Trade Schools in Madison, WI

6 schools · 41 programs · Avg earnings $40,108/yr

Madison's robust healthcare sector, anchored by institutions like UW Health and Meriter, drives significant demand for skilled medical professionals. Trade schools in the area offer strong programs in Registered Nursing and Practical Nursing, directly addressing the needs of these major employers. The city's growing biotech and research industries also create opportunities for specialized roles in allied health.

Beyond healthcare, Madison's manufacturing and tech sectors present additional avenues for vocational training. Programs in Precision Metal Working, for instance, align with local manufacturing firms. The city also supports a vibrant service industry, reflected in the availability of cosmetology and massage therapy programs, catering to a diverse local economy.

Schools
6
Programs
41
Avg Grad Earnings
$40,108/yr
Avg Score
60/100

Madison Trade Schools Map

6 trade schools in Madison, WI.

Madison Area Technical College Herzing University-Madison Aveda Institute-Madison Academy of Beauty Professionals Paul Mitchell the School-Madison East-West Healing Arts Institute

All Trade Schools in Madison

6 trade schools ranked by number of programs offered.

School Programs Avg Earnings Avg Score
Madison Area Technical College 20 $44,279/yr 66
Herzing University-Madison 10 $40,913/yr 58
Aveda Institute-Madison 3 $22,459/yr 40
Academy of Beauty Professionals 1 $18,729/yr 43
Paul Mitchell the School-Madison 1 $22,868/yr 45
East-West Healing Arts Institute 1 $29,450/yr 45

Top Programs in Madison

Highest-earning trade programs by first-year graduate earnings in Madison.

Program School Earnings Score
Nursing Herzing University-Madison $73,342/yr 72
Nursing Madison Area Technical College $66,446/yr 82
Computer Networking Madison Area Technical College $65,324/yr 77
Software Development Madison Area Technical College $65,191/yr 78
Allied Health Professions Madison Area Technical College $62,646/yr 70
Dental Assisting Madison Area Technical College $59,139/yr 67
Allied Health Professions Herzing University-Madison $57,114/yr 65
Allied Health Professions Madison Area Technical College $57,005/yr 74
IT Management Madison Area Technical College $54,784/yr 77
Clinical Laboratory Science Madison Area Technical College $54,717/yr 65

Apprenticeships in Madison

Another path · Earn while you learn
67 registered apprenticeship sponsors in Madison
Apprentices earn wages during training and graduate debt-free. See all Wisconsin apprenticeships → for wages by trade.

Programs by Category

Skilled Trades (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Vehicle Repair Technology Madison Area Technical College 68 $37,001/yr
Welding & Metalworking Madison Area Technical College 66 $37,860/yr

Healthcare (21 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Nursing Madison Area Technical College 82 $66,446/yr
Health Administration Madison Area Technical College 81 $43,237/yr
Allied Health Professions Madison Area Technical College 74 $57,005/yr
Nursing Herzing University-Madison 72 $73,342/yr
Practical Nursing Herzing University-Madison 72 $47,310/yr
Allied Health Professions Madison Area Technical College 70 $62,646/yr
Medical Assisting Madison Area Technical College 68 $34,484/yr
Dental Assisting Madison Area Technical College 67 $59,139/yr
Allied Health Professions Herzing University-Madison 65 $57,114/yr
Clinical Laboratory Science Madison Area Technical College 65 $54,717/yr
Medical Assisting Madison Area Technical College 60 $35,549/yr
Health Administration Herzing University-Madison 57 $27,871/yr
Health Administration Herzing University-Madison 56 $30,821/yr
Dental Assisting Herzing University-Madison 54 $41,499/yr
Medical Assisting Herzing University-Madison 53 $34,039/yr
Medical Assisting Herzing University-Madison 53 $30,106/yr
Massage Therapy Madison Area Technical College 53 $29,119/yr
Allied Health Professions Herzing University-Madison 52 $43,769/yr
Massage Therapy East-West Healing Arts Institute 45 $29,450/yr
Massage Therapy Aveda Institute-Madison 41 $24,115/yr
Alternative Medicine Aveda Institute-Madison 33 $18,235/yr

Engineering & Technology (4 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Software Development Madison Area Technical College 78 $65,191/yr
Computer Networking Madison Area Technical College 77 $65,324/yr
IT Management Madison Area Technical College 77 $54,784/yr
Computer Networking Herzing University-Madison 60 $43,901/yr

Criminal Justice & Public Safety (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Criminal Justice Madison Area Technical College 70 $39,174/yr

Personal Services (4 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Cosmetology Madison Area Technical College 49 $22,152/yr
Cosmetology Aveda Institute-Madison 47 $25,029/yr
Cosmetology Paul Mitchell the School-Madison 45 $22,868/yr
Cosmetology Academy of Beauty Professionals 43 $18,729/yr

Business & Office (5 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Business Administration Madison Area Technical College 76 $43,085/yr
Accounting Madison Area Technical College 71 $45,333/yr
Business Administration Herzing University-Madison 60 $30,536/yr
Accounting Herzing University-Madison 57 $31,620/yr
Business Operations Support Madison Area Technical College 55 $27,467/yr

Agriculture & Natural Resources (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Veterinary Technology Madison Area Technical College 51 $34,698/yr

Arts & Design (1 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Design Madison Area Technical College 48 $30,710/yr

Other Programs (2 programs)

Program School Score Earnings
Liberal Arts & Humanities Madison Area Technical College 47 $29,018/yr
Legal Support Services Herzing University-Madison 43 $39,952/yr

More Trade Schools in Wisconsin

Frequently Asked Questions

How many trade schools are in Madison?
There are 6 accredited trade and vocational schools in Madison, WI, offering a total of 41 certificate and associate degree programs.
What are the best trade programs in Madison?
The highest-earning programs in Madison include Nursing, Nursing, Computer Networking, with graduates earning $73,342 or more in their first year after graduation.
Are trade schools in Madison worth it?
Trade school programs in Madison average $40,108 in first-year graduate earnings, with many programs offering positive ROI within the first year. Most trade careers offer strong job security due to hands-on work requirements.

About This Data

This page analyzes 41 trade and vocational programs at 6 schools in Madison, WI using earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024–2034).

School locations shown on the map are based on official institutional addresses. Graduate earnings represent median first-year earnings for certificate and associate degree completers.

Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034. Last updated 2026.