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

Analysis

Universal Technical Institute-Canton's metal working certificate delivers a challenging value proposition for a trade program. First-year graduates earn $33,636—below both the national median ($36,248) and Michigan's median ($34,077) for this credential. This lands the program in the 40th percentile among Michigan metal working programs, meaning six out of ten alternatives in the state produce better outcomes. The gap becomes stark when comparing to top Michigan programs like Ferris State, where graduates earn more than double.

The silver lining is the debt picture: at $11,790, it's still manageable with a 0.35 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly four months of income. That's better than many four-year degrees. However, within this specific field nationally, the debt sits in only the 13th percentile—meaning 87% of similar programs saddle students with less debt. When you're earning below-average wages, even moderate debt matters more.

The fundamental concern here is opportunity cost. With 33 metal working programs across Michigan, and several community colleges producing similar or better earnings at comparable or lower cost, this program doesn't stand out as the smart in-state choice. For parents financing this education, Delta College or Grand Rapids Community College would deliver similar first-year earnings while keeping your investment focused on proven local alternatives.

Where Universal Technical Institute-Canton Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (33 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Universal Technical Institute-CantonCanton	$17,252	$33,636	—	$11,790	0.35
Ferris State UniversityBig Rapids	$13,630	$68,852	$74,137	$21,765	0.32
Delta CollegeUniversity Center	$4,640	$34,112	$36,436	—	—
Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids	$4,059	$34,042	$38,509	$4,540	0.13
National Median	—	$36,248	—	$9,000	0.25

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-Canton, approximately 30% 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.