Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at North Shore Community College

Starting at $56,704 in the first year—a figure drawn from national peer programs rather than North Shore's own graduates—this industrial production technology program would carry an estimated debt load of about $12,000. That's a manageable 0.21 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would theoretically owe roughly 10 weeks' salary. The challenge here is that with only five schools in Massachusetts offering this credential and none reporting actual outcomes, there's no clear picture of how local employers value this specific training versus programs in lower-cost states.

The national benchmark of $56,704 places this squarely in line with similar two-year technical programs across the country, suggesting the credential itself has reasonably consistent value in manufacturing settings. However, Massachusetts has a higher cost of living than many states where industrial production programs cluster, and it's unclear whether local starting salaries would exceed or fall short of that national figure. The relatively low debt estimate—below the national median of $13,500—offers some cushion if earnings disappoint.

For parents, the key question is whether their student has identified specific Massachusetts manufacturers interested in hiring from this program. Without school-specific outcomes to validate the investment, direct connections to local employers become essential. The numbers suggest a plausible path to reasonable earnings with limited debt, but you're betting on estimates rather than verified results from North Shore graduates.