Quick Facts

• Location: Appleton, Wisconsin
• Address: 1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton, WI 54914
• School Type: Public Technical College
• Programs Offered: Automotive, Diesel, Welding & Metal Fabrication, Manufacturing, Electrical/Instrumentation, CNC, Construction, Apprenticeships, Aviation, Public Safety and many more
• Training Style: Hands-on laboratories, technical diplomas, associate degrees and employer-based apprenticeship instruction
• Tuition Range: $157.45 per credit for Wisconsin residents in 2026–27, plus activity/material fees and program expenses
• Program Length: Short diplomas/certificates through 1- and 2-year degrees; apprenticeships commonly 3–5 years
• Online Programs Available: Yes, selected programs and classes
• Hybrid Learning: Yes, program-dependent
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, loans, work-study and scholarships for qualifying programs
• Class Options: Full-time, part-time, daytime, evening and selected online/flexible courses
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission; institutional accreditation reaffirmed in 2025
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.4 (228 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Fox Valley Technical College is a major public technical college serving the Appleton/Fox Cities region. The Appleton campus offers more than 200 areas of study and is particularly strong in transportation, manufacturing and registered apprenticeship training.

For students looking specifically for trades, FVTC stands out for automotive technology, diesel equipment, welding and metal fabrication, electrical/instrumentation and construction apprenticeships.

The college’s Higher Learning Commission accreditation was reaffirmed following its 2025 comprehensive review, with the next comprehensive review scheduled for 2035.

Programs Offered

Trade-related pathways include areas such as:

• Automotive Technology
• Automotive GM ASEP
• Diesel Equipment Technology
• Welding Production
• Welding/Metal Fabrication
• Welding/Metal Fab Technician
• CNC and machining
• Industrial technology
• Electrical and instrumentation
• Plumbing
• Steamfitting
• Refrigeration/HVAC-related apprenticeships
• Operating Engineer apprenticeship

Automotive Technology

FVTC’s Automotive Technology associate degree is offered in Appleton.

Current estimated costs are:

• Tuition and fees — $11,900
• Additional materials/supplies — approximately $420
• Textbooks — approximately $300

This puts the published educational cost at roughly $12,620, before any additional expenses that may arise.

The school also offers a manufacturer-focused GM ASEP Automotive Technology associate degree.

Current estimates for GM ASEP are:

• Tuition/fees — $11,700
• Materials/supplies — approximately $4,095
• Textbooks — approximately $610

Diesel Equipment Technology

FVTC’s Diesel Equipment Technology associate degree is another strong Appleton offering.

Current estimated costs:

• Tuition and fees — $12,900
• Additional materials/supplies — approximately $310
• Textbooks — approximately $115

Students train for careers servicing diesel-powered trucks, construction machinery and other heavy equipment.

Welding & Metal Fabrication

FVTC offers several different welding routes rather than one single program.

The broader Welding/Metal Fabrication technical diploma has a current estimated cost of:

• Tuition and fees — $7,100
• Materials/supplies — approximately $570
• Textbooks — approximately $405

A more advanced Welding/Metal Fab Technician diploma requires 54 credits, is financial-aid eligible and covers:

• Structural metal fabrication
• CAD-related production planning
• Press brake work
• Tube bending
• Laser and water-jet cutting
• Robotic arc welding
• Welding codes
• Manufacturing processes

Students seeking something shorter can choose the 13-credit Production Welding diploma, available in Appleton or Oshkosh. That shorter credential is currently not eligible for federal financial aid.

Apprenticeships

Fox Valley Tech has an extensive apprenticeship division.

Appleton programs include fields such as:

• Plumbing
• Steamfitting
• Steamfitting Service/HVAC-R
• Electrical & Instrumentation
• Operating Engineer and other construction/industrial trades

For example, Steamfitting Service is a five-year apprenticeship combining employment and classroom instruction. Students train in heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, piping, electronic controls, pneumatic systems and programmable controls.

Students must first be employed before entering that apprenticeship pathway.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For 2026–27, FVTC publishes:

• Wisconsin resident — $157.45 per credit
• Out-of-state — $236.18 per credit
• Student activity fee — $14.20 per credit
• Standard material fee — $6 per course
• Student accident insurance — $4.50 per semester
• Application fee — $30

Books, tools, uniforms and program-specific equipment are generally additional.

Eligible students can use financial aid toward qualifying degrees and diplomas. Short credentials and apprenticeships may not qualify, so students should verify eligibility program by program.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public technical-college tuition
• Excellent automotive and diesel selection
• GM ASEP manufacturer pathway
• Multiple levels of welding training
• Strong manufacturing programs
• Extensive apprenticeship system
• Flexible program start dates
• HLC accreditation
• Financial aid for qualifying programs

Career Opportunities

Graduates may pursue entry-level work as:

• Automotive Technician
• Dealership Technician
• Diesel Technician
• Heavy Equipment Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Robotic Welding Technician
• CNC Technician
• Industrial Technician
• Plumber Apprentice
• Steamfitter Apprentice
• HVAC/Refrigeration Service Apprentice
• Electrical & Instrumentation Apprentice

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.4 (228 Reviews)

This is a solid rating with a substantial number of reviews. Because FVTC serves thousands of students in very different fields, applicants should pay particular attention to reviews for their specific trade department.

Enrollment Tips

The Fall 2026 semester began August 24, but FVTC lists another second eight-week start on October 21, 2026 for programs where that option is available. Spring 2027 begins January 19.

Applicants should also compare short technical diplomas against longer financial-aid-eligible pathways. For example, Production Welding is shorter but not federally aid eligible, while the 54-credit Welding/Metal Fab Technician diploma is.

Bottom Line

Fox Valley Technical College is one of Wisconsin’s strongest trade and technical schools, particularly for automotive, diesel, welding, manufacturing and apprenticeships. With 2026–27 resident tuition of $157.45 per credit and several trade programs in roughly the $7,000–$13,000 tuition range, FVTC offers substantially more affordable technical training than many private career schools.