Best Community Colleges in Wisconsin

Three convenient campuses located in Fond du Lac, Beaver Dam, and West Bend -- along with smaller regional centers in Jackson and Ripon -- make Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) an accessible option for residents seeking top community colleges in Wisconsin. The institution enrolls approximately 17,000 credit and noncredit students each year across all five locations.

MPTC offers programs for more than 100 career pathways in high-demand fields such as agriculture, education, health sciences, manufacturing, and public safety. The college offers 25 associate degrees, technical programs, and certificates in online and blended formats.

Graduates who do not become employed in their program's field or a related field within six months of graduation can take up to six additional credits at no cost.

Prospective students must provide an application, a $30 fee, and high school transcripts. Candidates must complete placement testing unless exempt through prior learning, a GPA of 3.25 or higher, or excellent ACT scores.

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (SWTC) provides education and training opportunities relevant to the needs of students, employers, and the local community. The rural campus, located on U.S. Highway 18 in Fennimore, offers on-site housing, sports and recreation, and more than a dozen student organizations.

The college organizes certificates and associate degrees into 13 career clusters including business management and administration, health sciences, hospitality and tourism, and manufacturing. Additionally, SWTC delivers an individualized technical studies degree and a transfer-ready liberal arts degree.

SWTC maintains articulation agreements with numerous colleges and universities to help maximize credit transferability. Students can also take advantage of SWTC's online, evening, and weekend options, while distance learners can earn seven different associate degrees entirely online.

Applicants must submit transcripts and a $30 processing fee. The school encourages prospective students to apply early, as some programs at this popular Wisconsin community college fill quickly.

With a main campus in Cleveland and two regional centers located in Sheboygan and Manitowoc, Lakeshore College (LC) serves more than 10,000 credit and noncredit students each year. Learners can participate in the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, leadership and professional development training, student organizations, and cultural conversation events.

LC offers more than 70 one- and two-year associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates in addition to a variety of continuing education programs. A majority of credit-seeking students attend on a part-time basis.

The most popular associate degree options at LTC include accounting, business management, human resource administration, and nursing. Distance learners can earn 10 associate degrees (requiring 60-64 credits) and seven technical diplomas (requiring 24-30 credits) completely online.

All applicants must pay a fee of $30. Prospective students must select a program, submit all applicable transcripts, and fulfill placement testing requirements by submitting ACT scores or taking the ACCUPLACER exam.

Approximately 23,000 students attend Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) each year, creating one of the most active and vibrant community colleges in Wisconsin. WCTC offers more than two dozen student clubs, service-learning opportunities, and short-term study abroad experiences through two campuses located in Pewaukee and Waukesha.

WCTC offers academic programs across four schools: applied technologies, business, health, and protective and human services. Students can pursue a two-year associate of applied science, a hands-on technical diploma, a short-term certificate, or an apprenticeship that combines coursework and paid, on-the-job training.

Six accelerated dual-degree options -- including a cybersecurity specialist/network specialist pathway and a human resources/leadership development pathway -- prepare graduates with marketable skills for multiple industries.

WCTC admissions require an online application, a $30 fee, and any applicable transcripts. Prospective students must demonstrate math, reading, and writing skills through a qualifying high school GPA, ACT scores, prior college coursework, or placement testing.

Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC) is a public institution serving more than 50,000 residents of Appleton and the Fox Cities area each year. Several regional education centers expand and supplement the academic services offered by the main campus located in Grand Chute. FVTC also maintains transfer agreements with more than 30 four-year institutions.

Students can choose from over 200 associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificate programs across 15 disciplines, including information technology, manufacturing, aviation, and agriculture. Online students can complete 37 of those programs without ever stepping foot on campus.

A flight school and nationally recognized public safety training center help FVTC stand out from other community colleges in Wisconsin. Notable academic offerings in aircraft maintenance, aircraft rescue and firefighting, emergency medical services, and law enforcement provide extensive hands-on training using state-of-the-art simulations.

Applicants to FVTC must complete a short admissions form and skills assessment, provide applicable transcripts, and pay a $30 fee. Additional requirements may apply for certain programs.

Nicolet College offers programs to residents of approximately 4,000 square miles including Oneida, Vilas, and Forest counties. With a main campus in Rhinelander supplemented by multiple learning centers, this public two-year technical college enrolls just under 2,000 students each year, 84% of whom attend classes part time.

Students can choose from more than 70 associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates at Nicolet. Available formats include day, evening, and online courses. Learners can also save money by fulfilling their general education requirements through an associate of arts degree or an associate of science degree.

Other academic options at Nicolet center around careers and feature disciplines like business, culinary arts, information technology, and trades. Twenty-three programs feature one or more transfer agreements with four-year institutions.

Prospective students must complete an application, submit official high school transcripts or a GED/HESD certificate, and complete required placement assessments.

Northwood Technical College enrolls approximately 3,000 students across four campuses in Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, and Superior. Each location offers a variety of options for outdoor recreation as well as arts and cultural activities.

Northwood Tech offers programs in more than 60 career areas. Students can also choose from over 100 associate degrees and certificates in fields such as early childhood education, farm operation, marine repair, and nonprofit leadership. Twenty-six programs offer 100% online completion options.

Academic advisors can guide students toward fulfilling the transfer requirements for various four-year institutions. All campus locations offer student organizations, events, and dining options. 

Admission requires an online application and a $30 fee. Placement testing and additional requirements apply for certain programs. New students can complete orientation online or in person.

One of the largest community colleges in Wisconsin, Gateway Technical College (GTC) serves more than 20,000 students each year from three main campuses in Elkhorn, Kenosha, and Racine and six regional education centers.

GTC offers over 70 associate degrees and technical programs across more than a dozen areas including architecture, communication and design, human services, and veterinary science. Nineteen fully online options include a transferable associate degree in the foundations of teacher education.

On-campus students can participate in clubs and organizations, internships, service learning, and study abroad experiences. GTC maintains nearly 50 transfer agreements with four-year colleges and universities.

Prospective students should specify a preferred start term and desired program of study on their application. Applicants must submit a $30 fee, applicable transcripts, and scores from placement tests.

Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) serves an 11-county area, with a main campus in Eau Claire and eight individual education centers. Students can participate in more than 50 clubs, study abroad opportunities, and campus events.

CVTC offers programs across 11 career clusters. Students can choose from 35 certificates, 110 associate and technical programs, and 13 apprenticeships in fields such as dental hygiene, digital marketing, animal science management, and paralegal studies.

A flexible associate of science in liberal arts serves as an excellent choice for university-bound students who want to fulfill general education requirements and/or explore a variety of interests while they study. Distance learners can complete 12 programs entirely online.

Prospective students must submit a completed application and a $30 fee. Academic requirements vary by discipline, but many CVTC programs require no entrance exams or test scores.

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC) serves nine counties with three campuses in Green Bay, Marinette, and Sturgeon Bay, as well as five additional regional learning centers. With more than 40,000 students each year, NWTC's annual enrollment ranks among the largest of all community colleges in Wisconsin.

NWTC offers more than 200 associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates in fields such as digital arts, energy, human services, and STEM. A general studies certificate -- available at every NWTC location -- allows students to complete freshman-level university courses before transferring to a four-year school as a sophomore.

Flexible learning options include 39 online programs and accelerated eight-week course sessions.

Prospective students must submit an application and official transcripts and pay a $10-$30 fee. Learners can seek more than 600 different scholarships through the NWTC Educational Foundation.