Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at Neosho County Community College

Similar programs nationwide suggest first-year earnings around $57,000 for industrial production technology graduates, which would make this associate's degree financially viable—if Neosho's outcomes track with these peer programs. The estimated $12,000 in debt is actually below the national median for this field, translating to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21. That's the kind of number that should allow graduates to manage loan payments without financial strain, assuming the earnings estimates hold locally.

The challenge is that Kansas doesn't have any industrial production technology programs with publicly reported outcomes, making it difficult to gauge how this credential performs in the state's specific job market. Nationally, this field shows consistent mid-$50,000s earnings at the median, with top-performing programs reaching the mid-$60,000s. Whether Neosho's graduates land closer to the median or struggle to find relevant positions in rural Kansas remains unknown.

For families considering this program, the estimated debt load is manageable enough that even if earnings come in below projections, the financial risk appears limited. However, you'd want to verify what local manufacturers and production facilities actually hire for—and at what wages—before committing. An associate's degree that costs $12,000 and leads to $50,000+ work is solid value, but only if those jobs exist within commuting distance of Chanute.