Best Community Colleges in Wisconsin

As of 2023, Wisconsin ranked 20th in terms of population among the 50 states. Wisconsin also houses the most dairy farms in the nation and is second only to California in the number of dairy cows and total milk production. Advanced manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, information technology, life sciences are five key industries in Wisconsin.

The best community colleges in Wisconsin use open-admission policies, and many are relatively affordable. Students with a high school or GED diploma generally earn admission without needing to submit ACT or SAT scores. Major cities like Madison are home to employers from various domains, including healthcare, life sciences, agriculture, manufacturing, and IT.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Prospective students can choose from 27 different community colleges in Wisconsin. These colleges offer more than 500 programs throughout the state, awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates through the Wisconsin Technical College System. About 250,000 students enroll each year.

As of November 2021, Wisconsin’s unemployment rate was 3.0% — well below the national average of 4.2%. Retail trade growth in the state has returned to its pre-pandemic conditions and many other industry areas are rebounding. The median household income in Wisconsin in 2019 was $61,747 — slightly below the national median of $62,843.

As of 2021, Wisconsin ranked near the middle of the pack in terms of affordability — it was the 22nd most-affordable state to reside in. Grocery, housing, and transportation costs are all slightly below average, whereas utility costs in Wisconsin are slightly higher than average.

Wisconsin houses numerous community art, cultural, and heritage organizations, including Big Top Chautauqua, Folklore Village, and the Northern Lakes Center for the Arts. With over 30 urban and rural gallery art studio tours, Wisconsin maintains a burgeoning creative side.

The state also celebrates its rich cultural and ethnic past through annual festivals in Milwaukee, including Summerfest, Germanfest, Irish Fest, and multiethnic festivals such as the Holiday Folk Fair.

Wisconsin experiences a continental climate. The state’s winters suit a variety of winter sports, while its warm summers attract many vacationers each year. Winters are cold and snowy, and temperatures may even drop to -30 degrees Fahrenheit each year.

The Department of Workforce Development projects that Wisconsin will add almost 250,000 new jobs between mid-2020 and mid-2022 — an increase of 8.2%.

According to these projections, the leisure and hospitality industry should experience an increase of almost 50% as pandemic-related restrictions continue to ease. In addition, the trade, transport, and utility industry is projected to experience 9% growth. The education, health services, and construction sectors are all projected to experience 5% job growth.

Registered nurses work on the front lines of healthcare. They identify patients’ needs and ensure that people receive the proper treatment by evaluating medical plans.

Paralegals and legal assistants use their analytical, communication, and organizational skills to carry out complex legal operations, assisting attorneys and other law professionals. Tasks may include research, investigation, and administrative work.

Industrial machinery mechanics work with the internal parts of complex industrial machinery. They maintain machines and instruments and identify potential damage.

Electricians undertake installation and maintenance for various systems, including wiring, control, and lighting systems. They may also make repairs.

Food service managers mainly perform two tasks: provide a satisfactory dining experience for patrons and ensure profitability for the dining establishment. They also supervise and direct food service staff.

Feature Image: Walter Bibikow / DigitalVision / Getty Images