Est. Earnings (1yr)
$56,704
Est. from national median (34 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$12,000
Est. from national median (21 programs)

Analysis

This two-year technical credential appears well-positioned financially, at least based on what peer programs deliver. With estimated debt around $12,000 against first-year earnings of approximately $56,700, students would face monthly loan payments representing less than 3% of their gross income—a manageable burden that suggests graduates could realistically handle both living expenses and debt service from day one.

The challenge here is that these figures come entirely from national patterns across similar industrial production programs, not from Washington State College's actual outcomes. Ohio has 25 schools offering this credential, but none report sufficient graduate data for direct comparison. What we know is that nationally, industrial production technology programs tend to produce solid early earnings relative to the two-year investment required. The field rewards technical skills that are immediately marketable, which typically translates to quick returns on educational costs.

For parents weighing this option, the estimated numbers point toward reasonable value, but you're essentially betting that Washington State College's program performs like the national median. Before committing, connect with the school's career services office to learn where recent graduates actually landed jobs and at what starting wages. The theoretical math works, but local employer relationships and hands-on training quality—factors not captured in these estimates—ultimately determine whether your student joins the success stories or struggles to reach those projected earnings.

Where Washington State College of Ohio Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

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

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Washington State College of OhioMarietta$4,128$56,704*—$12,000*—
Baton Rouge Community CollegeBaton Rouge$4,221$103,572*$114,358$16,000*0.15
Arkansas Northeastern CollegeBlytheville$2,570$97,406*——*—
Olympic CollegeBremerton$4,197$86,309*$81,453$6,875*0.08
Bismarck State CollegeBismarck$5,195$82,310*$100,657$12,000*0.15
Portland Community CollegePortland$5,040$78,450*$72,111—*—
National Median—$56,704*—$13,500*0.24
* 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 Washington State College of Ohio, 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 34 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.