Industrial Production Technologies at Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, MI · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians
66 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
66
Optimistic
66
Base Case
65
Pessimistic
Earnings $63,665/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk Moderate (27% exposed)
Job Market Large (69,900 openings/yr)
ROI 12.3x earnings multiple (9.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #13 of 48 Industrial Production Technologies programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Industrial Production Technologies graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $765K $752K $689K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 12.5x 12.3x 11.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 10.0x 9.8x 9.0x
Probability of Field Employment 55% 53% 45%
DegreeOutlook Score 66 66 65

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$61,192
Out-of-state: $76,392 (9.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,804
-22% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$29,000
5.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$91,015
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $63,665 per year, Industrial Production Technologies graduates from Western Michigan University earn slightly above the $60,266 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 12.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 27% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $29,000 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #13 out of 48 programs, Western Michigan University's Industrial Production Technologies offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $63,665 to $91,015 shows 43% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About Western Michigan University

With 85% of applicants admitted, Western Michigan University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 12,704 in Kalamazoo, MI.

See all programs and financial aid at Western Michigan University →

Top Career Paths

Engineering technologists and technicians, except drafters, all other $77,390/yr
Electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians $77,180/yr
Industrial engineering technologists and technicians $64,790/yr
View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Industrial Production Technologies at Other Schools

Other Majors at Western Michigan University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Western Michigan University's Industrial Production Technologies program score?
This program scores 66/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Industrial Production Technologies graduates.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →