Wisconsin CTE programs could be your ticket to a stable career offering a good income. CTE stands for career-technical education, and you can find these programs at both the high school and college level.
Overall, 97 percent of state high school students following a CTE curriculum will earn their degree. What's more, 92% of graduates from technical schools in Wisconsin will be employed or enrolled in the military or an apprenticeship within six months of finishing their program. Those numbers come from Advance CTE, an association of career-technical education directors.
Many of the fastest growing jobs in Wisconsin require vocational training. For instance, heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers as well as registered nurses have some of the hottest jobs statewide, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. In Milwaukee, maintenance and repair workers are in demand. Meanwhile, medical assistants should have good job prospects in the north central section of the state, and welders are needed in western Wisconsin.
Why is Wisconsin Good For Vocational Schools?
Vocational schools in Wisconsin give workers what are known as middle skills. These are skills that require training past high school but not a four-year degree. According to the National Skills Coalition, 55 percent of Wisconsin jobs required middle skills in 2015. However, only 48 percent of workers had that level of training. That means there may be good employment opportunities in the state for those who earn a certificate, diploma or associate degree.
Online trade schools in Wisconsin can make it convenient to pursue these jobs. Depending on the program, you may be able to earn your degree from home without ever setting foot on campus. In addition to letting you study around your current work schedule, that could eliminate commuting and childcare costs. Even if your program must be completed in person, career schools in Wisconsin can generally have you ready for a job in one to two years so you can quickly get the skills you need and move on to the workforce.
Highest-Paying and Fastest-Growing Careers in Wisconsin
Top Vocational Schools in Wisconsin
The best vocational schools in Wisconsin charge an affordable tuition rate and have demonstrated student success outcomes. We used data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education to find the colleges that had strong graduation rates and flexible learning options among other criteria. The following are the best trade schools in Wisconsin based on our methodology.
Northcentral Technical College can be a smart choice for anyone seeking an affordable education from a school with a proven track record of success. Not only does the college have an attractive tuition rate, but it hands out $425,000 in scholarships each year to make the cost of attendance even lower. Students learn practical skills and knowledge on more than nine campuses and learning centers as well as online, and 95 percent of graduates are employed within one year.
What vocational programs NTC offers:There are more than 190 programs at NTC that result in two-year associate degrees, one and two-year technical diplomas and short-term certificates. Apprenticeships are also offered. NTC offers dozens of fully online programs including an early childhood education associate degree and an accelerated technical diploma in human resources management.
An education at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College translates into workplace success for many students. Overall, 94% of graduates are employed within six months of finishing their program, and 98 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the training they received at the school. What's more, nearly 55 percent of graduates working in a job related to their field of study saw their income grow within five years of leaving Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College,
What vocational programs WITC offers: Degrees and certificates at WITC cover more than 60 career areas. These range from agricultural business fundamentals to welding instruction. Students have a dozen course delivery options, giving them maximum flexibility to study how they want. They can take courses online, via interactive television, through a blended format or using one of several other options.
Lakeshore Technical College says it puts the hire in higher education. The school serves more than 10,500 students annually, many of whom are adults studying on a part-time basis. Many organizations have recognized the quality academics offered at Lakeshore Technical College. For instance, the Aspen Institute named it one of the 150 best community colleges in the nation for 2019.
What vocational programs LTC offers: There are more than 60 one and two-year programs offered at LTC. Some of the school's most popular associate degrees are in accounting and nursing. Students can also earn a certificate or complete an apprenticeship in construction or industrial skilled trades through LTC. The college has service learning opportunities and may provide credit for work and life experience.
The history of Moraine Park Technical College dates back to the founding of the Fond du Lac Continuation School in 1912. From those early roots, the technical college has grown into a comprehensive institution of higher learning with campuses in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam and West Bend. Both online and on-campus degrees are offered at Moraine Park Technical College.
What vocational programs MPTC offers: MPTC offers more than 100 options across four types of programs: associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships. Popular options include a nursing assistant technical diploma and an associate degree in business management. Online programs cover technology, business and allied health fields such as medical coding. Public high school students may be able to take college classes for free at Moraine Park thanks to the Start College Now program.
Students in western Wisconsin can find quality educational programs at Western Technical College. In recent years, the school completed a $29.8 million facelift of its facilities through the Vision 2020 plan and is implementing an Experience 2025 initiative that aims to improve student success for those who traditionally have been left out of higher education. Western Technical College offers classes on-campus as well as online.
What vocational programs WTC offers: With more than 100 programs offered, WTC is focused on teaching practical skills that make students employable. Those enrolled can earn an associate degree, technical diploma or certificate. Apprenticeships are also available. A landscape horticulture technician diploma and an online associate degree in hospitality management are examples of the diverse programs found at WTC.
Why pay nearly $9,500 for tuition each year at a public four-year college when Fox Valley Technical College costs less than half that amount? Affordable tuition is just one reason this college is among the top trade schools in Wisconsin. Fox Valley Technical College also offers flexible learning options in more than 250 programs, and it enrolls more students than any other technical college in the state.
What vocational programs FVTC offers: FVTC offers associate degrees, technical diplomas and certificates in 15 broad categories. There are multiple program options in popular fields such as welding, business and construction trades. Students can study on the school's two campuses or four regional centers. There are also online, virtual classroom and hybrid course options.
Head north for a quality education at Chippewa Valley Technical College. The school says its associate degree graduates have an average starting salary of $46,816, and 95 percent have a job within six months of finishing their program. Chippewa Valley Technical College is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System and offers both traditional and online degree programs.
What vocational programs CVTC offers: Students can choose from more than 155 programs at CVTC. These include associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates and apprenticeships. Examples include an HVAC associate degree and an emergency medical technician diploma. There are about a dozen online options including a software development specialist diploma. Students can also select the MyChoice delivery method for some programs, and this option combines online with in-person learning.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has a reputation for quality education programs in both academic and vocational fields. The school was founded in 1912 and has more than 200 associate degree, technical diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs. Nearly 95 percent f 2017 graduates reported employment within six months of completing their program, and 98 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the education they received.
What vocational programs NWTC offers: The programs at NWTC cover 14 fields of interest including business, energy and manufacturing. They prepare students for everything from office jobs as administrative professionals to skilled trades such as electrical power distribution technicians. Most programs at NWTC have transitioned to an eight-week course schedule to help students finish their education more quickly.
With four campus locations, Mid-State Technical College specializes in training students for local workforce needs. The school teaches real-world skills using the latest technology, and 95 percent of graduates are employed within six months of finishing their program. Mid-State Technical College also features an affordable tuition rate and comprehensive student support services.
What vocational programs Mid-State offers: Mid-State offers more than 60 programs on its campuses and online. These span 15 career clusters and may result in degrees, diplomas or certificates. Some programs, such as the construction trades technical diploma, can be completed in a single semester. Others, like the associate degree in business management, take two years but can be completed online as well as on-campus. There are also TelePresence, computer conferencing and hybrid course options for distance learners.
As another of the best trade schools in Wisconsin, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College operates under core values that include integrity, innovation and continuous improvement. Students may be eligible for credit for prior learning received in the military or in a previous job. Southwest Tech, as the school is more commonly called, also offers multiple ways for high school students to earn college credit early.
What vocational programs Southwest Tech offers: The vocational programs at Southwest Tech offer flexible learning options. There are traditional daytime programs, night and weekend classes and 100% online degrees, diplomas and certificates. Options range from a popular associate degree in nursing to more unique offerings such as a dairy goat herd management certificate.
Financial Aid for Vocational Students in Wisconsin
There are two main reasons students can save money by enrolling in technical schools in Wisconsin. The first is most vocational programs can be completed in two years or less, meaning students get out of school in half the time it takes to graduate from four-year colleges and universities.
The second reason is that tuition rates are typically lower at two-year schools. Consider these average tuition rates based on 2018 data from The College Board:
- Wisconsin Technical College System schools — $4,095
- Two-year institutions within the University of Wisconsin — $5,186
- Four-year institutions within the University of Wisconsin — $7,389 to $10,534
- Public out-of-state and private non-profit four-year institutions — $30,180
Not only are two-year schools considerably cheaper, but Wisconsin scholarships and grants are available to students who enroll. To receive financial aid in Wisconsin, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This is the form used by the government and schools to determine eligibility for assistance programs like those listed below. View our financial aid guide for more about the FAFSA and how to apply for financial aid in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Grant: This grant provides $250 to $3,150 per year for financially eligible students who are enrolled at least half-time at the University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Technical Colleges or tribal institutions.
- Talent Incentive Program Grant: Initial grants from this program may range from $600 to $1,800 annually, and this aid is intended for the most financially needy and educationally disadvantaged Wisconsin residents.
- Technical Excellence Scholarship: These scholarships award $2,500 per year to high-achieving high school students who go on to attend Wisconsin Technical Colleges.
Initiatives for Vocational Students in Wisconsin
Here are a few of the ways Wisconsin is supporting career schools in the state:
Funding for vocational students in Wisconsin
In Fiscal Year 2018, Wisconsin higher education funding equaled $6,435 per student based on full-time equivalent enrollment, according to a report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association.
- The U.S. Department of Labor awarded a $5 million grant to the Department of Workforce Development to help fund 1,000 new apprenticeships in the state.
Wisconsin policies that benefit vocational students
Wisconsin Technical Colleges have tuition reciprocity agreements with six schools in Michigan, Illinois and Iowa which allow out-of-state students to pay in-district tuition rates when enrolling at participating technical schools in Wisconsin.
- Apprentice Wisconsin is an initiative of the Department of Workforce Development that helps connect potential apprentices to sponsors.
School-specific program initiatives in Wisconsin
Some Wisconsin high schools have partnered up with Wisconsin Technical Colleges to offer early college credit through the Start College Now program.
- Other schools have specific vocational programs for high school students who want a head-start on learning practical job skills. For instance, the award-winning Kaukauna High School manufacturing program provides hands-on experience with computer-aided design software. Participating students also earn college credit from Fox Valley Technical College or the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
Resources for Vocational Students and Vocational Job Seekers
For information on school accreditation, visit the Higher Learning Commission website.
- The Higher Educational Aids Board oversees financial aid programs in Wisconsin and provides application information.
- Job seekers can head to the Job Center of Wisconsin to find career data, workforce events, veteran services and more.
