Trade Schools in Wisconsin

Trade schools typically offer certificate and associate degree programs that prepare candidates for entry-level employment in a trade field. Candidates looking to secure employment may opt for the short-term certificates, while those willing to study for a couple of years may go for the associate programs.

Below, we explore some of Wisconsin’s most notable trade schools offering comprehensive training. However, before we go into the list, we also outline some important information that all aspiring trade school students in the state must be familiar with.

Among these are the financial aid options, the possible costs of completing a trade school program in the state, and the accrediting agencies to be conscious of.

Average Cost of Trade Schools in Wisconsin

The average cost of attending a trade school in Wisconsin depends on a few factors, including programmatic and institutional factors.

Programmatic Factors

On a programmatic factor, the program duration and the degree of complexity greatly influence how much it’ll cost to complete a trade program in Wisconsin.

Programs that are shorter in duration are expected to be cheaper than those that are longer. Additionally, programs with high complexity and niche specialization will require costly equipment and be more expensive.

Institutional Factors

On an institutional level, the location of a school, its reputation, accreditation status, and the variety of programs will all influence how much it’ll cost to attend such a school in Wisconsin.

Generally, highly reputable schools in urban environments are more expensive, as are trade schools offering programs with programmatic accreditation from the right agencies and commissions.

Education Cost

Thanks to data from the National Center for Educational Statistics and some trade schools in Wisconsin, it is possible to estimate the average cost of attending private and public trade schools in the state.

Per our findings, the average annual cost of attending a private trade school in Wisconsin is between $10,000 and $22,000, while the average annual cost of attending a public trade school in the state is between $5,000 and $11,000.

Financial Aid for Trade Schools in Wisconsin

Students enrolled in a trade school in Wisconsin often have access to several financial aid programs to help them cover their tuition costs and additional fees. High school graduates applying for a trade school program may also qualify for some of these scholarships and grants.

We take a look at a few notable options below.

• Wisconsin Grant - offers up to $3,150 for residents of Wisconsin who are enrolled in a degree or certificate program at a public school. The state of Wisconsin organizes the grant.

• Wisconsin Restaurant Association Scholarship - offers varying degrees of financial assistance to Wisconsin residents enrolled in a post-secondary school. Candidates must be enrolled in a program related to the restaurant industry.

• Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin Scholarship - The Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin Scholarship offers up to $2,250 for students enrolled in a technical field. The school in question must be part of the Wisconsin Technical College System.

• Notable Mentions - Other notable mentions include the GLHF Scholarships for students with bleeding disorders and the Technical Excellence Scholarship for students who have shown technical proficiency.

Licensing and Accreditation for Trade Schools in Wisconsin

Aspiring trade school students in Wisconsin usually insist on attending an accredited school for several reasons. For one, accredited schools operate at high educational standards, which they have to meet and maintain to be accredited.

Secondly, several financial aid programs insist that candidates attend an accredited school before they can qualify. Accreditation also increases the value of certificates and degrees from a trade school.

In Wisconsin, the Higher Learning Commission is responsible for regional accreditation of trade schools, while the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges is responsible for national accreditation. The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is responsible for accrediting online trade schools.

Specific programs may also have to be accredited. An example is the AWS (American Welding Society) accreditation for welding technology programs.

Top Vocational Trade Schools in Wisconsin

The following are some of Wisconsin’s most prominent trade schools, with enough program options for candidates to choose from.

Notable Mentions

Other notable mentions include Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Lakeshore Technical College in Cleveland, Chippewa Valley Technical College in Eau Claire, Blackhawk Technical College in Janesville, Nicolet College in Rhinelander, and Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Appleton.