At $10,910/yr net price, Fox Valley Technical College graduates earn $45,684/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,684/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,910 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,640 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,684/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,684/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,402 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,559/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,609/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,347/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,816/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,456/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $60,161 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $55,964 | |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $49,136 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $48,823 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $48,041 | $12,333 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $47,729 | $9,048 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $45,435 | $6,577 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $44,418 | $8,149 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $42,012 | $10,968 |
The Risk Factor
61.4% of students at Fox Valley Technical College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Fox Valley Technical College gives you a solid financial deal for a two-year school. You leave with a median debt of about $10,000 and earn roughly $45,000 ten years out, so your debt is well under a single year's pay. A 61% graduation rate is strong for a public two-year college, which matters because the return only works if you finish.
The payoff depends heavily on your program. The electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance associate degree tops the list near $60,000, and that fits the Fox Valley region's manufacturing base around Appleton. Fire protection and drafting associate degrees land closer to $49,000, still comfortably above the school's overall median. The associate nursing program pays around $48,000 but carries the highest debt of the top programs at about $12,000, so weigh that if nursing is your goal. Note that the allied health line near $56,000 is a certificate, not a degree, so don't read it as a full two-year outcome.
The main risk here is program choice, not price. The technical and health programs pay. if you enroll in something outside these hands-on fields, your earnings could sit well below the $45,000 median while your costs stay the same.
Net price barely changes across the lower income tiers. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $8,600. Cross $48,000 and your price jumps to about $12,300, then above $110,000 you pay roughly $15,500. That's a real climb for middle and upper-middle families.
This school fits you if you want a manufacturing, skilled-trade, or health credential and plan to work in the Appleton area. If you want a general associate degree as a transfer step with no clear career target, the earnings data here won't back up the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fox Valley Technical College worth the cost?
Fox Valley Technical College offers solid value with a low net price of $10,910 annually and median debt of just $10,402. Graduates earn $45,684 after 10 years, making this a financially reasonable choice for technical training.
What are the highest paying programs at Fox Valley Technical College?
Electromechanical Instrumentation leads at $60,161 annually, followed by Allied Health Diagnostic programs at $55,964. Fire Protection and Engineering Technologies also exceed $48,000, offering strong earning potential relative to the school's low cost.
How much debt do Fox Valley Technical College students graduate with?
The median debt is $10,402, which is quite manageable for a technical college. This low debt load combined with decent starting salaries makes Fox Valley Technical College a lower-risk investment than most four-year schools.
What is the graduation rate at Fox Valley Technical College?
Fox Valley Technical College has a 61% graduation rate. While not exceptional, this is typical for community and technical colleges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing programs.