Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at Saint Paul College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24 suggests reasonable value, but the reality here is more complicated. National peer programs point to first-year earnings around $43,600, but Minnesota's industrial production landscape tells a different story—the only program in the state with reported outcomes shows graduates earning $32,000, roughly 25% less than the national figure. That's a substantial gap that should factor into your calculations, especially given the state's smaller market for this credential.

The estimated debt of $10,263 is manageable either way, representing just a few months of earnings even at Minnesota's lower wage levels. With 40% of Saint Paul College students receiving Pell grants, this program may offer accessible training for students who need to enter the workforce quickly. However, the lack of reported outcomes for this specific program—and the wide variance between national and state benchmarks—makes it difficult to gauge what Saint Paul's graduates actually achieve.

Before committing, find out where Saint Paul's completers actually work and what they earn. The national estimate might apply if graduates are landing positions outside Minnesota's industrial sector, but if they're competing locally, the $32,000 figure is probably closer to reality. That difference changes the financial picture significantly.