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Western Technical College
La Crosse, Wisconsin · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 400 Seventh St. North, La Crosse, WI 54601 · Phone: (608) 785-9200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Western Technical College is a public trade school in La Crosse, WI offering CNA classes, EMT training, and medical assistant programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and others.
Western Technical College has a 34.1% completion rate, below the state average of 62.8%, with median graduate debt of $11,500 and median earnings of $45,303 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data, but Western Technical College accepts federal financial aid including FAFSA and Pell Grants, and 32.2% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $37,900 | $45,130 | $47,320 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $33,550 | $43,060 | $49,960 |
| Medical assistants | $39,480 | $48,680 | $55,000 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,590 | $54,350 | $69,570 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $47,060 | $58,410 | $62,220 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $45,930 | $61,710 | $79,100 |
| Dental assistants | $39,500 | $47,520 | $55,630 |
| Medical records specialists | $46,750 | $60,280 | $66,140 |
| Construction laborers | $37,990 | $56,100 | $72,130 |
| Electricians | $44,830 | $76,540 | $93,780 |
| Surgical technologists | $59,410 | $74,120 | $79,010 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $41,990 | $61,300 | $74,080 |
| Machinists | $40,600 | $59,110 | $63,350 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $50,020 | $81,210 | $103,560 |
| Bus and truck mechanics and diesel engine specialists | $45,250 | $62,450 | $74,800 |
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
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 213 | $27,991 | $20,530 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 80 | $35,604 | not reported | $5,935 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 37 | $36,987 | $33,993 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 31 | $31,954 | $30,962 | $9,208 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 26 | $41,712 | $39,489 | $5,916 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $27,991 | $20,530 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $40,555 | $38,649 | $12,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 14 | $30,011 | $28,960 | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | $35,000 | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 13 | $41,712 | $39,489 | $5,916 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $35,604 | not reported | $5,935 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $47,682 | $47,260 | $11,033 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 10 | $40,555 | $38,649 | $12,000 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 10 | $31,876 | $32,806 | $12,316 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | $7,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | $41,712 | $39,489 | $5,916 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 3 | $47,682 | $47,260 | $11,033 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $35,604 | not reported | $5,935 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | $41,712 | $39,489 | $5,916 |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 1 | $36,987 | $33,993 | $5,500 |
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.
About this school
Western Technical College is a public trade and career school located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The campus is accredited by multiple bodies, including the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and specialized accreditors for dental, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and radiologic technology programs. Because it participates in Title IV, students may use federal financial aid such as FAFSA and Pell Grants. The most-completed programs at this campus are CNA classes, EMT and paramedic training, and medical assistant programs, drawn from a broader list of 27 program families that also includes welding, HVAC, electrician, and diesel mechanic training.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 34.1%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%. Median debt among graduates is $11,500, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,303. About 32.2% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a locale described as a small city and enrollment of roughly 3,183 undergraduates, this campus offers a mix of short certificate programs and longer allied-health tracks; the specific program lengths are not detailed here, so applicants should confirm timing directly with the school. This setting may suit career changers seeking healthcare or skilled-trade credentials, though individual fit depends on personal circumstances. To verify accreditation and outcomes independently, check the listed accreditors and consult the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard using the school's identifier.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Western Technical College offers 27 program families including CNA classes, EMT and paramedic training, medical assistant programs, welding, HVAC, electrician, and diesel mechanic training. The top programs by completions are CNA classes, EMT/paramedic training, and medical assistant programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission along with specialized accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and accreditors for occupational therapy, physical therapy, and radiologic technology programs.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students may use FAFSA and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 34.1%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%, according to federal data.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $11,500, per federal Scorecard data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,303, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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 (608) 785-9200 or visit its website for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Western Technical College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state funding, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review the accreditors listed above and check outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?240170.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program formats or schedules for adult learners, so this cannot be confirmed from federal data; contact the school to discuss fit for career changers.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data; check with the school or relevant state licensing board for programs like CNA, EMT, or medical assistant training.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Western Technical College at (608) 785-9200 or visit https://www.westerntc.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data for nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across institutions.
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See all trade and career schools in Wisconsin or search by ZIP code.
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.