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Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, Wisconsin · Public technical college

CNA classesLPN / LVN programsEMT & paramedic trainingWelding schoolsCDL / truck driving schoolsHVAC schoolsMedical assistant programsAuto mechanic schoolsLineman schoolsCulinary & pastry schoolsCosmetology schoolsConstruction trades programsElectrician schoolsDental assistant schoolsCNC & machining programsDental hygiene programsNail technician schoolsRadiology & sonography programsSurgical technologist programsMedical billing & coding programs
50%completion rate · Wisconsin avg 63%
$11,432median debt of graduates
$43,630median earnings, 6 yrs after entry
$46,297median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
not reportedannual cost of attendance
Yesfederal aid (FAFSA / Pell) eligible
Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing | American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation | American Physical Therapy Association, Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Edu | Higher Learning Commission | Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (Accredited)
Address: 620 W Clairemont Ave, Eau Claire, WI 54701 · Phone: (715) 833-6200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Accountability record (federal accreditation database, last 36 months; Department of Education oversight)
Sanction on record, since lifted — Nov 2025 · Probation · American Physical Therapy Association; Aug 2026 · Renewal of Accreditation.
Sanctions are probation, warning, show-cause and loss-of-accreditation actions by any recognized accreditor, including program-specific accreditors (a nursing-program probation counts for the campus). Routine monitoring reviews and voluntary withdrawals are not counted. Ask the school what the action concerned and how it was resolved.

Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public trade school in Eau Claire, WI offering CNA classes, LPN programs, and EMT training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and other specialized bodies.

Chippewa Valley Technical College has a 50.0% completion rate, below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is $11,432 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $46,297.

Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 17.4% of students receive Pell Grants.

Completion rate vs. benchmarks
Chippewa Valley Techn… Chippewa Valley Techn…: 50% 50% Wisconsin average Wisconsin average: 62.8% 62.8% National average National average: 62.1% 62.1%

What these trades pay once you're working

OccupationStarting (10th pct)MedianExperienced (75th)
Nursing assistants$37,900$45,130$47,320
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses$51,820$63,760$75,010
Emergency medical technicians$33,550$43,060$49,960
Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers$47,060$58,410$62,220
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers$44,920$58,610$63,870
HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers$45,930$61,710$79,100
Medical assistants$39,480$48,680$55,000
Automotive service technicians and mechanics$36,590$54,350$69,570
Electrical power-line installers and repairers$58,330$105,820$112,150
Chefs and head cooks$41,990$61,300$74,080
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists$23,790$36,230$47,060
Construction laborers$37,990$56,100$72,130
Electricians$44,830$76,540$93,780
Dental assistants$39,500$47,520$55,630
Machinists$40,600$59,110$63,350
Dental hygienists$80,370$96,540$100,750
Manicurists and pedicurists$20,950$36,680$45,750
Radiologic technologists and technicians$61,870$79,140$88,210
Surgical technologists$59,410$74,120$79,010
Medical records specialists$46,750$60,280$66,140

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Wisconsin (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.

Trade programs at this campus

ProgramCredentialGrads / yrEarnings, yr 1Earnings, yr 2Median debt
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Certificate, under 300 hours 354 not reported not reported $11,562
Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants Certificate, 1–2 years 151 not reported not reported $11,562
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Certificate, under 300 hours 133 $38,761 $39,369 $8,281
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 300–899 hours 75 $44,951 $44,126 $9,250
Ground Transportation Certificate, 300–899 hours 65 $40,786 $41,087 not reported
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Certificate, 1–2 years 46 not reported not reported $5,500
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 1–2 years 34 $44,951 $44,126 $9,250
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers Certificate, 1–2 years 30 $59,720 $67,899 $5,500
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Certificate, 1–2 years 26 $29,277 $27,367 $9,994
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 1–2 years 25 $25,996 $21,660 $8,174
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers Certificate, 300–899 hours 22 $59,720 $67,899 $5,500
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection Certificate, 1–2 years 21 not reported not reported not reported
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Certificate, 300–899 hours 19 $31,153 $26,933 not reported
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Associate degree 16 $49,999 $49,436 not reported
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 15 $56,756 $50,970 $13,750
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Associate degree 15 $29,386 $30,554 $17,500
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 15 $25,996 $21,660 $8,174
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Certificate, 1–2 years 13 $38,761 $39,369 $8,281
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 2–4 years 12 $44,951 $44,126 $9,250
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Associate degree 11 not reported not reported not reported
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services Associate degree 10 $29,386 $30,554 $17,500
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 10 not reported not reported not reported
Health and Medical Administrative Services Associate degree 10 not reported $32,569 not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 10 $37,032 $29,374 $9,500
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 10 $37,032 $29,374 $9,500
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 300–899 hours 9 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 300–899 hours 8 $37,032 $29,374 $9,500
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Associate degree 7 $56,756 $50,970 $13,750
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 1–2 years 7 $44,951 $44,126 $9,250
Culinary Arts and Related Services Certificate, 1–2 years 6 not reported not reported not reported
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 6 $37,032 $29,374 $9,500
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions Certificate, 1–2 years 4 $38,761 $39,369 $8,281
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection Associate degree 2 not reported not reported not reported
Culinary Arts and Related Services Associate degree 2 not reported not reported not reported
Precision Metal Working Certificate, 2–4 years 2 $44,951 $44,126 $9,250
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Certificate, under 300 hours 1 not reported not reported $5,500
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) Certificate, 300–899 hours 1 not reported not reported $5,500
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians Certificate, 1–2 years 1 $37,032 $29,374 $9,500

Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.

Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.

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About this school

Chippewa Valley Technical College is a public trade and career school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. It is accredited by several specialized bodies, including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the Higher Learning Commission, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology. Students can use federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, at this school. The campus awards 38 program families, most commonly CNA classes, LPN/LVN programs, and EMT & paramedic training.

Federal data shows a completion rate of 50.0%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $11,432, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $46,297. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 17.4% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a portion of the student body qualifies for need-based federal aid.

With 1,204 trade completers among an undergraduate enrollment of 4,272 in a small-city setting, this campus offers a range of short certificate programs alongside longer allied-health tracks such as LPN and radiology technology, which may suit both new students and adult career changers depending on program length, though specific schedules are not detailed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcomes directly through the College Scorecard or by contacting the school, since figures such as annual cost are not reported for this campus in federal data.

Questions students ask

What trade and career programs does this campus offer?

Chippewa Valley Technical College offers 38 program families, most commonly CNA classes, LPN/LVN programs, and EMT & paramedic training.

Is this school accredited, and by whom?

Yes, it is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, the Higher Learning Commission, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?

Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so FAFSA and Pell Grants can be used.

What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?

The completion rate is 50.0%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%, per federal data.

How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?

Median debt for graduates is $11,432, according to federal data.

What do graduates of this school earn?

Median earnings 10 years after entry are $46,297, per federal data.

How much does it cost to attend for a year?

Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (715) 833-6200 or visit its website for current tuition figures.

Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?

This is a public institution, which can affect tuition rates and eligibility for certain state or federal aid programs compared to private schools.

How long do the programs here take to complete?

Program lengths are not detailed in the provided data; contact the school directly to ask about specific program durations.

How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?

You can check the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?240116 or contact the listed accreditors directly to confirm current status.

Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?

The data shows a mix of short certificate programs and longer allied-health tracks, which may suit adult learners depending on schedule needs, but specific career-changer accommodations are not reported in federal data.

How do I contact the school or apply?

You can reach Chippewa Valley Technical College at (715) 833-6200 or through its website, https://www.cvtc.edu/.

What share of students receive Pell Grants here?

About 17.4% of students at this campus receive Pell Grants, according to federal data.

How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?

Comparative data on nearby schools offering the same trades is not reported in federal data; check the College Scorecard for side-by-side comparisons.

Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.

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