Computer Programming at Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, WI · Public · Associate Degree

serving 6,004 students in Appleton, WI.

Program Analysis

Fox Valley Technical College Computer Programming graduates command $54,652/yr out of the gate, well above the $41,895 national median. That 30% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 75.8x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 78% task exposure — and the 29% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Computer Programming graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,048 in median debt clears fast against $54,652 in annual earnings.

Ranked #8 out of 35 programs, Fox Valley Technical College's Computer Programming program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $54,652 to $74,964 shows 37% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

70 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
70
Score
74
High End
Earnings $54,652/yr (30% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (22% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (162,300 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$800K
8.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
81.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
7 of 7
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,832
Out-of-state: $14,218
Median Debt at Graduation
$9,048
2.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$74,964
37% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Programming graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Software developers $133,080 +15.8% 13%
Software quality assurance analysts and testers $102,610 +10.0% 12%
Computer programmers $98,670 -6.0% 5%
Software developers
$133,080
+15.8% growth 13% AI-proof
Software quality assurance analysts and testers
$102,610
+10.0% growth 12% AI-proof
Computer programmers
$98,670
-6.0% growth 5% AI-proof

View all 7 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Programming Career Guide

Explore what Computer Programming graduates do, from entry-level roles to long-term career paths across 35 programs nationwide.

Read the full Computer Programming career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Programming Overview

Computer Programming at Other Schools

Other Majors at Fox Valley Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Computer Programming at Fox Valley Technical College?
A score of 70/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Fox Valley Technical College's Computer Programming graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How vulnerable is Computer Programming to AI automation?
The 78% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Fox Valley Technical College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What's the typical debt for Computer Programming graduates from Fox Valley Technical College?
Median debt of just $9,048 against $54,652/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Why does Fox Valley Technical College rank so high for Computer Programming?
Among 35 Computer Programming programs, Fox Valley Technical College's #8 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
How many job openings are there for Computer Programming graduates?
Job availability for Computer Programming is strong — 162,300 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Fox Valley Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →