Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at South Louisiana Community College

South Louisiana Community College's industrial production technology program shows earnings trailing notably behind other Louisiana options—starting at $44,022 versus a state median of $56,802. Among nine Louisiana schools offering this program, it ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of similar programs in the state deliver better outcomes. When nearby SOWELA Technical Community College grads earn $75,239 and even Nunez Community College exceeds $45,000, this gap matters for families comparing in-state options.

The debt load of $13,500 is manageable at roughly a third of first-year earnings, but the modest starting salary means graduates face a longer payback period than they would at higher-earning programs. The 11% earnings growth to $48,805 by year four helps but doesn't close the gap with competitors. For a field where technical skills should command strong wages—especially in Louisiana's industrial economy—these returns fall short of what the credential typically delivers.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds uncertainty, so these numbers could shift with more data. However, with multiple Louisiana community colleges delivering substantially better outcomes in the same field, parents should carefully consider why this particular program underperforms its state peers before committing.