Location: Clifton Forge, VA•In-State Tuition: $4,878•Out-of-State Tuition: $10,881
Est. Earnings (1yr)
$56,704
Est. from national median (34 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$12,000
Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

Manufacturing technician programs in Virginia show considerable variation, with first-year earnings ranging from the high $40s to mid-$50s at schools with reported data. Mountain Gateway's estimated outcomes—$56,704 in earnings based on national peer programs—would place it above the Virginia median of $52,574, though these figures come from comparable programs nationwide rather than this school's actual graduates.

The estimated debt load of $12,000 creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21, meaning students would owe roughly two months' salary. This compares favorably to the national median debt of $13,500 for similar programs. However, the relatively low Pell grant enrollment at 24% raises questions about accessibility or whether local students are finding better-paying alternatives in this manufacturing corridor.

The practical challenge is uncertainty. While peer programs suggest solid outcomes for industrial production technicians, Mountain Gateway's actual track record remains unclear due to small graduate cohorts. For families in the Clifton Forge area looking at technical careers, this associate's degree appears financially sound based on what similar programs produce—but confirming employment connections with local manufacturers would be essential before enrolling.

Where Mountain Gateway Community College Stands

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

Mountain Gateway Community College (estimated ±10%)Other industrial production technologies/technicians programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (22 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeClifton Forge$4,878$56,704*—$12,000*—
Danville Community CollegeDanville$4,848$55,860*——*—
Virginia Western Community CollegeRoanoke$5,256$49,287*——*—
National Median—$56,704*—$13,500*0.24
* Estimated from similar programs

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 Mountain Gateway Community College, approximately 24% 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 34 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.