Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College's auto tech program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—both nationally and within Wisconsin—but that middle ground tells different stories at different points. Starting at $35,759, graduates earn slightly below the state median of $37,216 and rank in just the 40th percentile among Wisconsin's 16 technical colleges offering this certificate. For context, Fox Valley Technical College graduates from the same program earn $45,675 initially, nearly $10,000 more.

The program's strength emerges over time rather than immediately. By year four, earnings climb to $40,594—a solid 14% increase that outpaces many comparable programs. The $9,000 in typical debt sits below both state and national medians, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.25 that most graduates can manage comfortably. This isn't crushing debt, and the trajectory suggests steady advancement in the field.

For a student committed to staying in northeastern Wisconsin and entering the automotive trades quickly, this program offers reasonable value despite its middle-tier starting salary. However, families should recognize that several other Wisconsin technical colleges deliver stronger initial earning power in the same field, which could matter significantly for a young graduate establishing financial independence. If proximity to Green Bay isn't essential, exploring options like Fox Valley or Gateway could mean an extra $8,000-$10,000 annually from day one.