Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians at University of Dayton

University of Dayton graduates in this industrial production program earn nearly $11,000 more than the national median, placing them in the top 20% nationally. The $70,559 starting salary represents a solid launch into manufacturing and production roles, though it's worth noting this comes from a small graduating class, which means individual outcomes can vary more than at larger programs. The debt load of $26,405 is actually below the 28th percentile nationally—meaning most similar programs leave students with more debt—creating a favorable 0.37 debt-to-earnings ratio where graduates owe just over a third of their first-year salary.

Within Ohio, this program sits in the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile, outearning the state median by about $4,000. That's a meaningful difference for in-state students who likely paid lower tuition than out-of-state peers. The program matches the state median debt, so Ohio families aren't paying a premium for the University of Dayton name in this particular field.

The small sample size matters here—with fewer than 30 graduates tracked, a few exceptional or struggling careers can skew the numbers. But the fundamentals look sound: strong national earnings performance, manageable debt, and outcomes that hold up against both state and national competitors. For families confident their student will complete the degree and enter the industrial production field, this represents a reasonable investment, though they should verify current class sizes and job placement support given the program's modest scale.