Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Stark State College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$43,602

Est. from national median (13 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$10,263

Est. from national median (8 programs)

Analysis

Similar programs across the country suggest this industrial production credential could deliver solid returns. Based on national data from comparable certificate programs, graduates typically earn around $43,600 in their first year—respectable entry-level pay for technical work—while carrying roughly $10,000 in debt. That 0.24 debt-to-earnings ratio means you're looking at manageable borrowing: less than three months of gross salary.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With 27 schools offering this program in Ohio but none reporting public outcomes data, it's difficult to know whether Stark State's version performs above or below the national median. Industrial production programs vary significantly—the top quarter nationally earn $54,000 or more, while others fall short. Manufacturing sectors also differ by region; Ohio's industrial landscape may offer different opportunities than the national average suggests. The $10,000 debt estimate is modest for any postsecondary credential, but outcomes depend heavily on local employer relationships and whether this certificate opens doors to stable manufacturing employment.

If your child has a clear path to manufacturing jobs in the Akron-Canton area and Stark State has strong industry connections, this could work. But given that we're working entirely from peer program estimates, connect with current students or recent graduates before committing—their employment outcomes will tell you more than national averages can.

Where Stark State College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Stark State CollegeNorth Canton	$4,670	$43,602*	—	$10,263*	—
Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Rapids	$4,059	$70,622*	—	$11,500*	0.16
Ivy Tech Community CollegeIndianapolis	$4,912	$63,796*	$52,314	$10,245*	0.16
Antelope Valley Community College DistrictLancaster	$1,124	$63,060*	—	$10,280*	0.16
Texas State Technical CollegeWaco	$7,192	$54,068*	—	$9,500*	0.18
Metropolitan Community College-Kansas CityKansas City	$3,630	$53,967*	—	$9,089*	0.17
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 Stark State College, approximately 27% 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.