Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at Moraine Park Technical College

Moraine Park Technical College's nursing program graduates start strong at nearly $67,000, but that figure drops to $61,600 by year four—an unusual earnings trajectory that warrants scrutiny. While the debt load of $17,025 is reasonable, this backward slide in income stands out in Wisconsin's nursing landscape, where most programs see stable or growing earnings as nurses gain experience.

Within Wisconsin, this program sits at the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack among 22 nursing programs statewide. However, graduates earn roughly $8,000 less after four years than peers from top Wisconsin programs like Herzing-Madison or Milwaukee Area Technical College. The 8% earnings decline suggests possible challenges with career advancement, shifts to part-time work, or local job market constraints in the Fond du Lac area that could limit long-term earning potential.

The modest debt burden keeps this program from being a bad bet—new nurses can realistically manage $17,000 in loans on initial salaries above $65,000. But parents should understand they're paying for geographic convenience rather than premium outcomes. If your child plans to stay in central Wisconsin, this could work fine. If they're willing to commute or relocate to Madison or Milwaukee metro areas after graduation, consider programs with stronger four-year earnings trajectories that better justify the investment of time and tuition.