Business Administration, Management and Operations at Fox Valley Technical College

Fox Valley Technical College's business associate degree delivers solid national performance but falls slightly short of Wisconsin standards. While graduates earn 16% more than the typical business associate holder nationally, they're actually earning below the state median—a notable gap when Wisconsin students could access higher-earning programs at Mid-State or Moraine Park Technical College without leaving the state system.

The debt load of $15,120 translates to a manageable 0.38 ratio against first-year earnings, meaning graduates owe less than five months' salary. This positions the program competitively on affordability, though not exceptionally so. What's more concerning is the earnings trajectory: that $39,337 starting salary grows to $45,772 after four years—decent growth, but still trailing what similar programs across Wisconsin deliver from day one.

The fundamental question is geographic: if your child plans to work in Wisconsin, they'd be entering the job market at a disadvantage compared to peers from technical colleges just an hour away. The program isn't problematic—the debt is reasonable and outcomes are respectable nationally—but within Wisconsin's competitive technical college landscape, it's a middle-of-the-pack option when stronger choices exist at similar price points.