Best Trade Schools in Wisconsin for 2025

Trades are typically viewed as any jobs that require a specialized skill set, often with stable careers and little to no college education required.

They include things like construction, electrical work, and plumbing, but can also include jobs in the culinary arts, cosmetology, massage therapy, and healthcare.

Keep reading to discover some of the top trade schools in Wisconsin for 2024.

Featured Trade Schools in Wisconsin

There are a little over a dozen public or private, non-profit two-year colleges that offer trade programs in Wisconsin.

We've listed 10 of the top trade schools in Wisconsin below in alphabetical order. All colleges listed are members of the Wisconsin Technical College System.

1. Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College is a public technical school in Janesville. It offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificate programs, and apprenticeship programs.

Trade programs are available in fields like:

• construction
• culinary arts
• health sciences
• manufacturing
• transportation and logistics

The college offers apprenticeship programs for electricians, machinists, maintenance technicians, mechatronics technicians, and HVAC technicians.

2. Chippewa Valley Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public technical college based in Eau Claire. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeship programs on campus and online.

Students can learn trades in fields such as:

• architecture and construction
• culinary sciences
• EMT/paramedic training
• health sciences
• human services
• manufacturing
• transportation and logistics

Multiple apprenticeships are available through CVTC in construction, early childhood education, IT, manufacturing, and roadway maintenance.

3. Fox Valley Technical College

Fox Valley Technical College is a public technical college in Appleton. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, and apprenticeships in person and online.

Trade programs are available in fields like:

• aviation
• construction
• culinary arts
• emergency medical services
• engineering technologies
• health science
• manufacturing
• personal services
• transportation

FVTC offers several apprenticeship programs in construction, culinary arts, early childhood education, manufacturing, personal services, and truck driving.

4. Gateway Technical College

Gateway Technical College is a public technical college based in Kenosha. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeship programs on campus and online.

Students can learn trades in fields such as:

• architecture and construction
• automotive and transportation
• culinary arts
• emergency services
• healthcare
• personal services

Apprenticeships are available for careers like arborist, cosmetologist, HVAC technician, machine repair technician, maintenance technician, and plumbing.

5. Lakeshore Technical College

Lakeshore Technical College is a public community college in Cleveland. It offers associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships in person and online.

Trade programs are available in fields like:

• architecture and construction
• emergency services
• health sciences
• transportation and logistics

This top community college in Wisconsin offers a handful of apprenticeships, including for industrial electricians, machinists, maintenance mechanics and technicians, and tool and die makers.

6. Moraine Park Technical College

Moraine Park Technical College is a public technical college in Fond du Lac. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeship programs on campus and online.

Students can learn trades in fields such as:

• architecture and construction
• culinary arts
• emergency services
• health sciences
• personal services
• manufacturing
• transportation and logistics

The college offers apprenticeship programs for students in areas like carpentry, cosmetology, tool and die technologies, and for students wanting to be electricians, maintenance technicians, and wastewater treatment plant operators.

7. Northcentral Technical College

Northcentral Technical College (NTC) is a public community college in Wausau. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, certificate programs, and apprenticeship programs in person and online.

Trade programs are available in fields like:

• architecture and construction
• culinary arts
• emergency services
• health sciences
• manufacturing
• personal services
• transportation and logistics

Over a dozen apprenticeship programs are available for auto collision technicians, electrical technicians, machinists, medical assistants, plumbing, and tool and die makers, just to name a few.

8. Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College is a public technical college based in Shell Lake. It offers associate degrees, certificates, diplomas, and apprenticeship programs on campus and online.

Students can learn trades in fields such as:

• architecture and construction
• health sciences
• manufacturing
• personal services
• transportation and logistics

The college offers a handful of apprenticeship programs, including apprenticeships in carpentry, cosmetology, electrical construction, and plumbing.

9. Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public technical college in Fennimore. It offers associate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships in person and online.

Trade programs are available in fields like:

• architecture and construction
• automotive
• health sciences
• manufacturing
• personal services

A few apprenticeships are available from Southwest Tech, such as apprenticeships for construction electricians, industrial electricians, mechatronics technicians, and plumbers.

10. Western Technical College

Western Technical College is a public technical college in La Crosse. It offers associate degrees, certificates, diplomas, and apprenticeship programs on campus and online.

Students can learn trades in fields such as:

• architecture and construction
• emergency services
• health sciences
• manufacturing
• transportation and logistics

The college offers several apprenticeships, including those for electricians, maintenance mechanics, metal fabricators, plumbers, and steamfitters.

Common Trade Jobs in Wisconsin

Many of the trades are common in Wisconsin. Some of the most popular trade jobs in Wisconsin include:

• truck drivers
• nurses
• construction workers
• carpenters
• welding and soldering workers
• automotive service technicians
• electricians
• machinists
• mechanics
• plumbers

How Much Does Trade School Cost in Wisconsin?

There is no data for trade programs specifically, but the Education Data Initiative does offer statistics for two-year colleges.

On average, a public two-year college costs $4,476 per year in tuition and fees for students who are residents of Wisconsin.

Out-of-state residents pay an average of $6,499 per year in tuition and fees. This does not account for things like housing and meals.

Are There Online Trade Schools in Wisconsin?

Most of the online colleges listed above offer online programs, but not all trades are available online. This is because many trades require hands-on learning experiences.

Even if your trade isn't available online, it may still be possible for you to take a portion of your courses online. Check with your admissions counselor to see how much of your program can be done online.

Explore Trade Schools Today

Wisconsin offers several schools with trade programs, including programs that offer apprenticeships. Check out the featured trade schools in Wisconsin listed above to find the perfect fit for you today.