Est. Earnings (1yr)
$35,122
Est. from national median (6 programs)
Est. Median Debt
$21,375
Est. from national median (6 programs)

Analysis

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

Scroll to see more →

SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)*Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
Moraine Park Technical CollegeFond du Lac$4,713$35,122*—$21,375*—
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington$11,790$71,550*$88,198$19,500*0.27
Boise State UniversityBoise$8,782$36,913*—$27,298*0.74
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis$10,449$36,707*$44,404$24,500*0.67
West Virginia University at ParkersburgParkersburg$4,420$33,536*—$16,316*0.49
Cabrillo CollegeAptos$1,270$31,951*$55,144—*—
National Median—$35,122*—$15,205*0.43
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business/commerce graduates

Sales Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.

$138,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Industrial Production Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate the work activities and resources necessary for manufacturing products in accordance with cost, quality, and quantity specifications.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Quality Control Systems Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate quality assurance programs. Formulate quality control policies and control quality of laboratory and production efforts.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geothermal Production Managers

Manage operations at geothermal power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor geothermal plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biofuels Production Managers

Manage biofuels production and plant operations. Collect and process information on plant production and performance, diagnose problems, and design corrective procedures.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Biomass Power Plant Managers

Manage operations at biomass power generation facilities. Direct work activities at plant, including supervision of operations and maintenance staff.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydroelectric Production Managers

Manage operations at hydroelectric power generation facilities. Maintain and monitor hydroelectric plant equipment for efficient and safe plant operations.

$121,440/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Construction Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate, usually through subordinate supervisory personnel, activities concerned with the construction and maintenance of structures, facilities, and systems. Participate in the conceptual development of a construction project and oversee its organization, scheduling, budgeting, and implementation. Includes managers in specialized construction fields, such as carpentry or plumbing.

$106,980/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Administrative Services Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Facilities Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate operations and functionalities of facilities and buildings. May include surrounding grounds or multiple facilities of an organization's campus.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Security Managers

Direct an organization's security functions, including physical security and safety of employees and facilities.

$106,880/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Chief Executives

Determine and formulate policies and provide overall direction of companies or private and public sector organizations within guidelines set up by a board of directors or similar governing body. Plan, direct, or coordinate operational activities at the highest level of management with the help of subordinate executives and staff managers.

$105,350/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree
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.