10 Cheapest Colleges In Wisconsin By In And Out-of-State Tuition

Studying to acquire a degree in Wisconsin does not come cheap even if you are a U.S. citizen. You will not only pay for tuition as you will have to pay other costs that cover accommodation, books, supplies, etc. Fortunately, there are colleges in Wisconsin that offer affordable tuition to both in-state and out-of-state students. These cheapest colleges in Wisconsin have been outlined in this article for you.

Wisconsin, widely known as America’s dairyland has a rich agricultural heritage. The state comprises cities that have a rich history of cultural and ethnic diversity.

This cultural diversity enables local and international students to settle in comfortably while pursuing their degrees. If you are studying in Wisconsin, you will not only have a world-class experience but also a wide range of fascinating activities to choose from.

While colleges in other states in the U.S. charge high tuition fees, Wisconsin has colleges that offer the cheapest tuition you can find in the nation. If you are not a resident of Wisconsin (out-of-state), you will find colleges in the state that offer affordable tuition. Additionally, international students who cannot qualify for in-state tuition can get affordable colleges where they can acquire a degree in Wisconsin.

Is there free college in Wisconsin?

No. There is no free college in Wisconsin. If you wish to study in any college in Wisconsin, you will have to pay tuition and other fees. Luckily, Wisconsin has a host of colleges that offer cheap tuition to both in-state and out-of-state students.

If you want to study for free in any college in Wisconsin, then you will have to win a scholarship to finance your studies.

The average tuition and fees for colleges in Wisconsin are $6,520 for in-state and $20,515 for out-of-state.

How do I find cheap colleges in Wisconsin?

There are several cheap colleges in the state of Wisconsin. If you live within Wisconsin, you can find these colleges around you. For out-of-state and international students, you can find affordable colleges in Wisconsin on the internet.

Some of the cheapest colleges in Wisconsin include the College of Menominee Nation, Madison Area Technical College, University of Phoenix Madison Campus, and the University of Phoenix Milwaukee Campus.

What are the requirements to study in Wisconsin?

Each college or university sets its own requirements for admission into its academic programs. If you want to study in Wisconsin, it is advised that you apply to more than one school so as to increase your chances of admission. Keep in mind that admission spaces are limited and you will be with students from all over the world.

If you wish to study in a college or university in Wisconsin, you will have to meet the following requirements:

  • Official high school transcripts
  • A minimum GPA of 2.50
  • Test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT)
  • Résumé/CV
  • Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement
  • Non-native English speakers must show proficiency in the English language (TOEFL or IELTS)

Cheapest Colleges in Wisconsin By In-State Tuition

Most higher institutions in Wisconsin offer cheaper tuition to residents of Wisconsin (in-state). So, if you are resident in Wisconsin (in-state), below are the cheapest colleges for you:

  • Madison Area Technical College
  • Northcentral Technical College
  • Mid-State Technical College
  • Blackhawk Technical College
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Gateway Technical College

Cheapest Colleges in Wisconsin By Out-of-State Tuition

Non-residents of Wisconsin who are studying in a college or university in the state usually have higher tuition fees than in-state students.

If you are an in-state student and you are looking for colleges in Wisconsin that offer affordable and high-quality education, below are the cheapest colleges in Wisconsin for out-of-state students:

  • Madison Area Technical College
  • Northcentral Technical College
  • Mid-State Technical College
  • Blackhawk Technical College
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Gateway Technical College

The Cheapest Colleges In Wisconsin

If you are an in-state, out-of-state, or international student, you can pursue a college degree on the cheap. The affordable colleges in Wisconsin also offer high-quality education in a wide range of academic fields.

We compiled the cheapest colleges in Wisconsin based on the tuition fees they charge per credit hour.

Thus, the cheapest colleges in Wisconsin include:

  • Madison Area Technical College
  • Northcentral Technical College
  • Mid-State Technical College
  • Blackhawk Technical College
  • Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Gateway Technical College
  • Milwaukee Area Technical College
  • Fox Valley Technical College
  • Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College
  • College of Menominee Nation

1. Madison Area Technical College

Madison Area Technical College (Madison College) is a public technical and community college in Madison, Wisconsin that was founded in 1912. The college serves students in twelve counties in south-central Wisconsin.

As of the 2019/2020 academic year, Madison Area Technical College had an enrollment of 30,065 students.

Madison College offers over 180 associate degrees and technical diploma programs along with trade apprenticeships and other certifications. The college offers these programs in eleven fields of study including:

  • Architecture & Engineering
  • Arts, Design & Humanities
  • Business
  • Construction, Manufacturing & Maintenance
  • Culinary, Hospitality & Fitness
  • Education & Social Sciences
  • Health Sciences
  • Information Technology
  • Law, Protective & Human Services
  • Science, Math and Natural Resources
  • Transportation

Madison College’s Liberal Arts transfer program offers associate of arts and associate of sciences degrees that are equivalent to the first two years of general studies at some universities.

The college has six liberal arts pre-majors that are designed for transfer to four-year institutions. Consequently, Madison College is the largest transfer partner of the University of Wisconsin.

Madison Area Technical College also offers degrees and courses in online and hybrid models to students who may not have the opportunity for on-campus studies due to work or family commitments.

Tuition fees at Madison are as follows:

  • Career focused-porgrams (technical diplomas, associate degrees, certificates & vocational courses): $141 per credit (in-state); $211.50 per credit (out-of-state)
  • Liberal arts transfer courses: $188.90 per credit (in-state); $283.35 per credit (out-of-state)

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2. Northcentral Technical College

Northcentral Technical College (NTC) is a public community college in Wausau, Wisconsin that was established in 1912. The college has membership with the Technical College System. It has many districts in Wisconsin. Its main campus is in Wausau.

NTC has an enrollment of 1,294 undergraduate students.

Northcentral Technical College offers over 190 programs including two-year associate degrees that combine technical skills with general education, one- and two-year technical diplomas that provide concentrated hands-on learning, and short-term certificates.

Tuition Fees: $141.00 per credit (in-state); $211.50 per credit (out-of-state).

NTC holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA).

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3. Mid-State Technical College

Mid-State Technical College (Mid-State) is a public technical college in central Wisconsin that was founded in 1913. It has campuses in the Marshfield, Stevens Point, and Wisconsin Rapids communities. The college also has a learning center in Adams. It has membership with the Wisconsin Technical College System.

While Mid-State has an enrollment of 650 undergraduate students, it offers top-notch education in a variety of academic fields.

At Mid-State, you can pursue degrees in fields of study like Agriculture; Food & Natural Resources; Architecture & Construction; Business Management & Construction; Education & Training; Finance, Health Sciences; Hospitality & Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics; Manufacturing; Law, Public Safety & Security, Marketing; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Tuition Fees: $141.00 per credit (in-state); $211.50 per credit (out-of-state).

Mid-State is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA)

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4. Blackhawk Technical College

Blackhawk Technical College (Blackhawk Tech) is a technical college in Rock County, Wisconsin. It is a member of the Wisconsin Technical College System. Its main campus lies between Beloit and Janesville. Additionally, the college has other locations throughout Wisconsin.

Blackhawk Tech has an enrollment of 14,000 students. The college offers over 60 academic programs and 70 college transfer programs.

Tuition Fees: $141.00 per credit (in-state); $211.50 per credit (out-of-state).

Blackhawk Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

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5. Chippewa Valley Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) is a public technical college in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that was established in 1912. It is a component of the Wisconsin Technical College System.

The college has an enrollment of 7,645 students. CVTC offers 118 programs, 38 certificates, and 13 apprenticeships in a wide range of career fields.

Tuition Fees: $141.00 per credit (in-state); $211.50 per credit (out-of-state). The tuition fee for liberal arts transfer program is $188.90 per credit (in-state); $283.35 per credit (out-of-state).

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6. Gateway Technical College

Founded in 1911, Gateway Technical College (GTC) is a public technical college in southeastern Wisconsin. It is one of the sixteen (16) colleges that make up the Wisconsin Technical College System.

The college has an enrollment of more than 20,000 students. Gateway Tech offers 47 associate degrees, 179 diplomas, and certifications that enable students to build rewarding careers. In addition, GTC offers pre-college courses to enable students to acquire GED and HSED diplomas.

Tuition Fees: $141.00 per credit (in-state); $211.50 per credit (out-of-state).

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7. Milwaukee Area Technical College

Another school on our list of cheapest colleges in Wisconsin is Milwaukee Area Technical College. It is a public community college in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that was established in 1912. It has campuses in downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, West Allis, and Mequon.

The college has an enrollment of approximately 35,000 students. MATC offers associate degree, technical diploma, certificate, and apprenticeship programs in many fields of study. The areas of study include Business & Management; Community & Human Services; Creative Arts, Design & Media; Education; Healthcare; Manufacturing, Construction & Transportation; and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics).

MATC also offers Adult High School, Correctional Education (Second Chance Pell), GED/HSED programs, and English as a Second Language programs.

The tuition fees at Milwaukee Area Technical College are as follows:

  • Associate Degree, Technical Diploma, and Continuing Education: $157.30 per credit (in-state); $227.80 (out-of-state)
  • Four-Year College Transfer: $205.20 per credit (in-state); $299.65 (out-of-state)

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8. Fox Valley Technical College

Fox Valley Technical College (Fox Valley Tech or FVTC) is a public technical college in Grand Chute, Wisconsin that was founded in 1912. It is one of the components of the Wisconsin Technical College System. FVTC has two campuses including Grand Chute and Oshkosh. It also has smaller regional centers in Chilton, Clintonville, Waupaca, and Wautoma.

Fox Valley Tech has an enrollment of 50,000 students. It offers over 200 associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificate programs. FVTC also offers about 20 apprenticeship trades. The college has credit transfer agreements with over 30 four-year colleges and universities in the United States.

Tuition Fees: $158.20 per credit (in-state); $228.70 per credit (out-of-state).

Fox Valley Technical College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

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9. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College

Founded in 1982, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College (LCOOC) is a public tribal land-grant community college in Hayward, Wisconsin. LCOOC is a member of the Wisconsin Tribal Colleges and a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC).

The college has an enrollment of approximately 550 students. Of this number, more than 70 percent of the students are American Indian.

LCOOC offers 13 associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificate programs in fields including Business, Education, Human Services, Legal Studies, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Native American Studies, and Science.

Tuition Fees: $190 per credit (in-state and out-of-state).

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10. College of Menominee Nation

The College of Menominee Nation is another one of the cheapest colleges in Wisconsin.  The school is a private tribal land-grant community college in Green Bay, Wisconsin that was established in 1993. CMN is one of two tribal colleges in the state of Wisconsin. It has two campuses including Keshena (main campus) and Green Bay.

The college of Menominee offers traditional four-year bachelor’s programs, two-year associate’s programs, and specialized technical diplomas in a wide range of career fields. These career fields include Business Administration; Early Childhood Education; Public Administration; Liberal Studies; Sciences; Digital Media; Natural Resources; Pre-Engineering; Agriculture; CNC Mechaninist; Electricity; Welding; and Medical Office Technician.

Tuition Fees: $250 per credit (in-state and out-of-state).

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Conclusion

Attending one of these cheapest colleges in Wisconsin guarantees you won’t have to bother so much about your tuition fees and any other necessary concerns. The programs are quite and the cost of living is considerably cheap as well.

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