Southwest Tech vs. Western Wisconsin Technical College

Comparable Facts

Compare Southwest Wisconsin Technical College in Fennimore, WI with Western Technical College in La Crosse, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western Technical College is larger than Southwest Tech based on total student enrollment (3,625 students vs. 2,849 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is located in Fennimore, WI (Distant Rural setting); Western Technical College is in La Crosse, WI (Small City setting).
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Western Technical College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Southwest Wisconsin Technical College 14:1; Western Technical College 9:1.

Southwest Tech vs. Western Wisconsin Technical College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Southwest Tech or Western Wisconsin Technical College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Western Technical College than Southwest Tech ($10,037 vs. $14,272).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Technical College are 8.5% lower than at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College ($8,374 vs. $9,148).
• Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is 1.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Western Wisconsin Technical College (about $84 more per year; $4,904.00 vs. $4,820.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1% higher at Southwest Tech than at Western Technical College (about $69 more per year; $7,147.00 vs. $7,078.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College than at Western Technical College (77% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Western Technical College students is 26% larger than aid received by Southwest Wisconsin Technical College students ($6,139 vs. $4,874).

Southwest Tech vs. Western Wisconsin Technical College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Southwest Tech or Western Wisconsin Technical College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Western Wisconsin Technical College and Southwest Tech.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Southwest Tech - Open admission; Western Wisconsin Technical College - Open admission.

Southwest Tech vs. Western Wisconsin Technical College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Southwest Tech and Western Wisconsin Technical College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Western Technical College earn a median of about $100 more per year than Southwest Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($34,200 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College graduates have a $4,300 lower median loan debt than Western Wisconsin Technical College graduates ($7,000 vs. $11,300).
• Among borrowers, Southwest Tech graduates have an estimated $44 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western Wisconsin Technical College graduates ($72 vs. $116).
• More Southwest Tech graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Western Wisconsin Technical College students, three years after graduation. (60% vs. 50%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.