Electrical and Power Transmission Installers at Moraine Park Technical College

Moraine Park's electrical program starts modestly but builds momentum, with graduates nearly doubling their earnings from $41,051 to $66,222 over four years—that 61% growth trajectory outpaces typical certificate programs. However, within Wisconsin's technical college system, this falls in the middle of the pack at the 40th percentile, trailing schools like Chippewa Valley ($61k) and Southwest Wisconsin ($53k) by significant margins.

The program's strength lies in its minimal financial burden: just $5,500 in median debt creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.13, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in less than two months of work. This positions it favorably in the 90th percentile nationally for low debt, though that same debt level is standard across Wisconsin's technical colleges for this program.

For a student committed to the electrical trades, this delivers solid long-term value despite the slower start. The fourth-year earnings of $66k represent substantial earning power for a certificate credential. Just understand that your child might find stronger first-year placement at competing Wisconsin technical colleges, which could matter if they need immediate income. The low debt provides flexibility either way—whether they stay local or transfer skills elsewhere after gaining initial experience.