Best Community Colleges in Milwaukee: Transfer, Tuition & Programs for 2026
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
February 21, 2026
Compare 6+ Milwaukee community colleges with tuition, earnings, and transfer data.
Milwaukee's community colleges offer an affordable entry point to higher education, with tuition well below four-year university rates. Strong transfer agreements with state universities mean you can start at a CC and finish your bachelor's degree at a fraction of the cost.
Why Community College in Milwaukee?
Milwaukee's community colleges offer an affordable entry point to higher education, with tuition well below four-year university rates. Strong transfer agreements with state universities mean you can start at a CC and finish your bachelor's degree at a fraction of the cost.
Community Colleges in Milwaukee
Milwaukee Area Technical College (Milwaukee)
Tuition: $5,017/year | Enrollment: 11,362 | 6-year earnings: $33,057
Nursing ADN graduates earn $60,210/year.
Gateway Technical College (Kenosha)
Tuition: $4,853/year | Enrollment: 4,657 | 6-year earnings: $35,333
Nursing ADN graduates earn $61,211/year.
The Institute of Beauty and Wellness (Milwaukee)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 207 | 6-year earnings: $31,535
Empire Beauty School-Milwaukee (Milwaukee)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 98 | 6-year earnings: $21,743
The Salon Professional Academy-Kenosha (Kenosha)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 95 | 6-year earnings: $25,412
Milwaukee Career College (Milwaukee)
Tuition: N/A/year | Enrollment: 73 | 6-year earnings: $30,088
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Not sure which path is right? Compare colleges and trade schools near you with real salary data.
Try the Calculator →How to Choose
| Priority | Best Fit |
|---|---|
| Lowest tuition | Gateway Technical College ($4,853/yr) |
| Best post-grad earnings | Gateway Technical College ($35,333 at 6yrs) |
Financial Aid
Federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year) often exceed full community college tuition. Check your state's grant and scholarship programs — many states offer free or reduced CC tuition for qualifying residents.
Next Steps
Compare Milwaukee community colleges on GradeToGrad.