Best colleges for Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings are Brigham Young University - Idaho ($85,411), Lamar University ($84,746) and California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo ($78,938), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Brigham Young University - Idaho (Rexburg, ID): $85,411, 49 graduates a year
- Lamar University (Beaumont, TX): $84,746, 54 graduates a year
- California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo (San Luis Obispo, CA): $78,938, 50 graduates a year
- Ferris State University (Big Rapids, MI): $78,820, 112 graduates a year
- University of Southern Mississippi (Hattiesburg, MS): $75,493, 49 graduates a year
Compare 443 U.S. colleges offering Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 48 states.
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,682 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 15.06 and the Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation (BLS SOC).
About Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians programs
The Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians program focuses on the application of engineering and manufacturing technology to enhance production efficiency. It is designed for individuals who are creative and technically skilled, aiming to support companies in achieving productive and profitable operations. This program encompasses various specializations, allowing students to tailor their education to specific interests within the industrial technology field.
Learn more about Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians →
Students in this program will gain essential skills in areas such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics. Coursework covers mechanical principles, engineering and technology applications, as well as production and processing techniques, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed to excel in diverse industrial settings.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigham Young University - Idaho Rexburg, ID Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $85,411 | 49 | 55% | $6,760 | — |
| 2 | Lamar University Beaumont, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $84,746 | 54 | 37% | — | $37,672 |
| 3 | California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,938 | 50 | 86% | — | $18,250 |
| 4 | Ferris State University Big Rapids, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $78,820 | 112 | 47% | — | $24,250 |
| 5 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,493 | 49 | 49% | — | $31,250 |
| 6 | Weber State University Ogden, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $75,281 | 44 | 46% | — | $26,500 |
| 7 | Central Connecticut State University New Britain, CT Public · Bachelor's degree | $74,889 | 26 | 48% | — | $18,750 |
| 8 | Southern Illinois University - Carbondale Carbondale, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $73,283 | 63 | 62% | — | $22,000 |
| 9 | University of Northern Iowa Cedar Falls, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $69,122 | 25 | 68% | — | $23,213 |
| 10 | Purdue University West Lafayette, IN Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,582 | 164 | 83% | — | $21,345 |
| 11 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,154 | 113 | 84% | — | $22,462 |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin-Platteville Platteville, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $67,742 | 54 | 56% | — | $25,125 |
| 13 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KS Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,703 | 90 | 57% | — | $22,250 |
| 14 | East Carolina University Greenville, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,324 | 179 | 63% | — | $20,625 |
| 15 | University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Pine Bluff, AR Public · Bachelor's degree | $61,946 | 20 | 40% | — | $25,262 |
| 16 | Western Kentucky University Bowling Green, KY Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,675 | 47 | 56% | — | — |
| 17 | Pennsylvania College of Technology Williamsport, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $60,468 | 64 | 53% | — | $27,000 |
| 18 | Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $58,817 | 326 | 47% | — | $23,000 |
| 19 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $57,923 | 82 | 67% | — | $22,500 |
| 20 | Tarleton State University Stephenville, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $55,036 | 38 | 48% | — | $25,750 |
| 21 | Indiana State University Terre Haute, IN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $78,215 | 18 | 43% | — | $20,500 |
| 22 | University of Dayton Dayton, OH Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $70,559 | 10 | 80% | $28,560 | $26,405 |
| 23 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, MN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $69,616 | 12 | 40% | — | $16,084 |
| 24 | Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $67,641 | 15 | 52% | — | $25,500 |
| 25 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $64,528 | 13 | 54% | — | $28,500 |
Top 19 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge Community College Baton Rouge, LA Public · Associate degree | $103,572 | 75 | 31% | — | $16,000 |
| 2 | Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, AR Public · Associate degree | $97,406 | 45 | 49% | — | — |
| 3 | Olympic College Bremerton, WA Public · Associate degree | $86,309 | 472 | 31% | — | $6,875 |
| 4 | Bismarck State College Bismarck, ND Public · Associate degree | $82,310 | 44 | 47% | — | $12,000 |
| 5 | SOWELA Technical Community College Lake Charles, LA Public · Associate degree | $75,239 | 293 | 43% | — | $7,457 |
| 6 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TX Public · Associate degree | $64,485 | 143 | 46% | — | $15,834 |
| 7 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, IN Public · Certificate | $63,796 | 524 | 40% | — | $10,245 |
| 8 | John C Calhoun State Community College Tanner, AL Public · Associate degree | $59,567 | 649 | 41% | — | $12,000 |
| 9 | River Parishes Community College Gonzales, LA Public · Associate degree | $57,379 | 728 | 30% | — | $11,187 |
| 10 | ITI Technical College Baton Rouge, LA Private for-profit · Associate degree | $56,225 | 62 | 59% | $20,818 | $18,383 |
| 11 | Danville Community College Danville, VA Public · Associate degree | $55,860 | 101 | 39% | — | — |
| 12 | Coastal Alabama Community College Bay Minette, AL Public · Associate degree | $55,570 | 259 | 31% | — | — |
| 13 | Portland Community College Portland, OR Public · Associate degree Small program | $78,450 | 17 | 18% | — | — |
| 14 | Community College of Beaver County Monaca, PA Public · Associate degree Small program | $75,949 | 1 | 12% | — | — |
| 15 | Grand Rapids Community College Grand Rapids, MI Public · Certificate | $70,622 | 20 | 21% | — | $11,500 |
| 16 | University of Alaska Anchorage Anchorage, AK Public · Associate degree Small program | $64,364 | 14 | 30% | — | $20,750 |
| 17 | Antelope Valley Community College District Lancaster, CA Public · Associate degree Small program | $60,323 | 8 | 34% | — | $10,280 |
| 18 | North Dakota State College of Science Wahpeton, ND Public · Associate degree Small program | $59,489 | 12 | 55% | — | $18,609 |
| 19 | Hudson Valley Community College Troy, NY Public · Associate degree Small program | $56,997 | 12 | 35% | — | — |
Specializations within Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
9 of the 9 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 15.06 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
- Manufacturing Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0613
Technician 5,247 graduates / yr272 institutions45 states - Industrial Technology/CIP 15.0612
Technician 4,201 graduates / yr150 institutions39 states - Industrial Production Technologies/CIP 15.0699
Technicians 2,268 graduates / yr66 institutions23 states - Welding Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0614
Technician 507 graduates / yr27 institutions18 states - Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0607
Technician 280 graduates / yr23 institutions13 states - Composite Materials Technology/CIP 15.0617
Technician New in CIP 2020partial data114 graduates / yr8 institutions6 states - Metallurgical Technology/CIP 15.0611
Technician partial data82 graduates / yr5 institutions4 states - Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology/CIP 15.0616
Technician 82 graduates / yr10 institutions4 states - Chemical Engineering Technology/CIP 15.0615
Technician partial data67 graduates / yr5 institutions3 states
Offered across 48 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-3026, Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians, and its national outlook.
The career outlook for graduates in Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 6,300 positions. The median wage for this field is around $64,790, and typical educational requirements include an associate's degree, preparing students for various roles in the manufacturing and production sectors.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 15.06.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 15.06 (Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 17-3023 | Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians |
| 17-3026 | Industrial Engineering Technologists and Techniciansprimary |
| 17-3029 | Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other |
| 51-4121 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers |
| 51-9141 | Semiconductor Processing Technicians |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Test selected products at specified stages in the production process for performance characteristics or adherence to specifications.
- Compile and evaluate statistical data to determine and maintain quality and reliability of products.
- Study time, motion, methods, or speed involved in maintenance, production, or other operations to establish standard production rate or improve efficiency.
- Read worker logs, product processing sheets, or specification sheets to verify that records adhere to quality assurance specifications.
- Verify that equipment is being operated and maintained according to quality assurance standards by observing worker performance.
- Aid in planning work assignments in accordance with worker performance, machine capacity, production schedules, or anticipated delays.
Common questions
What is the focus of the Industrial Production Technologies program?+
The program focuses on using engineering and manufacturing technology to improve production efficiency.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn skills such as critical thinking, active listening, and mathematics, along with knowledge in mechanical and engineering principles.
What are the job prospects after graduation?+
Job prospects include around 6,300 annual openings, with a median wage of $64,790.
What level of education is typically required?+
Most positions in this field require an associate's degree.
How much do Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates earn?+
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $57,682, College Scorecard (2019); the Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians occupation pays about $70,700 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians?+
Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians maps to CIP 15.06 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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