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Western Technical College

Public La Crosse, WI · Urban · Great Lakes · 87% data
B Value B Affordability C+ Earnings
Graduation Rate
36% D
Lower completion rate than most colleges
Earnings (10yr)
$45,303 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$11,008 B
36% less than the typical college
Enrollment
3,183
Earnings +11% vs avg
Graduation -36% vs avg
Net Price +-36% vs avg

Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 22.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $22.9 over 20 years.

22.9× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $22.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $965,396.

What The Data Says

  1. A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.

  2. Graduation of 36% — 36% below the national average.

  3. Every $1 invested returns $22.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Western Technical College

Western Technical College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public College
Carnegie Class
Associate's College
Enrollment
3,183
Setting
Urban
Primary Strengths
Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Mechanic & Repair Tech, Criminal Justice

Why students choose Western Technical College

Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C
Top 46% overall
C+
Earnings
$45,303 median
B
Value
4.1× net price
B
Affordability
$11,008/yr net
D
Graduation
36% graduate
D
Diversity
0.39 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With an enrollment of about 3,183 students, Western Technical College in La Crosse, Wisconsin, caters primarily to those seeking hands-on training in practical fields. The standout programs here include Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Mechanic & Repair Technology, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. This school is a great fit for students who thrive in a more focused, skill-based learning environment, preparing them for specific careers rather than a broad academic journey.

After graduation, students can expect to earn around $45,303 a year, which reflects a solid return on their investment. Though the graduation rate sits at 36%, many students find their footing in the workforce quickly, especially in fields like Health Professions and IT. Affordability also plays a role; with a net price of just $11,008 after financial aid, many graduates can manage their student debt effectively.

The median debt load of $11,500 suggests that students here are making manageable financial commitments. Those who tend to thrive are often those looking for practical skills that lead directly to employment. With 32% of students receiving Pell Grants, it’s clear that the college supports a diverse range of learners, making it accessible for many who might otherwise face financial barriers.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Western Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Western Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Western Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.

Retention Rate
45%
Full-Time Faculty
46%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$8,499
Student–Faculty Ratio
9:1
Diversity Index
0.39
First-Gen Students
39%

Can I Afford It?

What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.

Cost & Financial Aid

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Western Technical College is $7,078, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,008. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,483 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,500 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$4,820
Out-of-State
$7,078
Avg Net Price
$11,008
Median Debt
$11,500
Pell Grant Rate
32%
Federal Loan Rate
33%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$7,483
Family Income $30K–$48K
$8,083
Family Income $48K–$75K
$10,581
Family Income $110K+
$15,430

What Happens After?

Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.

Students Like You

Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Western Technical College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Western Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Western Technical College earn a median of $45,303, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

6 Years After Entry
$41,169
8 Years
$42,336
10 Years
$45,303
Debt-to-Earnings
0.25x
Earning > $25K
61%

Earnings Trajectory

$41,169 6yr $42,336 8yr $45,303 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (217)
35%
100% (217)
35%
100% (217)
35%
100% (217)
35%

How Western Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation36%Earnings 10yr$45KNet Price$11KRetention45%Median Debt$12KPell Grant Rate32%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$7K$0-30K$8K$30-48K$11K$48-75K$15K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Western Technical College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Western Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $11,008/year ($44,032 total). Graduates earn $45,303 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,009,428 in total earnings — a net gain of $965,396 (22.9× your investment). The median debt is $11,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 36% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$44,032
Projected 20yr Earnings
$1,009,428
Net Return
$965,396
ROI Multiple
22.9×
Cost Per Year
$11,008
Median Debt
$11,500
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
36%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
$6,786,392
Federal Grants
$1,171,262
Investment Income
$38,324

Top Programs

The fields Western Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.

Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Western Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Western Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 36%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Western Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Western Technical College is $7,078, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $11,008. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $7,483 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $11,500 in federal student loans.

Is Western Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Western Technical College earn a median of $45,303, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Western Technical College.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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