Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians at Fox Valley Technical College

Fox Valley Technical College's electromechanical program produces solid first-year earnings of $58,623, but trails several peer schools in Wisconsin where similar graduates often start in the mid-$60,000s. The estimated $12,000 debt burden—based on comparable associate programs at the school—translates to a manageable 0.20 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning graduates would need roughly 2.5 months of gross income to cover their educational investment.

The earnings trajectory shows steady growth to $66,589 by year four, a 14% increase that suggests stable career progression in this skilled trade. However, the program sits at the 40th percentile among Wisconsin's 16 electromechanical programs, indicating that other technical colleges in the state are better positioned to help graduates access higher-paying entry-level positions. Programs at Waukesha County and Southwest Wisconsin technical colleges, for instance, report starting salaries more than $6,500 higher.

For families prioritizing minimal debt exposure in a skilled trade, the low estimated borrowing makes this a financially safe choice. But if your child has the flexibility to attend a different Wisconsin technical college—particularly one in the southeastern part of the state—the $5,000-7,000 difference in starting salary could compound significantly over a career. The program works, but it's not leading the pack in this competitive state market.