Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Alpena Community College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,602

Est. from national median (13 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,263

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Manufacturing jobs in Michigan command premium wages, which makes this certificate's earnings estimate particularly striking. Grand Rapids Community College's industrial technology graduates earn $70,622 in their first year—62% more than what national peer programs suggest Alpena's certificate might deliver at $43,602. That's a gap of roughly $27,000 annually, which compounds significantly over even a few years in the workforce.

The estimated debt load of around $10,263 isn't crushing by itself—it represents just 24% of first-year earnings based on comparable programs nationally. But this calculation assumes those national earnings benchmarks apply in Michigan's manufacturing sector, which operates at a notably different pay scale. If Alpena's graduates actually achieve closer to the state median of $70,622, this becomes a solid investment. If they track closer to the national baseline, parents should ask why this program isn't connecting students to Michigan's better-paying industrial jobs.

The core question is whether Alpena's local employer connections and curriculum align with the higher-wage opportunities elsewhere in the state, or if geography and program focus explain the gap. Before committing, verify where recent graduates actually landed jobs and what they're earning—the estimated figures alone don't tell you whether this certificate opens doors to Michigan's manufacturing premium or leaves students competing at national wage levels.

Where Alpena Community College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all industrial production technologies/technicians certificate's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (21 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Alpena Community CollegeAlpena	$5,130	$43,602*	—	$10,263*	—
Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids	$4,059	$70,622*	—	$11,500*	0.16
National Median	—	$43,602*	—	$10,244*	0.23

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with industrial production technologies/technicians graduates

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply electrical and electronic theory and related knowledge, usually under the direction of engineering staff, to design, build, repair, adjust, and modify electrical components, circuitry, controls, and machinery for subsequent evaluation and use by engineering staff in making engineering design decisions.

$77,180/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Apply engineering theory and principles to problems of industrial layout or manufacturing production, usually under the direction of engineering staff. May perform time and motion studies on worker operations in a variety of industries for purposes such as establishing standard production rates or improving efficiency.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians

Implement production processes and operate commercial-scale production equipment to produce, test, or modify materials, devices, or systems of unique molecular or macromolecular composition. Operate advanced microscopy equipment to manipulate nanoscale objects. Work under the supervision of nanoengineering staff.

$64,790/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Semiconductor Processing Technicians

Perform any or all of the following functions in the manufacture of electronic semiconductors: load semiconductor material into furnace; saw formed ingots into segments; load individual segment into crystal growing chamber and monitor controls; locate crystal axis in ingot using x-ray equipment and saw ingots into wafers; and clean, polish, and load wafers into series of special purpose furnaces, chemical baths, and equipment used to form circuitry and change conductive properties.

$51,180/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

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

Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other

All engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, not listed separately.

Non-Destructive Testing Specialists

Test the safety of structures, vehicles, or vessels using x-ray, ultrasound, fiber optic or related equipment.

Photonics Technicians

Build, install, test, or maintain optical or fiber optic equipment, such as lasers, lenses, or mirrors, using spectrometers, interferometers, or related equipment.

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 Alpena Community College, approximately 21% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 13 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.