With the college costs climbing and student debt remaining a hot debate, public perception of four-year colleges is starting to shift. Now, 33% of all undergraduate students are choosing to attend public, two-year schools.
But how do Wisconsin’s two-year schools compare to the rest of the country? Using data from Niche’s Best Community Colleges in America list, ranking website Stacker compiled a list of the top 100 community colleges and–to our pleasant surprise–Wisconsin dominated.
Here’s where 11 Badger State schools ranked…
#2. Northwood Technical College
Rice Lake
Students: 924
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 5:1
Graduation Rate: 72%
Tuition: $10,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $32,500
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 90%
What Reviews Said: “Students of Northwood Technical College have plenty of opportunities for getting involved on campus, with clubs and organizations from Student Senate to the National Association of Home Builders.”
#3. Fox Valley Technical College
Appleton
Students: 1,800
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 11:1
Graduation Rate: 57%
Tuition: $11,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $36,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 90%
What Reviews Said: “Fox Valley Technical College opened a state-of-the-art public safety training center in 2012, which even has a Boeing 727 donated by FedEx. The college also features a National Criminal Justice Training Center.”
#4. Moraine Park Technical College
Fond Du Lac
Students: 750
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Graduation Rate: 73%
Tuition: $9,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $35,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 89%
What Reviews Said: “The Fond Du Lac campus of Moraine Park Technical College has been a part of the community since 1912. While the initial curriculum focused on drawing and cooking, students can now choose from over 100 different programs.”
#13. Lakeshore Technical College
Cleveland (yes–there’s one in Wisconsin!)
Students: 500
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Graduation Rate: 52%
Tuition: $8,500
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $35,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 90%
What Reviews Said: “Local high school students interested in culinary arts can pair up with college students studying the subject at Lakeshore Technical College. The ‘shadow a chef’ program serves as a learning opportunity both for high schoolers considering this career and students learning valuable leadership skills.”
#18. Western Technical College
La Crosse
Students: 1,600
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Graduation Rate: 67%
Tuition: $9,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $35,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 90%
What Reviews Said: “Western Technical College – Wisconsin is dedicated to sustainability, and has instituted energy-saving initiatives to combat global warming.”
#23. Waukesha County Technical College
Pewaukee
Students: 1,700
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Graduation Rate: 43%
Tuition: $10,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $36,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 89%
What Reviews Said: “Students interested in all walks of life have reason to pursue degrees at Waukesha County Technical College. Alumni include fashion designer Keri Craig-Lee, legislator Paul Farrow, and mixed martial art fighter Ben Rothwell.”
#32. Nicolet Area Technical College
Rhinelander
Students: 260
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 9:1
Graduation Rate: 68%
Tuition: $7,500
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $30,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 87%
What Reviews Said: “Theater lovers will be excited to check out the Nicolet Players Theatre Troupe. The group has put on more than 183 productions in the college theater since its inception.”
#42. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Fennimore
Students: 675
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate: 56%
Tuition: $10,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $33,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 90%
What Reviews Said: “While the focus of the school was once primarily agricultural, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College has since expanded its offerings and is now more holistic, offering courses in health and science.”
#63. Northcentral Technical College
Wausau
Students: 1,200
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Graduation Rate: 39%
Tuition: $10,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $36,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 89%
What Reviews Said: “Northcentral Technical College makes every effort to make students feel they are at a real home away from home, getting a full college experience. The college offers robust dorm life and campus life programs, including a disc golf course for students who want to connect over sports.”
#65. Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay
Students: 2,400
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Graduation Rate: 46%
Tuition: $10,200
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $36,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 89%
What Reviews Said: “Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has transfer agreements with roughly 40 other universities. It is also the only college in Wisconsin to offer boat patrol and dive classes.”
#69. Chippewa Valley Technical College
Eau Claire
Students: 2,000
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Graduation Rate: 52%
Tuition: $10,000
Median Salary Six Years After Graduation: $38,000
Employment Rate Two Years After Graduation: 92%
What Reviews Said: “Chippewa Valley Technical College is extremely vocation-oriented, offering 120 degree tracks and more than a dozen apprenticeship programs. With 12 campus locations, CVTC is easy for students to attend.”
