Business/Commerce at Moraine Park Technical College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
morainepark.eduAnalysis
Earning around $35,000 in your first year after completing a business certificate—the typical outcome for similar programs nationally—puts graduates in a challenging position when facing over $21,000 in estimated debt. That debt load, drawn from comparable certificate programs at technical colleges, translates to a 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning you'd be carrying debt equal to more than half your first-year income.
The debt figure here is particularly concerning because it exceeds what most similar business certificate programs carry nationwide (typically around $15,000). Wisconsin programs in this field generally report even lower debt at roughly $14,000. While we're working with estimates for Moraine Park specifically, the pattern suggests this program may saddle students with considerably more debt than peers elsewhere would typically encounter for similar credentials and earning potential.
For an undergraduate certificate—a credential designed to be quick and affordable—these numbers don't tell an encouraging story. Parents should press the school directly for actual graduate outcomes and compare the total cost against other technical colleges in Wisconsin offering business certificates. If the debt estimate proves accurate, you're looking at years of loan payments on a credential that might be obtained elsewhere for substantially less.
Where Moraine Park Technical College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business/commerce certificate's programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs Nationally
Business/Commerce certificate's programs at top institutions nationally
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $4,713 | $35,122* | — | $21,375* | — | |
| $11,790 | $71,550* | $88,198 | $19,500* | 0.27 | |
| $8,782 | $36,913* | — | $27,298* | 0.74 | |
| $10,449 | $36,707* | $44,404 | $24,500* | 0.67 | |
| $4,420 | $33,536* | — | $16,316* | 0.49 | |
| $1,270 | $31,951* | $55,144 | —* | — | |
| National Median | — | $35,122* | — | $15,205* | 0.43 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates
Sales Managers
Industrial Production Managers
Quality Control Systems Managers
Geothermal Production Managers
Biofuels Production Managers
Biomass Power Plant Managers
Hydroelectric Production Managers
Construction Managers
Administrative Services Managers
Facilities Managers
Security Managers
Chief Executives
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 Moraine Park Technical College, approximately 20% 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 national median of 6 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.