Industrial Production Technologies at North Dakota State College of Science

Wahpeton, ND · Public · Associate Degree · Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians

with a smaller student body of 1,733 in Wahpeton, ND.

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $59,489/yr, edging above the $55,266 national average for Industrial Production Technologies — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.

With a 52.5x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Industrial Production Technologies career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

At $12,546 in median debt against $59,489 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

A #28 ranking among 47 Industrial Production Technologies programs places North Dakota State College of Science in the lower half. Price, proximity, and personal fit become the stronger arguments.

The 30 apprenticeship pathways connected to Industrial Production Technologies reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
63
Score
64
High End
Earnings $59,489/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Resilient (73% shielded)
Job Market Large (69,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$622K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
52.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$11,856
Out-of-state: $13,852
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,546
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Industrial Production Technologies graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390 +1.5% 76%
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians $77,180 +0.6% 59%
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians $64,790 +1.7% 61%
Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other
$77,390
+1.5% growth 76% AI-proof
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians
$77,180
+0.6% growth 59% AI-proof
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
$64,790
+1.7% growth 61% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

About Industrial Production Technologies Careers

Your career in industrial production puts you at the heart of how things get made. You might start as a welder, using high-heat torches and plasma cutters to fuse steel beams on a construction site or meticulously join components in a sterile manufacturing environment. Alternatively, you could be an electrical engineering technician in a lab, using multimeters and oscilloscopes to test prototypes or troubleshoot the complex robotic arms on an assembly line. This is hands-on problem-solving that can't be outsourced or done by an algorithm.

Read the full Industrial Production Technologies career guide →

Compare & Explore

Industrial Production Technologies Overview

Industrial Production Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at North Dakota State College of Science

Considering a 4-Year Degree Instead?

Compare how bachelor's degree graduates fare on earnings, ROI, and AI resilience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Industrial Production Technologies at North Dakota State College of Science?
This program scores 63/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of Industrial Production Technologies programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
What's the typical debt for Industrial Production Technologies graduates from North Dakota State College of Science?
At $12,546 in median debt, Industrial Production Technologies graduates from North Dakota State College of Science carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Industrial Production Technologies through an apprenticeship instead?
Industrial Production Technologies connects to 30 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
How many job openings are there for Industrial Production Technologies graduates?
With approximately 69,900 annual openings across mapped careers, Industrial Production Technologies offers a large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →