Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at Hohokus School of Trade and Technical Sciences

This program sits in an unusual position: while it ranks in just the 5th percentile nationally for industrial production programs, it's actually at the 60th percentile among New Jersey schools—meaning it outperforms most in-state alternatives. The explanation lies in geography: New Jersey's industrial production certificate programs generally produce lower earnings than the national median of $44,000. At $28,664 in year-one earnings, graduates here are starting near the state average but well below what industrial production technicians earn in many other states.

The debt load of $10,243 is manageable—representing just four months of first-year income—and earnings show healthy 30% growth to $37,295 by year four. For students from the program's predominantly lower-income population (65% receive Pell grants), this trajectory offers a reasonably quick path to steady employment. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates tracked) means these numbers could shift significantly year to year, making them less reliable than data from larger programs.

The core question is whether industrial production is the right field in New Jersey. If your child is committed to this career path and needs to stay in-state, Hohokus performs competitively. But families should seriously explore whether relocating for training—or choosing a different technical field with stronger regional demand—might offer better long-term returns. The low national ranking isn't primarily about this school; it's about what New Jersey's industrial sector pays these technicians.