Universal Technical Institute

My husband, wanting a better future for his family, went to this school and graduated recently. He passed his classes, he did well in school, he genuinely enjoyed working with cars. He graduated and he was so proud, as was I. He found a job in the industry and seven months down the line he finds out that while his employers think he is good at what he does, he isn’t keeping up with the speed needed in a fast work pace environment. So yes, they teach you what you need to know, but that doesn’t mean you will thrive once you graduate. This speed/​skill will come with time and practice, but unfortunately the shops/​employers want someone who already knows what they are doing and won’t give you that time to get better.
A huge waste of money and time. Thanks for absolutely nothing, UTI.
Do not go here. Save yourself the heart/​wallet ache.

To start off with don’t go through chs housing that Uti offers I would recommend finding other housing options I only give Uti 1 star because the everything in that school is games the teachers are amazing but the front office is about as useful a chicken with it’s head cut off. Great school if you don’t have to deal with (student services, fin aid, or employment services)

I graduated the automotive program in 2008, it’s been a long haul since then, I’m just now getting around to write a review because I feel I’ve taken the time to think about it for the last 7 years. You can take my review with a grain of salt as you should with anything, but the point of my review is not to dissuade someone from attending, but maybe to get a different view. Starting out it was clear that I ONLY wanted to take automotive, yet they continued to try and push me to take diesel, and whatever else they could shove down my throat to make them more money, after all that’s what they are there for. To this day, I’m glad I didn’t listen and fall victim to something I didn’t want as a few of my friends did who also attended, but that’s their fault. I had some great experiences here, with a FEW great instructors who I will never forget, notice how I capitalized few. There were some classes where they were weeding some instructors out, but it must not have been quick enough. I dealt with some seriously narcissistic instructors, some who didn’t care enough to answer simple questions in the field that they are suppose to be teaching. I was here to get an education on something that interested me to perhaps earn a living in, yet I was starting to regret my time here at UTI. I felt like it was high school all over, basically it was, and the school isn’t to take full responsibility for that, it’s just the reality of kids jumping straight out of high school, and into college or tech school, however some of my instructors were on the same level. I could go on and on about the negatives, but I’d also like to point out a few positives. The school is expensive, I knew that going in, but I got a chance to try something and learn all I could. Along with getting an education I met some friends as well, some that followed far into my future, and some that didn’t, but it was the experience that mattered to me. The school was clean and well kept, and provided pretty much everything to get the job done. I never felt like there was a lack of resources, but for $ 28,000 dollars why should there be? As far as job placement goes, I moved back to my hometown the day after I graduated, as I couldn’t wait to leave my Sacramento’s UTI experience behind me. I started applying for jobs, I had trouble because of my «lack of real shop experience» I had one shop owner laugh and say he’d never hire a UTI student again, just Imagine how that feels, never even getting as far as an interview. I finally decided to take a job at a parts store and it worked to get me some income to start paying off my student loans. I moved in 2011 north of Sacramento to try and get a job, but once again my lack of physical shop experience had them second guessing who they were hiring. Luckily the side jobs were keeping me a float, aside from that I was rebuilding engines etc, that thanks to UTI and a little education I was able to do that. In 2014 I finally managed to get hired by a shop at 18.00 an hour to start, which is great comparing it to most other starting wage jobs. I had an arsenal of tools already from those 7 years, but I was still required by my boss to keep buying more and more tools to get the job done faster and more efficiently. Also there is Insurance, that wasn’t provided by my employer, so when it’s all said and done, you might as well give me a job at at minimum wage because that’s what I’m making. I passed every single class, I’m not one who sits and plays around on my parents dime, I got things done, it’s just the automotive industry can be tough, you should definitely try getting in with a shop before you
Jump in head first.
Kevin
2008 UTI grad

Not worth the time or money. They do not teach you what you need to no for the real world.

UTI is a GREAT facility for Staff and Students. they have a Hot rod displayed in the lobby which is worth seeing. All the staff are very friendly and help you with anything you need. In the Student Services office they provide students with free food for the week if students need, or even a cup of noodle for lunch if students need it. It’s big, bright and clean inside all the buildings. If you are a student I would recommend attending this college if you want to learn how to work on cars, trucks or diesel trucks. If you are looking for a job UTI is a great company to work for.

Your going to waste your money going here. Look at the hard facts. Attend a graduation ceremony and ask how many of those graduates actually have jobs as a mechanic, it’s Not 4 out of 5. Look at their hiring practices, a bimbo in a short dress and heels to attract the guys, …really? Finally, look at the curriculum. The have a «new» program they will elaborate on called «tech 2». Yeah, it’s has updated material that should be available to «All» students attending UTI, but it’s not. It’s information that could be rolled into current «Tech 1» programs (it’s called cut and paste), but instead of making the curriculum stronger, they want you to attend online so you don’t hassle the instructors into doing their job, which is teaching. Tech 2 is a cost saving measure by the school, yet you don’t get a break from tuition. Attend a JC, you will get more for your money, plus a diploma.

Over priced fraternity. At first sounded ideal with strict structure and rules and helpful staff, but once they have your money you are stuck. Must pay tuition even if you choose to leave. If you are sexually harassed you are told to suck it up and take it. You can show up drunk or high and still continue despite their claim. There is a reason only a very small fraction of students graduate from here. Read ALL the fine print before you hand over the life savings.

thank you guys for nothing. i graduated in january and have not been able to find a job thanks to your «job placement assistance» that isn’t much help. really? send me job leads to go work at a casino after paying 40k to go to UTI for auto and diesel mechanic? working at a casino has nothing to do with autmotive! or send me job leads for a position that requires 2 – 5 years experience knowing that im fresh out of school? plus on top of that. you send out the same job lead to another 100 – 300 students (im guessing) that are looking for work? and you send me job leads that are old and already been filled? i graduated with a 3.54 GPA and a 97% attendance and im having trouble finding a job??? that is some BS. all UTI cares about is money. and after you’re done and out they do not care about you since you aren’t giving them anymore money. thanks UTI for a whole lotta nothing. Yah i did learn a lot at that school but im more upset of how you lead students on to believe that there is really some good job placement after they graduate. and how about the «1,000» tool voucher you promise students and after you graduate you hand them a 600dollar voucher? that is some more BS. anyone else have anything to say about UTI? besides thanks for some BS?

I graduated from here and well… it cost a lot but WORTH IT!

My son graduated from here in June. He was finally able to apply his incredible intelligence to a field that he truly enjoyed. His education was top notch. Astute instructors, always willing to go the extra mile to help. He graduated with honors, at the top of his class. He was offered a paid internship to a top diesel mechanic company –BEFORE he even graduated. In a recession! Now he’s in a field he enjoys, is good at and pays well enough for him to buy his first home soon. Bravo UTI!