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Fox Valley Technical College vs Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design: which has better ROI?

Public, Appleton WI · vs · Private nonprofit, Milwaukee WI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fox Valley Technical College comes closer — median earnings $45,684 against a $45,628 total, vs $41,174 at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFox Valley Technical CollegeMilwaukee Institute of Art & Design
Net price / yr$11,407$26,541
Total net cost$45,628$106,164
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,684$41,174
Median debt$10,402$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$99,148-$249,884

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Fox Valley Technical College or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?

Fox Valley Technical College, at $11,407 a year after aid versus $26,541 — a gap of $15,134 a year, or $60,536 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fox Valley Technical College or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates earn more?

Fox Valley Technical College graduates report a median $45,684 ten years after entry, $4,510 more than the $41,174 at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Fox Valley Technical College or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?

Fox Valley Technical College: its completers carry a median $10,402 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, a difference of $16,598. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, against 65% at Fox Valley Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Fox Valley Technical College vs Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design: frequently asked questions

Is Fox Valley Technical College or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design a better value?
Fox Valley Technical College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Fox Valley Technical College or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design?
Fox Valley Technical College: $11,407/yr net price after aid versus $26,541/yr at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design — a difference of $15,134 a year, or about $60,536 over four years.
Do Fox Valley Technical College or Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design graduates earn more?
Fox Valley Technical College graduates earn a median $45,684 ten years after entry, versus $41,174 at Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design — a $4,510 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.