual outcomes could vary considerably depending on the local job market in Roosevelt and whether employers in the Uintah Basin actively hire from this program.
For families considering this path, the key question is whether Roosevelt's industrial base supports precision metal workers. Talk directly to the school's placement office about where recent graduates actually found jobs and whether those positions match the estimated salary figures. If local demand is strong, this looks like affordable workforce training; if graduates need to relocate for work, factor that into your calculations.
Where Uintah Basin Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all precision metal working certificate's programs nationally
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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| School | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,866* | — | $7,913* | — | |
| $45,350* | — | —* | — | |
| $42,032* | $35,137 | —* | — | |
| $39,699* | $46,922 | —* | — | |
| $35,838* | — | —* | — | |
| National Median | $36,248* | — | $9,000* | 0.25 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with precision metal working graduates
Sheet Metal Workers
Machinists
Tool and Die Makers
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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 Uintah Basin Technical College, approximately 1% 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.