2026 Rankings

    Best Trade Schools in Wisconsin

    Data-driven rankings of 35 trade colleges in Wisconsin based on graduation rates, student outcomes, and affordability. No paid placements.

    35 Schools RankedPowered by IPEDS Data

    Showing 1–25 of 35 schools

    #1
    68.9/ 100
    The Professional Hair Design Academy

    Eau Claire, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:86%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$3,350
    Financial Aid:76%
    #2
    66.9/ 100
    The Institute of Beauty and Wellness

    Milwaukee, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:88%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:6
    Avg Tuition:$13,436
    Financial Aid:73%
    #3
    65.4/ 100
    Aveda Institute-Madison

    Madison, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:90%
    Student-Faculty:5:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$13,062
    Financial Aid:58%
    #4
    63.7/ 100
    VICI Beauty School

    Greenfield, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:85%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:2
    Avg Tuition:$8,034
    Financial Aid:89%
    #5
    62.2/ 100
    The Salon Professional Academy-Onalaska

    Onalaska, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:88%
    Student-Faculty:7:1
    Programs:3
    Avg Tuition:$17,550
    Financial Aid:81%
    #6
    60.3/ 100
    Fox Valley Technical College

    Appleton, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:64%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:121
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:48%
    #6
    60.3/ 100
    Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

    Fennimore, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:70%
    Student-Faculty:10:1
    Programs:73
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:86%
    #8
    60.2/ 100
    Northwood Technical College

    Rice Lake, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:59%
    Student-Faculty:3:1
    Programs:73
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:74%
    #9
    58.4/ 100
    Milwaukee Career College

    Milwaukee, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:65%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$16,599
    Financial Aid:100%
    #10
    57.9/ 100
    Nicolet Area Technical College

    Rhinelander, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:55%
    Student-Faculty:5:1
    Programs:37
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:91%
    #11
    54.8/ 100
    Western Technical College

    La Crosse, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:51%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:90
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:74%
    #12
    52.9/ 100
    The Salon Professional Academy-Kenosha

    Kenosha, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:64%
    Student-Faculty:12:1
    Programs:4
    Avg Tuition:$5,658
    Financial Aid:100%
    #13
    52.6/ 100
    Chippewa Valley Technical College

    Eau Claire, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:55%
    Student-Faculty:9:1
    Programs:95
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:69%
    #14
    51.7/ 100
    Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

    Green Bay, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:60%
    Student-Faculty:11:1
    Programs:103
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:60%
    #15
    51.1/ 100
    Waukesha County Technical College

    Pewaukee, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:44%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:79
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:35%
    #15
    51.1/ 100
    Blackhawk Technical College

    Janesville, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:41%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:60
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:64%
    #17
    50.9/ 100
    Mid-State Technical College

    Wisconsin Rapids, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:48%
    Student-Faculty:8:1
    Programs:86
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:73%
    #18
    50.8/ 100
    Moraine Park Technical College logo
    Moraine Park Technical College

    Fond du Lac, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:55%
    Student-Faculty:9:1
    Programs:83
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:59%
    #19
    50.6/ 100
    Lakeshore Technical College logo
    Lakeshore Technical College

    Cleveland, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:57%
    Student-Faculty:10:1
    Programs:73
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:69%
    #20
    50.1/ 100
    The Salon Professional Academy-Appleton logo
    The Salon Professional Academy-Appleton

    Appleton, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:82%
    Student-Faculty:12:1
    Programs:2
    Avg Tuition:$9,375
    Financial Aid:57%
    #21
    49.5/ 100
    First Class Cosmetology School logo
    First Class Cosmetology School

    Beloit, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:71%
    Student-Faculty:12:1
    Programs:5
    Avg Tuition:$10,990
    Financial Aid:75%
    #22
    48.6/ 100
    East-West Healing Arts Institute logo
    East-West Healing Arts Institute

    Madison, WI · Private Trade School

    Grad Rate:77%
    Student-Faculty:4:1
    Programs:1
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:68%
    #23
    48.5/ 100
    Milwaukee Area Technical College logo
    Milwaukee Area Technical College

    Milwaukee, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:30%
    Student-Faculty:6:1
    Programs:145
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:74%
    #24
    47.9/ 100
    Northcentral Technical College logo
    Northcentral Technical College

    Wausau, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:49%
    Student-Faculty:11:1
    Programs:149
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:71%
    #25
    46.3/ 100
    Gateway Technical College logo
    Gateway Technical College

    Kenosha, WI · Public Institution

    Grad Rate:47%
    Student-Faculty:11:1
    Programs:104
    Avg Tuition:N/A
    Financial Aid:58%

    Our rankings evaluate trade and vocational colleges using six weighted metrics derived from federal IPEDS data: graduation rate, student-faculty ratio, program breadth, institutional scale, financial accessibility, and affordability. Schools must meet minimum eligibility requirements to be ranked.

    How are these rankings calculated? View Methodology