Est. Earnings (1yr)
$43,602
Est. from national median (13 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$10,263
Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Michigan's industrial production programs typically deliver far stronger outcomes than national benchmarks suggest. The state median of $70,622 dwarfs the $43,602 national figure used to estimate earnings here—Grand Rapids Community College's reported outcomes hit that $70,000 mark precisely. This gap matters because it indicates St Clair County Community College could be significantly underperforming its in-state peers, or the national estimate may simply miss Michigan's robust manufacturing wage premium.

The estimated debt load of roughly $10,000 appears manageable regardless of which earnings scenario plays out. Even at the conservative national estimate, that's a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.24—easily serviceable. But if this program actually performs closer to Michigan norms, graduates would be earning nearly seven times their debt in their first year alone, putting them in an exceptionally strong financial position for a certificate program.

The uncertainty here cuts both ways. Port Huron's proximity to manufacturing corridors could mean local employers drive wages closer to state levels. Alternatively, the suppressed data might indicate too few completers to generate stable outcomes. Before enrolling, verify placement rates and where recent graduates actually landed jobs—specific employer partnerships matter more than broad estimates when evaluating technical programs like this.

Where St Clair County Community College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (21 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
St Clair County Community CollegePort Huron$5,076$43,602*$10,263*
Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids$4,059$70,622*$11,500*0.16
National Median$43,602*$10,244*0.23
* 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 St Clair County Community College, approximately 25% 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 13 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.