Chippewa Valley Technical College: $4,724 Tuition

$4,724Tuition

4,127Students

46%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$46,297Earnings

#16 in WisconsinPublic2-yearStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Chippewa Valley Technical College

Chippewa Valley Technical College trains students for hands-on careers in Wisconsin's Chippewa Valley region. The school enrolls 4,127 students focused on technical and career programs that lead directly to employment in trades and specialized fields. Students learn practical skills in programs like manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means instructors can provide personalized attention in labs and workshops.

The financial picture looks promising for career-focused students. After aid, families earning under $30,000 pay around $9,656 annually, while those earning $30,000-$48,000 pay about $10,020. Graduates typically earn $46,297 ten years after starting, with median debt of just $11,432. Monthly loan payments average $121, making the debt manageable compared to earnings. The employment rate hits 96.2%, reflecting strong job market demand for technical skills.

Women make up nearly 61% of students, drawn particularly to healthcare and business programs. The student body is 95.84% Wisconsin residents, creating a tight-knit community atmosphere. Only 17.36% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from working families seeking career advancement rather than traditional college-age students. The 46.30% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenge of balancing school with work and family responsibilities common among technical college students.

Academics & Faculty

Chippewa Valley Technical College focuses exclusively on career and technical training that leads directly to employment. The college offers programs in high-demand fields like manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades. With a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, students receive hands-on instruction in small classes designed around industry needs. The 46% graduation rate reflects the practical nature of these programs, where some students enter the workforce before completing degrees. Most graduates earn $46,297 within ten years, with an impressive 96.2% employment rate showing the college's strong connections to local employers. Programs emphasize real-world skills over theoretical study, preparing students for immediate careers in Wisconsin's technical industries.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Faculty: 47.2%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 46.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $46,297

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers.	Certificate	$67,899
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$58,479
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$54,224
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$50,970
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Certificate	$50,022
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions.	Associate	$49,436
Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies.	Certificate	$47,930
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians.	Associate	$47,260
Precision Metal Working.	Certificate	$44,126
Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions.	Associate	$42,185

View all 80 programs →

Campus Life

This technical college sits in Eau Claire, a college town of 70,000 people about 90 miles east of Minneapolis. Women make up 61% of the student body, reflecting the school's strong nursing and healthcare programs. You'll need a heavy winter coat here - Wisconsin winters regularly dip below zero with significant snowfall from December through March.

Most students commute to campus since this is a two-year technical college without traditional dormitories. The 13:1 student-faculty ratio means hands-on learning in labs and workshops rather than large lecture halls. With 96% of students from Wisconsin, you'll find a practical, no-nonsense culture focused on getting job-ready skills quickly. Students often work part-time while attending classes, balancing studies with real-world experience. Weekends typically involve studying, working, or heading home since 96% live in-state. The campus buzzes during weekdays with welding sparks, nursing simulations, and automotive repair, but quiets considerably after hours as students head to jobs or family obligations rather than campus social events.

Setting: City-Small
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Burglary	0	0	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 7°–24°F
July Avg: 62°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 32.8"
Annual Snowfall: 54.0"

Student Demographics

Nearly 96% of students come from Wisconsin, reflecting the college's deep roots in serving local communities throughout the Chippewa Valley region. Women make up 61% of enrollment, drawn largely to high-demand programs in healthcare, business, and human services. The student body is predominantly white at 84%, mirroring the demographics of rural and small-town Wisconsin. With 17% receiving Pell Grants, the college attracts working-class students seeking affordable pathways to stable careers. This mix of local residents and practical-minded learners creates a close-knit community focused on getting job-ready skills quickly.

Men: 39.0%
Women: 61.0%
White: 84.0%
Black: 2.0%
Hispanic: 3.6%
Asian: 4.4%
In-State Students: 95.8%
Pell Grant Recipients: 17.4%

Location

Chippewa Valley Technical College sits in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, roughly 90 miles east of Minneapolis-St. Paul. The city serves as a regional center for west-central Wisconsin's farming and manufacturing communities. Eau Claire hosts the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire alongside CVTC, creating a dual college town atmosphere. The Chippewa and Eau Claire rivers converge here, giving the area its name and providing recreational opportunities. With 95.84% of students coming from Wisconsin, CVTC draws heavily from the surrounding rural counties where technical skills training connects directly to local industry needs. Students considering colleges in Wisconsin may also compare Chippewa Valley Technical College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54701-6162

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $46,297
Median Earnings (5 years): $53,506
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $34,600
Loan Repayment Rate: 50.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $121/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $11,432

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Chippewa Valley Technical College?

Chippewa Valley Technical College serves 4,127 students as an open-access institution focused on technical training. The college primarily attracts local students, with 95.84% coming from Wisconsin. Most programs require a high school diploma or equivalent, though some technical fields may have additional prerequisites.

How much does Chippewa Valley Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $12,025 annually at this technical college. In-state tuition runs $4,724 while out-of-state students pay $6,917. Only 17.36% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the college's affordable base tuition for career-focused programs.

What type of academic programs does Chippewa Valley Technical College offer?

The college maintains a 13:1 student-faculty ratio across its technical and career training programs. Women make up 60.99% of enrollment, often drawn to healthcare and business programs. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning in trades and technical fields that lead directly to employment.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Chippewa Valley Technical College?

Graduates achieve a remarkable 96.2% employment rate within their fields of study. The median earnings reach $46,297 ten years after graduation, with graduates typically carrying manageable debt of $11,432. This reflects the college's strong connections to local employers and focus on in-demand technical skills.

Where is Chippewa Valley Technical College located and what is campus life like?

The main campus sits in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a small city that provides internship and job opportunities for technical students. The college serves a predominantly white student population at 83.96%, typical of rural Wisconsin demographics. Campus life centers around practical learning labs and career preparation rather than traditional college activities.

How successful are students at completing their programs at Chippewa Valley Technical College?

The college reports a 46.30% six-year graduation rate, which includes students who transfer or enter the workforce before completing degrees. Many technical programs are designed to be completed in two years or less. The 50.63% loan repayment rate and low monthly payments of $121 indicate graduates can manage their educational investment while building careers.