Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at North Central Texas College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,602

Est. from national median (13 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,263

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Texas manufacturers pay well—similar Industrial Production Technologies programs across the state typically lead to first-year earnings around $49,000, with the top Texas program hitting $54,000. That context matters when evaluating North Central Texas College's certificate, where comparable programs nationally suggest earnings closer to $44,000. While the estimated debt of $10,263 stays manageable at a 0.24 ratio to first-year income, the earnings figure trails what peer programs in Texas deliver by about $5,000 annually.

The gap between this program's estimated outcomes and what other Texas technical colleges produce isn't catastrophic, but it's meaningful when you're considering a 20-month credential designed for immediate workforce entry. Programs like Texas State Technical College's demonstrate that graduates in this field can command stronger starting salaries in the state's manufacturing sector. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (20%) suggests this college may serve fewer lower-income students who would most need competitive earnings outcomes.

Given the limited graduate data for this specific program and the variance among Texas schools, parents should verify actual job placement rates and starting salaries with the college directly. The debt load won't crush anyone, but ensuring this particular certificate delivers the Texas market rate—not just the national average—is worth confirming before enrollment.

Where North Central Texas College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (12 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
North Central Texas CollegeGainesville	$2,520	$43,602*	—	$10,263*	—
Texas State Technical CollegeWaco	$7,192	$54,068*	—	$9,500*	0.18
Lone Star College SystemThe Woodlands	$3,090	$43,602*	$45,784	—*	—
National Median	—	$43,602*	—	$10,244*	0.23

* 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 North Central Texas College, 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.

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 13 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.