Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at Fort Hays Tech North Central

This program's estimated figures suggest a solid technical credential with manageable financial risk. Based on comparable industrial production programs nationally, graduates typically earn around $56,700 in their first year while carrying roughly $12,000 in debt—a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21 that falls well within what most experts consider sustainable. For an associate's degree that can lead directly to work in manufacturing or industrial settings, these numbers indicate a practical path to employment without overwhelming debt burdens.

The challenge here is context. Kansas has ten schools offering this program, but none publish earnings data, making it impossible to gauge how Fort Hays Tech North Central compares to in-state alternatives or whether Kansas industrial production roles match the national salary picture. The national benchmark sits at $56,700, with top-performing programs reaching $64,000+, but without Kansas-specific data, it's unclear where local graduates land. Manufacturing hubs and industrial employers vary significantly by region, which can drive substantial differences in starting wages.

For parents, the key question is whether Kansas offers sufficient industrial production opportunities to justify this credential. If your region has active manufacturing or production facilities, the estimated debt load appears reasonable. However, given the data limitations, connect directly with the school's placement office to learn where recent graduates actually work and what they earn—those real-world outcomes will tell you far more than national estimates can.