Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc

Analysis

With over $37,500 in first-year earnings and just $10,593 in debt, Universal Technical Institute's precision metal working program delivers a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28—well below the concerning 1.0 threshold that signals potential financial strain. Among Arizona's 17 programs in this field, UTI ranks in the 60th percentile for earnings while keeping debt manageable, outperforming most competitors including East Valley Institute of Technology and Miller-Motte College.

The program's strength lies in its combination of solid earning potential with reasonable borrowing. At $37,568, graduates earn about $3,200 more than the Arizona median and $1,300 above the national average for precision metal working programs. The debt load of $10,593 sits right at Arizona's median, meaning students aren't overpaying relative to local alternatives.

For parents weighing this investment, the math works: graduates typically earn enough in their first year to service their debt comfortably, with room for living expenses and career growth. The robust sample size of 100+ graduates adds confidence to these figures, and UTI's position as the top earner among Arizona competitors suggests strong industry connections and job placement support.

Where Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Universal Technical Institute of Arizona Inc graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Arizona

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Arizona (17 total in state)

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School	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Universal Technical Institute of Arizona IncAvondale	$37,568	—	$10,593	0.28
Refrigeration School IncPhoenix	$35,808	—	$7,917	0.22
East Valley Institute of TechnologyMesa	$32,985	—	—	—
Miller-Motte College-Arizona Automotive InstituteGlendale	$30,105	$35,704	$13,000	0.43
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 of Arizona Inc, approximately 44% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 496 graduates with reported earnings and 491 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.