Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at Aims Community College

Based on comparable industrial production programs nationwide, this associate's degree appears financially solid—estimated first-year earnings around $56,700 against roughly $12,000 in debt yields a comfortable 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's the kind of math that should work for most graduates: even aggressive loan repayment would claim less than a quarter of first-year income. The field itself tends to produce consistent outcomes, with the national median sitting at exactly this earnings level and the top quarter reaching $64,500.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With only five programs statewide and suppressed data across Colorado schools, there's no local benchmark to judge whether Aims delivers outcomes similar to peer programs or falls short. Industrial production roles can vary significantly by regional industry—what works near manufacturing hubs may differ in Colorado's economy. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (17%) suggests Aims serves fewer high-need students than typical community colleges, though that tells us nothing about graduate outcomes.

For families comfortable with some uncertainty, the national data suggests reasonable value—skilled trades programs at community colleges generally deliver strong returns. But you're essentially betting that Aims' program performs like the national median without local evidence to confirm it. If your student has specific employers or apprenticeship connections lined up, that de-risks the investment considerably.