Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield

Analysis

In New Jersey's competitive metalworking training landscape, this program stands out with first-year earnings of $39,141—notably above both the state median of $37,249 and the national benchmark of $36,248. With an estimated debt load around $9,400 based on comparable certificate programs at this institution, graduates face a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24, meaning they'd owe roughly three months of their first-year salary. That's manageable by any standard, particularly for a credential that takes months rather than years to complete.

The catch is that these debt figures are estimates drawn from similar programs at Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield, not reported outcomes for this specific metalworking cohort. Still, the earnings are actual reported data, and they paint an encouraging picture: this program outperforms 60% of metalworking certificates in New Jersey and 69% nationally. For families concerned about ROI, a sub-$10,000 investment that leads to nearly $40,000 in first-year earnings is straightforward math, especially when more than half of students qualify for Pell grants and likely have additional aid options.

The bigger question is durability—metalworking trades can plateau early, so investigate what advanced certifications or specializations graduates pursue to increase earnings over time. But as an entry point to skilled manufacturing work, this program delivers measurable value at a reasonable estimated cost.

Where Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in New Jersey

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in New Jersey (10 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Universal Technical Institute-BloomfieldBloomfield	$39,141	—	$9,429*	—
Lincoln Technical Institute-South PlainfieldSouth Plainfield	$37,249	$42,279	$9,429*	0.25
Lincoln Technical Institute-MahwahMahwah	$37,249	$42,279	$9,429*	0.25
Hohokus School of Trade and Technical SciencesPaterson	$26,736	$47,845	$7,600*	0.28
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 Universal Technical Institute-Bloomfield, approximately 53% 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.