Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Southern Mississippi

Median Earnings (1yr)

$75,493

93rd percentile

Median Debt

$31,250

29% above national median

Analysis

Southern Miss graduates with Industrial Production Technology degrees earn $75,493 their first year out—that's $17,570 more than the typical graduate in this field nationwide and substantially ahead of Mississippi State's $57,923. Among the state's four programs, this ranks in the 80th percentile, making it the clear earnings leader for Mississippi students who want to stay in-state.

The debt picture adds to the appeal. At $31,250, graduates carry slightly more than the state median but significantly less than the national average, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41. That means students can expect to pay off their loans with roughly five months of gross earnings—a manageable burden that compares favorably to most bachelor's programs. The university's 47% Pell grant population suggests the program successfully serves students from diverse economic backgrounds without saddling them with outsized debt.

For parents weighing this investment, the numbers are straightforward: Southern Miss delivers top-tier earnings for Mississippi's industrial production programs while keeping debt in check. The combination of strong starting salaries and reasonable borrowing makes this one of the state's more financially sound options, particularly for students interested in manufacturing and production careers who prefer staying close to home.

Where University of Southern Mississippi Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How University of Southern Mississippi graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Mississippi

Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Mississippi (4 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg	$9,618	$75,493	—	$31,250	0.41
Mississippi State UniversityMississippi State	$9,815	$57,923	$63,307	$22,500	0.39
Jackson State UniversityJackson	$9,090	$36,378	$43,802	$30,242	0.83
National Median	—	$59,822	—	$24,250	0.41

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 University of Southern Mississippi, approximately 47% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 32 graduates with reported earnings and 38 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.