Western Technical College (WTC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About Western Technical College
Set between river bluffs and the Mississippi, Western Technical College is known for practical, hands-on learning that clicks with problem solvers. Faculty lean into real equipment and projects across skilled trades, health, business, and digital technology, so class time feels like workplace time. Students find support through tutoring, advising, a career center, and quiet study nooks alongside labs and maker spaces, plus a fitness center for a quick reset.
Campus life feels grounded and welcoming, with clubs, service opportunities, and intramurals that include commuters and adult learners as much as recent grads. And when you need air, La Crosse's trails, riverfront, and a lively downtown are right there. Western is known for close ties to regional employers, with internships and apprenticeships that open doors or lead to smooth transfer paths. The culture is straightforward, get-it-done, and proudly community focused.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
Western Technical College (WTC) offers 68 degree programs across 13 major academic fields, graduating approximately 1,405 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Health (16 programs, 642 graduates), Business (13 programs, 244 graduates), Mechanics (6 programs, 121 graduates), Security & Safety (3 programs, 74 graduates) and Eng. Technologies (8 programs, 66 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Health (16 programs, 642 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing and Patient Care Assistant | 232 |
|
Residency
Other Award
|
51.3902 |
| Registered Nursing | 129 |
|
Associate's
|
51.3801 |
| Emergency Medical Technology | 113 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Residency
|
51.0904 |
| Medical Assistant | 33 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0801 |
| Psychiatric and Mental Health Services Technician | 26 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1502 |
| Dental Assisting | 19 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0601 |
| Surgical Technology | 15 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0909 |
| Radiologic Technology | 15 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0911 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | 13 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0803 |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | 12 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
51.0716 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy | 11 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0908 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technician | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
51.1004 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0806 |
| Health Information Technology | 5 |
|
Associate's
|
51.0707 |
| Medical Insurance Coding | 5 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
51.0713 |
| Medical Office Assistant | 1 |
|
Other Award
|
51.0710 |
Business (13 programs, 244 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Service Management | 65 |
|
Residency
|
52.0207 |
| Business Administration and Management | 56 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.0201 |
| Accounting | 29 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0301 |
| Digital Marketing | 25 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.1404 |
| Office Management and Supervision | 14 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
52.0204 |
| Human Resources Management | 12 |
|
Associate's
|
52.1001 |
| Sales Skills and Operations | 12 |
|
Other Award
|
52.1804 |
| Accounting and Bookkeeping Technology | 9 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
52.0302 |
| Knowledge Management | 9 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
52.1207 |
| Sales and Marketing Operations | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
52.1801 |
| Administrative Assistant Science | 3 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0401 |
| Hospitality Management | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0901 |
| Finance, General | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
52.0801 |
Mechanics (6 programs, 121 graduates)
Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Mechanics Technology | 65 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0604 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology | 27 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
47.0201 |
| Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology | 21 |
|
Associate's
|
47.0302 |
| Solar Energy System Installation and Repair Technology | 4 |
|
Other Award
|
47.0703 |
| Industrial Mechanics and Maintenance Technology | 3 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
47.0303 |
| Industrial Electronics Technology | 1 |
|
Associate's
|
47.0105 |
Security & Safety (3 programs, 74 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Police Science | 39 |
|
Other Award
|
43.0107 |
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 24 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0104 |
| Fire Science and Firefighting | 11 |
|
Associate's
|
43.0203 |
Eng. Technologies (8 programs, 66 graduates)
Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electromechanical Engineering Technology | 15 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
15.0403 |
| Architectural Engineering Technology | 11 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0101 |
| Computer Engineering Technology | 11 |
|
Associate's
|
15.1201 |
| Biomedical Technology | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0401 |
| Mechanical Drafting and CAD | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
15.1306 |
| Mechatronics and Robotics Engineering Technology | 7 |
|
Associate's
|
15.0407 |
| CAD and CADD Drafting and Design Technology | 2 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
15.1302 |
| Energy Systems Technology | 2 |
|
Associate's
|
15.1701 |
Computer & IT (4 programs, 59 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 26 |
|
Associate's
|
11.1003 |
| Web and Digital Multimedia Design | 17 |
|
Associate's
|
11.0801 |
| Computer Support Specialist | 10 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
11.1006 |
| Network and System Administration | 6 |
|
Other Award
|
11.1001 |
Production (5 programs, 52 graduates)
Manufacturing Technology, Quality Control and Industrial Arts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welding Technology | 43 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
48.0508 |
| Machine Tool Technology | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
48.0501 |
| Tool and Die Technology | 2 |
|
Associate's
Other Award
|
48.0507 |
| Cabinetmaking and Millwork | 2 |
|
Other Award
|
48.0703 |
| CNC Machinist Technology | 1 |
|
Residency
|
48.0510 |
Arts (3 programs, 44 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 21 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0409 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 14 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0401 |
| Interior Design | 9 |
|
Associate's
|
50.0408 |
Construction (3 programs, 29 graduates)
Building Trades, Construction Management and Skilled Crafts
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician | 19 |
|
Associate's
|
46.0302 |
| Plumbing Technology | 6 |
|
Associate's
|
46.0503 |
| Carpentry | 4 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
46.0201 |
Education (2 programs, 27 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher Assistant and Aide | 17 |
|
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
13.1501 |
| Early Childhood Education | 10 |
|
Associate's
|
13.1210 |
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Western Technical College (WTC)
How much does it cost to attend Western Technical College (WTC)?
The annual tuition at Western Technical College (WTC) is $4,716 for in-state students and $6,909 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $17,578 for in-state students and $19,771 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $6,950 (on) / $8,544 (off) and books and supplies $2,060.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does Western Technical College offer?
Western Technical College (WTC) offers 68 academic programs across 13 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Certificate (1-2 yrs), Associate's, Residency, Other Award.
Most popular program areas include:
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (16 programs)
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (13 programs)
- Automotive Technology, Equipment Repair and Maintenance (6 programs)
- Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety (3 programs)
- Applied Engineering Technologies and Technical Support (8 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at Western Technical College?
Western Technical College (WTC) provides financial aid to 16% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,111 and average loans of $5,499.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,264
- State/Local grants: $1,498
- Institutional grants: $1,923
- Federal loans: $5,092
The university supports 454 students with grants and 238 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for Western Technical College graduates?
Western Technical College (WTC) graduates earn a median salary of $41,169 after 6 years and $45,303 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $29,444 (25th percentile) to $63,035 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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