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

Analysis

This program sits comfortably above the middle of the pack for precision metal working in Illinois, with first-year earnings of $37,568 beating the state median by nearly $6,000. That's solid positioning for a trade certificate, particularly when similar programs at UTI-Illinois carry an estimated debt load of $9,500—about what you'd expect to finance for this credential level.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 means graduates would theoretically dedicate about three months of gross income to paying off their loans, a manageable burden for skilled trades work. However, it's worth noting that earnings estimates are based on comparable programs statewide rather than tracked outcomes from this specific certificate. The range among Illinois schools is wide—from $31,630 to over $39,000—suggesting that employer connections and training quality matter significantly in this field.

For parents wondering whether a short-term certificate justifies the investment, the numbers pencil out reasonably well if your student wants hands-on metalworking skills quickly. The 46% Pell grant rate indicates this program serves working-class families looking for direct pathways to employment. Just understand you're betting on a program that should perform near the state average based on peer data, not on proven placement records specific to UTI-Illinois's precision metalworking track.

Where Universal Technical Institute of Illinois Inc Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (47 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Universal Technical Institute of Illinois IncLisle	—	$37,568	—	$9,500*	—
Lincoln College of Technology-Melrose ParkMelrose Park	—	$39,408	—	—*	—
Lewis and Clark Community CollegeGodfrey	$3,552	$37,195	$34,731	—*	—
Lincoln Land Community CollegeSpringfield	$3,672	$33,298	—	—*	—
Southwestern Illinois CollegeBelleville	$3,870	$31,692	$38,940	$6,500*	0.21
Midwest Technical Institute-IllinoisSpringfield	—	$31,630	$33,836	$9,500*	0.30
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 of Illinois Inc, approximately 46% 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.