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

Analysis

A 24-cent debt-to-earnings ratio suggests Industrial Production Technologies graduates from comparable programs face a manageable financial burden, though these figures come from national peer programs rather than tracked outcomes from Truckee Meadows itself. With estimated earnings of $43,602 and debt around $10,263, this certificate appears to follow the pattern of community college technical programs: modest borrowing for relatively quick entry into skilled trades work.

The challenge here is context. Nevada has only three schools offering this program, and none report actual graduate outcomes publicly—meaning we're working entirely from national patterns. Industrial production technology is a broad field spanning manufacturing, quality control, and process management roles, and first-year earnings can vary significantly based on which sector employs you. The national data showing programs ranging up to $54,068 at the 75th percentile suggests there's real variation in outcomes, likely tied to local industry presence and employer relationships.

For a parent considering this path, the low Pell grant percentage (15%) might indicate a non-traditional student body—people already working who are adding credentials rather than traditional high school graduates. That's actually reassuring for this type of program, as it suggests students have realistic industry knowledge. The real due diligence lies beyond these estimates: which companies recruit from Truckee Meadows, what specific skills the curriculum emphasizes, and whether Reno's industrial base can absorb these graduates at wages that justify even this modest debt load.

Where Truckee Meadows Community 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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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Truckee Meadows Community CollegeReno$3,144$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 Truckee Meadows Community College, approximately 15% 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.