Public · Mostly certificates · Small city

Western Technical College

La Crosse, Wisconsin. 3,183 undergraduates.

36%Graduation rate35 pts below the national median for similar colleges (71%)
$11,615Average net price per year34% below the national median for similar colleges ($17,716)
$48,044Median earnings 10 years after starting31% above the national median for similar colleges ($36,576)
$12,000Median debt at graduation26% above the national median for similar colleges ($9,500)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($12,000) equals 25% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($48,044). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$8,802
$30,000–$48,000$9,191
$48,001–$75,000$10,423
$75,001–$110,000$14,498
Over $110,000$17,092

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $4,953 in-state, $7,245 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate36%71%
Return for second year45%77%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$45,763$33,491
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$48,044$36,576
Median debt at graduation$12,000$9,500

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly certificates).

Programs and what graduates earn

64 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians25$70,256$89,648$11,495
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing129$70,890$76,500$20,645
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions48$57,250$75,258$12,000
Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians11—$72,060—
Criminal Justice and Corrections24$38,630$68,737$11,000
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities23—$66,667$13,865
Business Administration, Management and Operations65$50,883$61,964$19,000
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management31$45,521$58,640$19,000
Accounting and Related Services29$41,324$50,551$14,625
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services19$51,222$47,653$17,500
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions26$38,836$43,137$20,487
Health and Medical Administrative Services13$45,190$37,122$19,000
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication—$33,710——
Design and Applied Arts44$29,767—$11,917
Agricultural Business and Management10———
Computer Software and Media Applications17———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods10———
Teaching Assistants/Aides14———
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians11———
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians9———
Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians2———
Legal Support Services3———
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, General3———
Fire Protection11———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers19———
Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services6———
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians1———
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)18———
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies/Technicians23———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians11———
Precision Metal Working1———
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions7———
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services3———
Finance and Financial Management Services1———
Hospitality Administration/Management2———
Human Resources Management and Services12———
Management Information Systems and Services8———
Marketing21———
General Sales, Merchandising and Related Marketing Operations7———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Western Technical College cost per year?
The average net price at Western Technical College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $11,615 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Western Technical College graduates earn?
Former Western Technical College students earn a median of $48,044 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Western Technical College?
36% of Western Technical College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Western Technical College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Western Technical College is $12,000. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.