Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies at Fox Valley Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
fvtc.eduAnalysis
Fox Valley Technical College's heavy equipment maintenance program carries an estimated $11,000 in debt—slightly above the national median but manageable given the earning potential in this field. Based on outcomes at similar Wisconsin technical colleges, graduates typically start near $50,000, putting the debt at just 22% of first-year earnings. That's a reasonable burden for a credential that leads directly to skilled trade work.
The estimated figures here align closely with what peer programs across Wisconsin actually report, from Western Technical's $46,591 to Northwood Technical's $55,793. This consistency suggests the industrial equipment maintenance field offers relatively stable entry points regardless of which Wisconsin technical college you attend. The narrow debt range across comparable programs—clustering around $10,000-$11,000—also indicates predictable borrowing patterns for students pursuing this credential.
The practical takeaway: this appears to be a solid investment for someone committed to working with heavy machinery, with debt that shouldn't overwhelm early-career paychecks. However, since these figures are drawn from peer programs rather than Fox Valley's actual graduate outcomes, prospective students should ask the school directly about job placement rates and which local employers recruit from their program—those concrete details matter more than estimated earnings when you're betting on a specialized technical credential.
Where Fox Valley Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies certificate's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (16 total in state)
Scroll to see more →
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,916 | $49,667* | — | $11,000* | — | |
| $4,524 | $55,793* | — | $11,000* | 0.20 | |
| $4,724 | $49,667* | $57,793 | $12,000* | 0.24 | |
| $4,716 | $46,591* | $57,781 | $9,166* | 0.20 | |
| National Median | — | $50,524* | — | $9,500* | 0.19 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies graduates
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers
Industrial Machinery Mechanics
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Millwrights
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
Rail Car Repairers
Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Fox Valley Technical College, approximately 12% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in WI. Actual outcomes may vary.