Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at Pima Community College

The estimated $12,000 debt load for this industrial production program comes in below the national median of $13,500 for similar credentials, while projected first-year earnings of $56,704 would create a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21—well within manageable territory. Based on peer programs nationally, graduates typically earn enough to make monthly payments workable from the start.

The challenge is that Arizona has six programs in this field, but none report outcomes data publicly, making it difficult to assess how Pima's program compares locally. National benchmarks suggest the field delivers consistent mid-50s earnings for associate degree holders, but manufacturing and production roles can vary significantly by region depending on local industry presence. Tucson's industrial base may or may not match the mix of employers feeding into the national figures.

For a two-year technical degree, the numbers from comparable programs suggest reasonable value—the estimated debt is modest and the earnings projections put graduates on solid footing. However, parents should verify what specific employers recruit from Pima's program and whether local job placement reflects the national patterns these estimates assume. The true test isn't what similar programs produce elsewhere, but whether this particular program connects students to Tucson-area manufacturers and production facilities that offer comparable opportunities.