The 10 cheapest colleges in Wisconsin

Looking for an affordable way to continue your higher education without breaking the bank? Check out the 10 cheapest colleges in Wisconsin to get started today.

Deciding to further your education is the gift that keeps on giving throughout your life—the experiences you have and the things you learn are invaluable. Even so, these lessons often come with a hefty price tag. The good news is that whether you want to build on skills you already have, earn a certificate or an associate degree, or take a step toward a four-year education, getting a jump start on intro courses at a technical college in Wisconsin is an option that’s less likely to break the bank.

All of the schools on this list are technical colleges in Wisconsin. Some students start their education at a technical college, and others choose a path that requires a two-year degree or certification in a trade—many also partner with local four-year colleges for transfer options. If you want to check out affordable four-year colleges and their stats, we also ranked the 10 cheapest UW schools in the state.

For the most accurate and up-to-date tuition, graduation rates, and enrollment numbers, we visited a few different sources, including college websites, U.S. News & World Report, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. So whether you’re looking for a small campus with lots of student activities or a school that makes for an easy transition to a four-year program, there are plenty of schools to choose from. In no particular order, here are the 10 most affordable colleges in Wisconsin.

Northcentral Technical College

Tuition: $149.50 per credit (per school website)

Location: Wausau

Graduation rate: 36%

Northcentral Technical College has been serving the Wausau community for over 100 years (established in 1912). The campus offers more than 190 programs to choose from, and you can stay on campus in the Timberwolf Suites or commute in. The school has a pretty active campus life, with more than 20 student clubs available. 

Blackhawk Technical College

Tuition: $5,165, per year tuition only (per school website)

Location: Janesville

Graduation rate: 42%

When you enroll at Blackhawk Technical College, you can take classes on one of two campuses (Beloit-Janesville or Monroe). This technical college has been serving the community for 112 years. Here, you can find 247 online or on-campus tutoring programs and choose from 15 different student organizations. In 2020, Blackhawk founded an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee, cementing its commitment to these core values. The IDEA committee puts these principles into practice by offering an IDEA scholarship to increase access to education for more students.

Panoramic view of Blackhawk Technical College in Monroe. (Corey Coyle/CC-BY-3.0)

Madison Area Technical College

Tuition: $6,224, per year tuition only (per school website)

Location: Madison

Graduation rate: 35.8%

Choosing to go to Madison Area Technical College means a choice between studying online or at one of its seven campus locations. Here, you can choose from over 190 programs or 140 transfer pathways to continue your education and obtain a four-year degree. If you’re interested in getting involved in student life outside the classroom, you can check out over 50 clubs and organizations spanning 12 different areas. 

Gateway Technical College

Tuition: $4,500, per year tuition only (per school website)

Location: Kenosha

Graduation rate: 32%

No matter how you learn best, Gateway Technical College has a learning option for you either online, in-person or (the best of both worlds) in a hybrid setting. You can choose from 70 different associate degrees and over 160 transfer agreements with four-year schools, so no matter what direction you’re headed after school, Gateway is ready to help you out. This school also offers a study abroad program and over 35 student organizations to join, including a Mind and Body Bootcamp or Women in IT club.

Chippewa Valley Technical College

Tuition: $2,194, per year tuition only (per school website)

Location: Eau Claire

Graduation rate: 47%

The Chippewa Valley Otters are ready to welcome new students into one of its 115-plus programs, 17 certificates, or 16 apprenticeships. You’ll also find 30 clubs and organizations and the opportunity to study abroad. CVTC also celebrates that 94% of graduates are employed six months after graduation. 

2024 aerial view of Chippewa Valley Technical College. (Wikideas1/CC-1.0Universal)

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

Tuition: $4,814, per year tuition only (per school website)

Location: Greenbay

Graduation rate: 45%

When it comes to cost, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College touts itself as unapologetically affordable. Every year, this school offers over $750,000 in scholarships to its students. Here, you’ll also find two-year degrees with four-year futures thanks to transfer degree partners. Those school partners include St. Norbert College, College of Menominee Nation, and more. 

Fox Valley Technical College

Tuition: $4,012, per year tuition only (per school website)

Location: Appleton

Graduation rate: 55%

Fox Valley Technical College helps its students get high-tech occupational training to prepare them for success in their future careers. There are over 200 programs to choose from that landed 91% of students in their chosen field of employment for the 2022-2023 school year; on average, these jobs paid about $58,000 a year after the first six months. Fox Valley is also unique in that it targets continuing adult education through Starting 2.0. This free program is designed to help women ages 18-35 with financial planning skills, empowerment, and career planning.

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Tuition: $4,984, per year tuition only (per school website)

Location: Milwaukee, Mequon, Oak Creek, West Allis, online

Graduation rate: 36%

MATC prides itself on meeting students wherever they are on their educational journey, and it offers flexible options that work with their lifestyles. The school supports students’ education and career goals by helping them hone in on a pathway in Business & Management, Community & Human Services, Creative Arts, Design & Media, General Education, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Construction & Transportation, or STEM. 

Waukesha County Technical College

Tuition: Starting at $149.50 per credit (per school website)

Location: Pewaukee

Graduation rate: 44% 

If you learn better in a smaller setting, Waukesha County Technical College might be for you. The school’s average class size is about 16 students, leaving lots of room for individualized attention. Since 1923, WCTC has provided students with “hands-on higher ed” (meaning you won’t just learn from a textbook). You’ll likely get to apply what you learn through hands-on projects! 

Lakeshore Technical College

Tuition: Starting at $149.50 per credit (per school website)

Location: Cleveland

Graduation rate: 51%

Lakeshore Technical College boasts that its graduates enjoy a 96% employment rate within six months after graduation. There are 121 programs offered at Lakeshore, ranging from accounting to dairy business management. In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Lakeshore College Foundation awarded $268,000 to Lakeshore College spring semester students, exceeding its previous award amounts. In addition to the Cleveland campus, you can take classes at its downtown Manitowoc or downtown Sheboygan locations.

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.