CVTC responds to UW-Madison report on technical college funding

A recent UW–Madison research report has raised questions about Wisconsin's investment in technical colleges. For the students, employers and communities served by Chippewa Valley Technical College, the answer is simple: Technical colleges deliver a strong return on Wisconsin’s investment.

A central finding in the recent report from the Center for Research on the Wisconsin Economy (CROWE) is that Wisconsin technical colleges receive more than $14,000 per student in state and local taxpayer funding.

But that figure is based on an incomplete picture of students served by Wisconsin's technical colleges.

The national data used in the CROWE analysis excludes a significant number of Wisconsin technical college students, including many part-time students, adult learners, apprenticeship students and students enrolled in technical diploma and certificate programs.

The Wisconsin Policy Forum has previously identified these limitations in the same national data, noting that they can significantly distort comparisons of technical-college funding across states. As a result, the report's calculation of more than $14,000 in public funding per student overstates the level of investment in Wisconsin's technical colleges when measured against the full population of students they serve.

In reality, Wisconsin's technical colleges served approximately 293,000 students in 2024-25 while receiving $867 million in state and local operating support, equating to less than $3,000 per student.

At CVTC, more than 75 percent of students are part-time. As a result, the per-student funding figure does not provide a complete picture of the investment required to serve Wisconsin's technical-college students.

Throughout 11 counties, CVTC educates about 18,000 students each year, and offers more than 145 programs, certificates and apprenticeship opportunities aligned with workforce needs. CVTC associate degree graduates earn an average annual salary of $61,332, according to the most recent graduate employment data.

Unlike other higher education systems, technical college graduates overwhelmingly stay in Wisconsin, with 93 percent living and working in the state after graduation.

"At CVTC, we see firsthand the impact technical education has on people's lives and on our local economy," said Sunem Beaton-Garcia, CVTC president. “Every day, CVTC prepares the skilled workforce our region depends on, from nurses, EMTs, police officers, firefighters and childcare professionals to manufacturers, electricians, welders, truck drivers and other essential workers who keep our communities strong.”

Public support reflects that impact. Recent polling found that 76% of Wisconsinites believe their local technical college is important to the success of their community.

At CVTC that investment translates directly into workforce training opportunities that support local employers and address critical labor shortages throughout the region, Beaton-Garcia said.

Local Governance Drives Local Results

A key strength of Wisconsin's technical colleges is their local governance structure. Each technical college is guided by a district board comprising community leaders, employers, educators and elected officials who understand the unique workforce and economic needs of their region.

Unlike centralized systems, Wisconsin's technical colleges maintain local control over programs, partnerships and investments, allowing colleges to respond quickly to changing employer demands and emerging workforce opportunities.

"Local employers and community leaders have a direct voice in shaping the future of our college," Beaton-Garcia said. "That local oversight helps ensure we remain responsive to workforce needs and accountable to the communities we serve."

Through appointed district boards, technical colleges can:

• Align programs with regional workforce demands

• Build partnerships with local employers

• Respond quickly to emerging industry needs

• Steward taxpayer resources responsibly

• Ensure decisions reflect local priorities and community input

This local governance model has helped Wisconsin build one of the nation's strongest community and technical college systems, connecting education directly to the needs of employers and the aspirations of students throughout the state.

Quality Education Deserves Quality Resources

Technical education requires significant investment because students learn with the equipment, technology and facilities they will encounter in the workplace. Health care, advanced manufacturing, public safety programs and other skilled trades require specialized facilities, modern equipment and instructors with industry expertise.

Yet employer demand continues to exceed capacity in many high-demand fields.

"Businesses throughout our district continue to tell us they need more skilled workers," Beaton-Garcia said. "Our challenge is not a lack of demand. It's ensuring we have the resources necessary to expand opportunities for students and meet the workforce needs of our communities."

The discussion about technical college funding ultimately comes down to Wisconsin's future.

"Technical colleges are one of Wisconsin's strongest investments," Beaton-Garcia said. "When we invest in technical education, we're investing in local businesses, family-supporting careers, stronger communities, and a workforce that keeps Wisconsin competitive. That's why our work matters, and that's why our communities continue to support it."