Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at Ivy Tech Community College

Ivy Tech's industrial production program gets graduates earning immediately—$56,633 in the first year—but that's about where the story ends. Four years out, earnings have actually slipped to $54,015, a 5% decline that's unusual for a technical field. Among Indiana's four schools offering this program, Ivy Tech ranks in the 40th percentile, meaning most in-state alternatives deliver stronger outcomes. Vincennes University, for instance, shows nearly identical first-year earnings without the subsequent erosion.

The $11,000 debt load is manageable at just 0.19 times first-year earnings, which is the program's strongest selling point. However, the 78th percentile national debt ranking suggests many similar programs nationwide achieve these earnings with even less borrowing. The earnings plateau—and decline—raises questions about whether this credential opens doors to advancement or locks graduates into entry-level manufacturing roles with limited growth potential.

For families focused purely on immediate employment at minimal cost, this works. But if your child is weighing this against other technical programs or considering long-term career trajectory, the stagnant earnings trajectory should factor heavily into the decision. A credential that peaks on day one isn't building toward anything bigger.