Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at College of Staten Island CUNY

This CUNY associate's program shows solid financial fundamentals based on what peer programs typically deliver. With estimated first-year earnings around $56,700 and debt of just $12,000, the ratio of 0.21 falls well within manageable territory—you're looking at roughly two months of gross income to cover total borrowing. That's a sustainable starting point for someone entering manufacturing or industrial production work, especially in the New York metro area where these technical skills command decent wages.

The estimate derives from comparable industrial production technology programs nationwide, and the figure aligns almost exactly with what Hudson Valley Community College reports for its graduates in the same field within New York. That consistency suggests the estimate is reasonable, though parents should recognize we're working from peer data rather than this specific program's track record. Still, the broader pattern is encouraging: industrial tech programs at community colleges generally produce graduates who earn enough to justify modest debt loads, particularly at a low-cost public institution like CUNY where tuition keeps borrowing minimal.

For a family weighing trade school alternatives or deciding whether college makes sense for hands-on work, this program offers a practical pathway. The debt burden stays light, the credential opens doors to supervisory and quality control roles that high school diplomas don't access, and nearly half the student body receives Pell grants—suggesting the program serves working families successfully.