Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Waukesha County Technical College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,281Annual Cost
$46,894Grad Salary
10.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$9,400
Need-Based Aid
10.8% receive Pell
Waukesha County Technical College serves southeastern Wisconsin from its 137-acre Pewaukee campus and additional centers. Established in 1923, WCTC has grown into a comprehensive technical college offering 150+ degree and certificate programs to over 10,000 students annually. The campus features state-of-the-art facilities including the Center for Health Sciences with simulation hospitals, the Industrial Building with advanced manufacturing labs, and the newly renovated Business Building.
WCTC excels in workforce development through programs like CNC machining, IT-network specialist, and architectural technology that boast 90%+ graduate placement rates. The college's 'Corporate Training Center' provides customized solutions for regional employers like GE Healthcare and Quad/Graphics. WCTC maintains strong transfer agreements with UW-Milwaukee and other universities through its 'Transfer Advantage' program. The college's 'Integrated Manufacturing Center' features Industry 4.0 technologies including robotics and additive manufacturing. WCTC's commitment to accessibility includes extensive adult education services and the 'Promise Program' offering free tuition to qualifying high school graduates.
Waukesha County Technical College Acceptance Rate
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) runs an open-access admission policy — with a 100% acceptance rate, the focus is on getting qualified students in, not filtering them out.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
Slightly below-average GPA? A strong test score or clear leadership track record can still keep you competitive.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Waukesha County Technical College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Waukesha County Technical College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
WCTC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (FAFSA Priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at WCTC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Waukesha County Technical College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC) Test Requirements
Standardized scores still matter here: aim for the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class below, and if WCTC is test-optional, a high score submitted voluntarily still helps with merit scholarships.
Can I Get Into WCTC Without SAT or ACT?
WCTC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for WCTC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
WCTC's open-access model means the real strategic decisions happen after enrollment: course planning, advising, and whether to transfer later.
Understand WCTC's waitlist system runs on admittance date, not just GPA
Unlike many competitive health programs elsewhere that rank by a points formula, WCTC's high-demand programs (Nursing, Dental Hygiene) use a three-stage waitlist: Pre-Core (still completing prerequisites), Core-Ready (met all academic preparedness requirements), and Core-Active (enrolled in core courses). Core-Ready students are prioritized by admittance date and residency status - meaning two equally qualified applicants can get very different seat timelines purely based on when they finished their checklist. The actionable move is to complete every Pre-Core requirement as early as possible, not just eventually, since your place in line is locked in the moment you become Core-Ready.
Clear the TEAS exam early and don't let it become the bottleneck
Both Nursing and Dental Hygiene require a minimum 65% composite score on the ATI TEAS exam (no expiration date on the score), which can be taken at the WCTC Testing Center for $95 or through ATI directly for $120. Because retakes are unlimited but a 30-day wait between attempts is strongly recommended, students should schedule their first TEAS attempt as soon as prerequisite coursework allows - not in the same term they're finishing other checklist items - so a low first score doesn't push Core-Ready status, and therefore waitlist position, back by a full retake cycle.
Front-load Nursing Assistant certification before applying to the AAS Nursing track
WCTC's Nursing ? Associate Degree program requires proof of Nursing Assistant course completion as one of its checklist items, and this program is only open to in-state residents. Complete a Nursing Assistant certificate (or provide documentation of equivalent completion) during your first year rather than treating it as a late add-on, since it's a hard checklist requirement for Core-Ready status, not an optional resume booster.
Leverage the Dental Hygiene program's outcomes but plan around its fall-only start
WCTC's Dental Hygiene program is CODA-accredited and recently posted a 100% pass rate on both the National Board Dental Hygiene written exam and the Central Regional Dental Testing Service practical exam - genuinely strong outcomes worth highlighting to prospective students. But the program cannot be started in spring, and health programs require multiple vaccinations (including COVID-19 and flu), so students should confirm their vaccination timeline against the fall-only start date well before the application deadline, since vaccination scheduling delays are a common last-minute snag.
Expert Insight:
Students see "open admission" and a $30 application fee and assume every WCTC program is equally quick to enter. In reality, Nursing and Dental Hygiene are limited-enrollment programs where completing general admission does nothing for your position in the program-specific waitlist - the clock on Core-Ready priority only starts once every prerequisite and checklist item is done, so procrastinating on any single requirement (TEAS, Nursing Assistant certification, immunizations) delays your effective application date, not just that one item.
WCTC Profile
Full Name
Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC)
City
Pewaukee
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
53072-4601
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a WCTC Degree Worth It?
At $14,281/year against a $46,894 median graduate salary, WCTC is worth weighing against your specific program and financial situation — the numbers below give you a real basis for that decision.
The average household income among admitted students is $76,200, with a graduate unemployment rate of 2.66%.
How much does a degree from WCTC Cost?
The sticker price is $14,281/year, but the average net price students actually pay — after Pell and federal grants — is closer to $9,400.
10.8% of students receive a Pell Grant and 8.9% take federal loans at WCTC — file your FAFSA early and list WCTC as a choice to be considered for both.
How much does a WCTC Graduate earn?
Median earnings 10 years after enrollment (roughly 4–6 years post-graduation) are $46,894 — about 16% above the U.S. median graduate income.
Degree Programs at WCTC
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About WCTC Admissions
Median earnings for Waukesha County Technical College graduates sit around $46,894 a year.
At about $14,281 a year, Waukesha County Technical College is on the more affordable end.
Waukesha County Technical College's Pell Grant rate of 10.8% sits below the national average — merit-based aid is worth checking regardless of income.
Waukesha County Technical College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
The application fee is 30. Fee waivers may be available — check with admissions.
The scholarship/financial aid priority deadline is FAFSA Priority: 2026/02/01. Submit FAFSA before then for maximum consideration.
Yes — transfers are common. Have transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement ready to make your case.
Strong academics, a focused extracurricular profile, and standout essays move the needle most — along with a competitive SAT/ACT score where relevant.
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