Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Barton County 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

Based on comparable industrial production programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $43,600 in their first year while carrying roughly $10,300 in debt—a manageable ratio that suggests this certificate could pay for itself relatively quickly. However, Kansas-specific data tells a more sobering story: the one program in-state with reported outcomes shows first-year earnings of just $24,900, nearly $19,000 below the national figure this estimate draws from.

That gap matters tremendously for understanding return on investment. If Barton County graduates follow the Kansas pattern rather than the national one, you're looking at debt equal to nearly half of first-year earnings instead of a quarter. Industrial production jobs are heavily influenced by local manufacturing ecosystems, and Kansas's lower wage structure suggests the optimistic national benchmark may not reflect what actually happens for graduates staying in the region.

The practical question is whether your child plans to relocate after graduation. If they're willing to pursue opportunities in stronger manufacturing markets, the national earning potential makes this certificate worthwhile. If they're planning to stay in central Kansas, the local wage reality suggests they should enter with eyes wide open about earnings expectations and consider whether the debt load makes sense at those income levels.

Where Barton County Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Kansas

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Kansas (10 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Barton County Community CollegeGreat Bend	$3,616	$43,602*	—	$10,263*	—
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and TechnologyWichita	$6,018	$24,913*	—	$6,887*	0.28
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 Barton County Community College, approximately 18% 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.