Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degree) at Purdue University Fort Wayne

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$56,704

Est. from national median (34 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$12,000

Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

With just $12,000 in estimated debt leading to first-year earnings around $57,000, this industrial production program appears positioned at the favorable end of technical education investments. Comparable programs nationally suggest a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.21—meaning graduates typically owe roughly two months of their first-year salary, a manageable burden for a field with immediate workforce demand.

What makes this estimate credible is the consistency across Indiana's limited landscape. The state's four industrial production programs cluster tightly around $56,000-$57,000 in first-year earnings, with Vincennes and Ivy Tech showing actual outcomes that mirror the national benchmark. These aren't theoretical figures—they reflect what manufacturers across Indiana actually pay entry-level technicians who understand automated systems and production processes.

The challenge here is simple uncertainty: with too few graduates to report actual outcomes, you're making a decision based on peer program performance rather than Purdue Fort Wayne's specific track record. If this aligns with your child's mechanical aptitude and they're committed to staying in manufacturing-heavy Indiana, the fundamentals look sound. But understand you're betting on a program's theoretical value, not its proven results.

Where Purdue University Fort Wayne Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians associates's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (4 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Purdue University Fort WayneFort Wayne	$9,254	$56,704*	—	$12,000*	—
Vincennes UniversityVincennes	$6,886	$56,775*	$69,592	$12,000*	0.21
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis	$4,912	$56,633*	$54,015	$11,000*	0.19
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 Purdue University Fort Wayne, approximately 23% 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.