Est. Earnings (1yr)
$49,667
Est. from WI median (3 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$11,000
Est. from WI median (3 programs)

Analysis

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)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton$4,916$49,667*—$11,000*—
Northwood Technical CollegeRice Lake$4,524$55,793*—$11,000*0.20
Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeEau Claire$4,724$49,667*$57,793$12,000*0.24
Western Technical CollegeLa Crosse$4,716$46,591*$57,781$9,166*0.20
National Median—$50,524*—$9,500*0.19
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with heavy/industrial equipment maintenance technologies graduates

Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers

Assemble, install, repair, or maintain electric or hydraulic freight or passenger elevators, escalators, or dumbwaiters.

$106,580/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Industrial Machinery Mechanics

Repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. May also install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to plans.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Maintenance Workers, Machinery

Lubricate machinery, change parts, or perform other routine machinery maintenance.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Millwrights

Install, dismantle, or move machinery and heavy equipment according to layout plans, blueprints, or other drawings.

$63,510/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul mobile mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment, such as cranes, bulldozers, graders, and conveyors, used in construction, logging, and mining.

$62,740/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Rail Car Repairers

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

$62,740/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Wind Turbine Service Technicians

Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines. Perform maintenance on wind turbine equipment including resolving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic malfunctions.

$62,580/yrJobs growth:Postsecondary nondegree award

Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door

Install, repair, and maintain mechanical regulating and controlling devices, such as electric meters, gas regulators, thermostats, safety and flow valves, and other mechanical governors.

Refractory Materials Repairers, Except Brickmasons

Build or repair equipment such as furnaces, kilns, cupolas, boilers, converters, ladles, soaking pits, and ovens, using refractory materials.

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.