Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians at Moraine Park Technical College

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.32 puts this technical program in solid territory—based on comparable mechanical engineering technology programs nationwide, graduates would carry roughly a third of their first year's salary in debt. That's manageable for a two-year credential, though prospective students should know these figures come from peer programs across the country rather than Moraine Park's actual outcomes (the graduate sample was too small for the DOE to report).

The challenge with technical programs like this is that local employment matters enormously. The $48,000 starting salary reflects what similar associate-level mechanical engineering technicians earn nationally, but Wisconsin's manufacturing sector and specific employer relationships in the Fond du Lac area could push actual outcomes higher or lower. Technical colleges often excel at placing graduates into local industries, but without school-specific data, parents can't see whether Moraine Park's particular program delivers on that promise. The relatively low Pell grant percentage (20%) suggests this may not be serving the most economically vulnerable students, which could indicate either selectivity or barriers to access.

For families considering this path, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable economics for a two-year manufacturing credential—but talk directly with the college about job placement rates, employer partnerships, and typical starting wages for recent graduates in the region. Those concrete details matter more than national estimates when you're investing two years and $15,000.