Precision Metal Working (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College

Median Earnings (1yr)

$26,579

12th percentile

40th percentile in Arkansas

Median Debt

$4,142

54% below national median

Analysis

At $26,579 in first-year earnings, Pulaski Tech's precision metal working certificate falls short of what most Arkansas programs deliver—it's below the state median of $28,831 and trails competing programs like Arkansas Northeastern College (which reports $47,110) by a substantial margin. While the $4,142 in median debt is refreshingly low compared to both state and national averages, this program lands in just the 12th percentile nationally for earnings, suggesting graduates are starting at wage levels that may not justify even a short certificate program.

The good news is the debt burden won't haunt graduates—at roughly 16% of first-year earnings, it's manageable enough to pay off quickly. The bad news is that those first-year wages barely clear $12 per hour, and for skilled trades work, that's concerning. Even within Arkansas, this program sits in just the 40th percentile, meaning more than half of comparable in-state programs produce better outcomes.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift dramatically year to year, but the pattern is clear enough: if your child is interested in metal working, Arkansas has stronger options. Arkansas Northeastern's program delivers nearly double the earnings, and even Southern Arkansas University Tech—with similar first-year wages—might offer better long-term prospects. Unless location in North Little Rock is non-negotiable, this certificate looks like a weak investment for developing a skilled trade career.

Where University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Arkansas

Precision Metal Working certificate's programs at peer institutions in Arkansas (27 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical CollegeNorth Little Rock	$4,848	$26,579	—	$4,142	0.16
Arkansas Northeastern CollegeBlytheville	$2,570	$47,110	—	—	—
Arkansas Welding AcademyJacksonville	—	$33,187	—	$7,933	0.24
University of Arkansas at MonticelloMonticello	$8,868	$31,083	—	—	—
Southern Arkansas University TechCamden	$4,685	$26,001	—	—	—
Cossatot Community College of the University of ArkansasDe Queen	$3,906	$22,341	$35,110	—	—
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 University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College, 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.

Sample Size: Based on 23 graduates with reported earnings and 22 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.