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Milwaukee Area Technical College vs Fox Valley Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Milwaukee WI · vs · Public, Appleton 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 $41,113 at Milwaukee Area Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMilwaukee Area Technical CollegeFox Valley Technical College
Net price / yr$9,112$11,407
Total net cost$36,448$45,628
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,113$45,684
Median debt$14,955$10,402
Payback
20-year net return-$181,388-$99,148

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

Which is cheaper, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Fox Valley Technical College?

Milwaukee Area Technical College, at $9,112 a year after aid versus $11,407 — a gap of $2,295 a year, or $9,180 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Milwaukee Area Technical College or Fox Valley Technical College graduates earn more?

Fox Valley Technical College graduates report a median $45,684 ten years after entry, $4,571 more than the $41,113 at Milwaukee Area Technical College. 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, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Fox Valley Technical College?

Fox Valley Technical College: its completers carry a median $10,402 in federal loans versus $14,955 at Milwaukee Area Technical College, a difference of $4,553. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Fox Valley Technical College, against 25% at Milwaukee Area 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.

Milwaukee Area Technical College vs Fox Valley Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Milwaukee Area Technical College or Fox Valley Technical College 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, Milwaukee Area Technical College or Fox Valley Technical College?
Milwaukee Area Technical College: $9,112/yr net price after aid versus $11,407/yr at Fox Valley Technical College — a difference of $2,295 a year, or about $9,180 over four years.
Do Milwaukee Area Technical College or Fox Valley Technical College graduates earn more?
Fox Valley Technical College graduates earn a median $45,684 ten years after entry, versus $41,113 at Milwaukee Area Technical College — a $4,571 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.