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2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin
With all the trade school programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best 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 Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. This report analyzed 74 schools in Wisconsin to see which ones were the most popular programs for trade school students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Fox Valley Technical College to be the most popular school for trade school students in Wisconsin. Located in Appleton, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school handed out 3,648 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,430 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from FVTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,943 during the early years of their career. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
The programs at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College helped the school earn the #2 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular trade school schools in Wisconsin. NWTC is a fairly large public school situated in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It awarded 3,012 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $13,554 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from NWTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,536 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 65% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Milwaukee Area Technical College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fairly large public school awarded 2,697 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $15,137 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, MATC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,516 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Madison Area Technical College. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,280 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,784 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, Madison College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,202 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Chippewa Valley Technical College is a great place for trade school students. CVTC is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,576 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,817 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, CVTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,325 during the early year of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
Northcentral Technical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. North Central Technical College is a medium-sized public school situated in Wausau, Wisconsin. It awarded 2,240 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $8,901 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from North Central Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $33,732 during the early years of their career. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Gateway Technical College ranked #7 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. This medium-sized public school is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and it awarded 2,683 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,742 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Gateway Technical College graduates make an average of $34,772 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Waukesha County Technical College ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. WCTC is located in Pewaukee, Wisconsin and has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 2,019 degrees to qualified students.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,038 in student loans. During the early years of their career, WCTC graduates make an average of $38,058 annually. Around 53% of those degree recipients were women.
Moraine Park Technical College ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin list. Moraine Park Technical College is a public institution located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1,719 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $10,552 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Moraine Park Technical College graduates make an average of $37,031 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. WITC is located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,764 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from WITC accumulate an average of $9,791 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from WITC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,898 during the early years of their career. Around 56% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #11, Western Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Located in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 1,316 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Western Technical College accumulate an average of $12,988 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Western Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,508 during the early years of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #12, Mid-State Technical College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 882 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Mid-State accumulate an average of $8,425 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Mid-State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,188 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
Lakeshore Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #13 on the list. Located in Cleveland, Wisconsin, the small public school awarded 896 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $8,125 in student loans.After graduating from LTC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $34,201 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 56% were women.
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Fennimore, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 668 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Southwest Tech accumulate an average of $8,776 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Southwest Tech graduates make an average of $36,231 annually. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Blackhawk Technical College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #15 on the list. BTC is a small public school situated in Janesville, Wisconsin. It awarded 795 degrees in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from BTC accumulate an average of $10,247 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, BTC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,255 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
The Institute of Beauty and Wellness came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the very small private for-profit school awarded 216 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from The Institute of Beauty and Wellness accumulate an average of $7,799 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $110. Once they receive their degree, The Institute of Beauty and Wellness graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $26,033 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 96% were women.
Nicolet Area Technical College landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Nicolet Area Technical College is located in Rhinelander, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 419 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Nicolet Area Technical College accumulate an average of $10,114 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Nicolet Area Technical College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $31,521 during the early years of their career. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #18, Herzing University - Madison did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for trade school students working. Herzing University - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and has a small student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 1,016 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from Herzing University - Madison accumulate an average of $28,991 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $175.After graduating from Herzing University - Madison, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,556 during the early years of their career. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. UWM is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 5,987 degrees to qualified students.
On average, students take out $29,590 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $197. Once they receive their degree, UWM graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,205 during the early year of their career. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. Wauwatosa, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 357 students in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,522 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $139, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Bryant & Stratton College - Wauwatosa, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $32,877 during the early years of their career. Around 85% of those degree recipients were women.
Herzing University - Brookfield did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Brookfield, Wisconsin, the very small private not-for-profit school handed out 153 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $29,871 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $186.After graduating from Herzing University - Brookfield, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,358 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.
University of Wisconsin - Stout landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular trade school programs. Located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school awarded 1,737 diplomas to qualifed students in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $23,533 in loans while pursuing their degree. Once they receive their degree, UW - Stout graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $46,261 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 50% were women.
Rasmussen University - Wisconsin came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the very small private for-profit school handed out 303 degrees in 2021-2022.
On average, students take out $22,566 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $168, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Rasmussen University - Wisconsin, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,940 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 93% were women.
University of Wisconsin - Platteville came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Trade Schools in Wisconsin ranking. Located in Platteville, Wisconsin, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,708 degrees in 2021-2022.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,184 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $228 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UW - Platteville graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $50,080 during the early year of their career. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.
Herzing University - Kenosha did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for trade school students. It came in at #25 on the list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this very small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 257 students in 2021-2022.
Degree recipients from Herzing University - Kenosha accumulate an average of $30,378 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $186 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Herzing University - Kenosha graduates make an average of $44,351 annually. Around 87% of those degree recipients were women.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 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.