Southwest Wisconsin Technical College: Understanding Tuition Costs and Affordability

Choosing a college is a huge decision, and understanding the costs involved is a critical part of that process. This article breaks down the tuition costs, financial aid options, and overall affordability of Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (Southwest Tech).

Tuition and Fees: A Closer Look

In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is $4,386. Compared to the national average for Associate Colleges ($8,253), Southwest Tech's tuition is significantly lower, by $3,867.

Looking back, in the 2020-2021 academic year, in-state tuition and fees were $4,571 per year, while out-of-state tuition and fees averaged $6,683 per year. Projecting forward, if the average annual increase of 1.26% over the past five years continues, in-state students could expect to pay $4,687 this school year. Out-of-state students could anticipate paying approximately $6,853.

In-State Tuition & Fees (2020-2021): $4,571
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees (2020-2021): $6,683
Median Undergraduate Tuition (2023): $4,386

It's important to note that tuition and fees cover one year of attendance and do not include room and board.

Additional Costs: Beyond Tuition

Besides tuition, students should also budget for other expenses, including room and board, books, and supplies. In 2023, the average yearly cost for room and board was $8,359, while books and supplies averaged $1,987.

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Room and Board (2023): $8,359
Books and Supplies (2023): $1,987

The Net Price: Factoring in Financial Aid

The "net price" is what students actually pay after grants and loans are considered. In 2023, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College had an average net price of $10,617. This figure represents the price paid after factoring in grants and loans. Between 2022 and 2023, the average net price grew by 5.88%.

Financial Aid: Making College More Affordable

Many students rely on financial aid to help cover college costs. In 2023, 32% of undergraduate students at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College received financial aid through grants, while 18% received aid through loans.

Southwest Tech provides various forms of financial aid, including grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study jobs. The financial aid packages can vary depending on a student's financial need, which is typically determined based on information provided in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Enrollment and Student Demographics

In 2023, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College had a total enrollment of 2,717 students. A significant portion of these students are enrolled part-time (2,215), with 502 students enrolled full-time. This means that 18.5% of students enrolled at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College are enrolled full-time.

The student body is predominantly White, with 85.2% of students identifying as White. Other represented groups include:

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Two or More Races: 4.78%
Black or African American: 3.68%
Hispanic or Latino: 3.5%
American Indian or Alaska Native: 1.21%
Asian: 0.81%

Among full-time undergraduate students, the most common demographic is White Female (50.1%), followed by White Male (40.4%) and Black or African American Female (2.3%).

Graduation and Completion Rates

In 2023, 51% of students graduating from Southwest Wisconsin Technical College completed their program within 100% "normal time". 55% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 57% within 200%. The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College is Female and Asian (100% graduation rate).

Programs and Degrees Awarded

In 2023, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College awarded 738 degrees across all undergraduate and graduate programs. Women received 64.5% of these degrees, while men received 35.5%. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (675 degrees), with 23.3 times more white recipients than the next closest race/ethnicity group, hispanic or latino (29 degrees).

The most common associates degree concentration at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College was Registered Nursing with 50 degrees awarded.

Financial Stability and Resources

Southwest Wisconsin Technical College has an endowment valued at nearly $5.38M, as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year. In 2023, the college received $2.04M in grants and contracts from the federal government, $2.77M from state grants and contracts, and $3.04M from local grants and contracts.

Comparing Southwest Tech to Other Schools

Southwest Tech's tuition and fees are relatively inexpensive compared to national averages. The college also boasts a higher retention rate compared to similar Associates Colleges. The retention rate for full-time undergraduates at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College was 72%, compared with the full-time retention rate at similar Associates Colleges (64%).

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