Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degree) at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Median Earnings (1yr)

$64,528

63rd percentile

Median Debt

$28,500

18% above national median

Analysis

Minnesota State-Mankato's Industrial Production Technologies program starts graduates around $64,500—solid money, but landing in the middle of Minnesota's pack at the 40th percentile. That's several thousand below the state median of $67,000 and noticeably behind Saint Cloud State's $69,600. Given that both are public institutions where tuition differences would be minimal, this earnings gap matters for Minnesota residents choosing between in-state options.

The debt load of $28,500 is manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44, meaning graduates earn more than twice what they owe. That's better than most programs nationally. Earnings do grow steadily to over $70,000 by year four, though one caution: the sample size here is quite small (under 30 graduates), so individual circumstances could swing these numbers significantly in either direction.

If your student is deciding between Minnesota State options for this field, Saint Cloud appears to offer better earnings momentum. However, if they're already committed to Mankato for location or fit reasons, the financial picture isn't problematic—graduates can reasonably handle the debt. Just recognize they're not getting the strongest earnings potential available within the state for this credential.

Where Minnesota State University-Mankato Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How Minnesota State University-Mankato graduates compare to all programs nationally

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School	1 Year	4 Years	Growth
Minnesota State University-Mankato	$64,528	$70,279	+9%
Central Connecticut State University	$74,889	$84,550	+13%
Weber State University	$75,281	$84,292	+12%
Ferris State University	$78,820	$81,758	+4%
Saint Cloud State University	$69,616	$67,231	-3%

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (5 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato	$9,490	$64,528	$70,279	$28,500	0.44
Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud	$10,117	$69,616	$67,231	$16,084	0.23
National Median	—	$59,822	—	$24,250	0.41

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 Minnesota State University-Mankato, approximately 20% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 29 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.