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

Median Earnings (1yr)

$37,568

59th percentile

60th percentile in California

Median Debt

$10,593

18% above national median

Analysis

Universal Technical Institute's precision metal working program produces solid middle-of-the-pack results that outperform most California competitors. With first-year earnings of $37,568, graduates earn about $5,000 more than the typical California program in this field and slightly above the national average. Among the 87 California schools offering this credential, UTI ranks in the 60th percentile—a respectable showing in a competitive state market.

The financial picture looks quite reasonable for a technical certificate. At $10,593 in median debt, students owe just 28 cents for every dollar they'll earn in their first year—well below concerning debt levels. While the debt is slightly higher than state and national medians, the stronger earnings more than compensate. The program serves a significant population of Pell grant recipients (59%), suggesting it provides viable career pathways for students from lower-income backgrounds.

For parents considering this investment, UTI delivers what you'd expect: steady training that leads to middle-class earnings without crushing debt. While it's not the top performer in California—Santa Ana College leads with $45,864 in first-year earnings—UTI offers reliable preparation for precision machining careers. Given the robust sample size and consistent performance metrics, this represents a sensible choice for students interested in skilled manufacturing work.

Where Universal Technical Institute of California Inc Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

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

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (87 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Universal Technical Institute of California IncRancho Cucamonga	—	$37,568	—	$10,593	0.28
Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana	$1,180	$45,864	—	—	—
The Fab SchoolRancho Cucamonga	—	$39,592	$36,707	$4,449	0.11
NTMA Machinist Career CollegeSanta Fe Springs	—	$38,259	$42,216	$8,418	0.22
Universal Technical Institute-Southern CaliforniaLong Beach	—	$37,568	—	—	—
Summit CollegeSan Bernardino	—	$37,502	$42,958	$7,600	0.20
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 California Inc, approximately 59% 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.