Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Gateway Technical College

Gateway Technical College's business operations certificate graduates earn substantially more than the national median—$34,203 versus $25,094—placing them in the 95th percentile nationally. That's impressive on its face, but context matters: within Wisconsin, this program sits at the 60th percentile, meaning it's slightly above average for the state but not exceptional. Wisconsin's technical colleges generally produce stronger outcomes in this field than many other states, so "good for Wisconsin" still means quite good overall.

The debt picture looks manageable at first glance. With $18,020 in median debt and a 0.53 debt-to-earnings ratio, graduates should be able to handle their loans on entry-level business support salaries. The debt sits in the 5th percentile nationally—meaning 95% of similar programs nationwide leave students with less debt—but that comparison is misleading since many programs charge far less while delivering lower earnings. Against Wisconsin peers (median debt: $16,722), Gateway charges modestly more but delivers modestly better results.

The critical caveat: this data comes from fewer than 30 graduates, so these numbers could shift significantly year to year. For parents considering this certificate, it appears to be a solid pathway to consistent employment in administrative roles, with debt that won't overwhelm a starting salary. Just don't expect the earnings premium over other Wisconsin technical colleges to be dramatic.