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Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Wisconsin

2023 Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Wisconsin

Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing

15 Schools Ranked
$6,714 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 assist you in seeing some of the education options that are available to you, Trade College Search has created its Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This report analyzed 15 schools in Wisconsin to see which ones offered the best value basic certificate programs for trade school students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

Top Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in Wisconsin

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Northcentral Technical College

Wausau, Wisconsin
1,571 Total Awards
$5,512 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Northcentral Technical College to be the best value school for trade school students who want to pursue a basic certificate in Wisconsin. Wausau, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 1,571 students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Central Technical College are $5,512 a year.

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. During the 2020-2021 year, about 52% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Full Northcentral Technical College Report

#2

Madison Area Technical College

Madison, Wisconsin
1,263 Total Awards
$6,812 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Madison Area Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Wisconsin. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 1,263 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Madison College are $6,812 a year.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Madison College does offer online classes for certain majors. In fact, around 67% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Madison College also made our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list, coming in at #1.

Full Madison Area Technical College Report

#3

Moraine Park Technical College

Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
931 Total Awards
$6,793 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent basic certificate programs at Moraine Park Technical College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best value trade school schools in Wisconsin. Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 931 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Moraine Park Technical College are $6,793 per year.

Online courses are available at Moraine Park Technical College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2020-2021 year, about 42% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Moraine Park Technical College also made our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list, coming in at #3.

Read full report on Moraine Park Technical College

#4

Fox Valley Technical College

Appleton, Wisconsin
1,945 Total Awards
$6,977 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 15 schools in Wisconsin that were part of this year’s value ranking, Fox Valley Technical College landed the # 4 spot on the list. FVTC is a public institution located in Appleton, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,945 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at FVTC are $6,977 per year.

Some students may be able 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.

FVTC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list.

Full Fox Valley Technical College Report

#5

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin
1,280 Total Awards
$6,793 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Chippewa Valley Technical College is a great place for trade school students working on their basic certificate who want the most bang for their educational buck. CVTC is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,280 basic certificates to qualified students.

CVTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,793 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that CVTC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 47% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

CVTC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list.

Read full report on Chippewa Valley Technical College

#6

Blackhawk Technical College

Janesville, Wisconsin
487 Total Awards
$6,793 Average Tuition & Fees

Blackhawk Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in Janesville, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 487 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

BTC undergraduate students pay an average of $6,793 in tuition and fees each year.

You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BTC. In fact, around 45% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Read More…

#7

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

Shell Lake, Wisconsin
947 Total Awards
$6,624 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #7, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Shell Lake, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 947 students in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WITC are $6,624 per year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at WITC. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 73% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

WITC did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our Best Basic Certificate Trade Schools in Wisconsin list.

Read full report on Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College

1,319 Total Awards
$6,965 Average Tuition & Fees

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #8 on the list. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College is a fairly large public school located in Green Bay, Wisconsin that handed out 1,319 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NWTC are $6,965 a year.

One thing to take note of is that NWTC does offer online classes in some areas. In 2020-2021 about 41% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Northeast Wisconsin Technical College Report

#9

Gateway Technical College

Kenosha, Wisconsin
1,757 Total Awards
$6,917 Average Tuition & Fees

Gateway Technical College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value basic certificate trade school programs. Gateway Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Kenosha, Wisconsin. It awarded 1,757 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Gateway Technical College are $6,917 a year.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Gateway Technical College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 36% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Gateway Technical College

#10

Waukesha County Technical College

Pewaukee, Wisconsin
978 Total Awards
$6,722 Average Tuition & Fees

Waukesha County Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #10 on the list. Located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 978 diplomas to qualifed basic certificate students in 2021-2022.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at WCTC are $6,722 a year.

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.

Full Waukesha County Technical College Report

#11

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin
483 Total Awards
$6,788 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #11, Western Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. Western Technical College is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 483 basic certificates to qualified students.

Western Technical College undergraduate students pay an average of $6,788 in tuition and fees each year.

One thing to take note of is that Western Technical College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 63% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Western Technical College

#12

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Fennimore, Wisconsin
244 Total Awards
$6,731 Average Tuition & Fees

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Wisconsin 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.

Southwest Tech undergraduate students pay an average of $6,731 in tuition and fees each year.

Southwest Tech 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 35% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.

Read More…

#13

Lakeshore Technical College

Cleveland, Wisconsin
388 Total Awards
$6,326 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #13, Lakeshore Technical College did quite well on this year’s best value schools for trade school students working on their basic certificate. LTC is a small public school situated in Cleveland, Wisconsin. It awarded 388 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LTC are $6,326 per year.

LTC 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. In 2020-2021 about 66% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#14

Mid-State Technical College

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin
435 Total Awards
$6,850 Average Tuition & Fees

Mid-State Technical College ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Trade School Basic Certificate Schools in Wisconsin list. Mid-State Technical College is a small public school located in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin that handed out 435 basic certificates in 2021-2022.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Mid-State are $6,850 per year.

Mid-State does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In 2020-2021 about 64% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
905 Total Awards
$7,018 Average Tuition & Fees

Milwaukee Area Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for trade school students to get a basic certificate. It came in at #15 on the list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out basic certificates to 905 students in 2021-2022.

MATC undergraduate students pay an average of $7,018 in tuition and fees each year.

MATC does offer online classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 60% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2020-2021.

Full Milwaukee Area Technical College Report

Best Value Trade Basic Certificate Schools in the Great Lakes Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 15 schools only.

References

  • 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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