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Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin

2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin

15 Schools Ranked
$4,603 Avg Tuition & Fees*

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which trade school program is right for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Trade College Search has developed this Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Our analysis looked at 15 schools in Wisconsin to see which basic certificate programs offered the best educational experiences for trade school students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Trade Basic Certificate Schools in Wisconsin

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
1,263 Total Awards
$4,607 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Madison Area Technical College to be the best school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Wisconsin. Madison College is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,263 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,607 in tuition and fees if they attend Madison College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,812.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Madison College. In 2020-2021 about 67% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#2

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
1,945 Total Awards
$4,826 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Fox Valley Technical College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 1,945 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,826 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend FVTC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,977.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at FVTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 31% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Fox Valley Technical College Report

#3

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
931 Total Awards
$4,641 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Moraine Park Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Moraine Park Technical College is a small public school located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin that handed out 931 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Moraine Park Technical College is $4,641. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,793.

Moraine Park Technical College does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 42% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

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#4

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
1,280 Total Awards
$4,642 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Chippewa Valley Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,280 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

Students from Wisconsin who attend CVTC full time pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,793.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since CVTC does offer online classes for certain majors. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read full report on Chippewa Valley Technical College

#5

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
947 Total Awards

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 947 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

WITC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2020-2021 year, about 73% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#6

Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, Wisconsin
487 Total Awards
$4,642 Average Tuition & Fees

Blackhawk Technical College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Janesville, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 487 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $4,642 in tuition and fees if they attend BTC full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,793.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at BTC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 45% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Blackhawk Technical College Report

1,319 Total Awards
$4,814 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. NWTC is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and has a fairly large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,319 basic certificates to qualified students.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at NWTC is $4,814. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,965.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since NWTC does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 41% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#8

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
1,757 Total Awards
$4,766 Average Tuition & Fees

Gateway Technical College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,757 students in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,766 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Gateway Technical College. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,917.

One thing to take note of is that Gateway Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 36% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Gateway Technical College

#9

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, Wisconsin
1,571 Total Awards
$3,791 Average Tuition & Fees

Northcentral Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #9 on the list. Located in Wausau, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,571 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

In-state students pay an average of $3,791 in tuition and fees if they attend North Central Technical College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $5,512.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since North Central Technical College does offer online classes for certain majors. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 52% took at least some of their classes online.

Read full report on Northcentral Technical College

#10

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
978 Total Awards
$4,571 Average Tuition & Fees

Waukesha County Technical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. WCTC is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 978 basic certificates to qualified students.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend WCTC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,722.

Some students may be able to take online classes at WCTC. In fact, around 22% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Waukesha County Technical College

#11

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin
483 Total Awards
$4,636 Average Tuition & Fees

Western Technical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the small public school handed out 483 basic certificate awards in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Western Technical College is $4,636. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $6,788.

Some students may be able to take online classes at Western Technical College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2020-2021 academic year, around 63% took at least some of their classes online.

Read More…

#12

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Fennimore, Wisconsin
244 Total Awards
$4,571 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #12 on the list. Fennimore, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 244 students in 2021-2022.

Students from Wisconsin who attend Southwest Tech full time pay an average of $4,571 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $6,731.

Southwest Tech does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 35% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

#13

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
435 Total Awards
$4,760 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Mid-State Technical College did quite well on this year’s best schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Mid-State Technical College is a small public school located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin that handed out 435 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,760 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Mid-State. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,850.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Mid-State. In fact, around 64% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#14

Lakeshore Technical College

Cleveland, Wisconsin
388 Total Awards
$4,303 Average Tuition & Fees

Lakeshore Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. LTC is a small public school situated in Cleveland, Wisconsin. It awarded 388 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average in-state tuition and fees for students at LTC is $4,303. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $6,326.

Some students may be able to take online classes at LTC. In fact, around 66% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Lakeshore Technical College Report

#15

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
905 Total Awards
$4,867 Average Tuition & Fees

Milwaukee Area Technical College came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. MATC is a fairly large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 905 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Full-time students from Wisconsin pay an average of $4,867 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MATC. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $7,018.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MATC does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2020-2021 year, about 60% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Milwaukee Area Technical College

Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

View Best Trade Basic Certificate Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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