A recent report questioned Wisconsin's continued investment in technical colleges. For the students, employers, and communities served by Mid-State Technical College, the answer is simple: technical colleges deliver results.
Every day, Mid-State Technical College prepares the skilled workforce our region depends on, from nurses, EMTs, police officers, firefighters and childcare professionals to manufacturers, electricians, welders, and other essential workers who keep the regional economy moving.
"At Mid-State, the value of technical education is something we see every day—in the lives changed through education, in the employers gaining the skilled talent they need and in the communities strengthened by graduates who live, work and build their futures here," said Dr. Shelly Mondeik, president of Mid-State Technical College. "The return on this investment isn't theoretical. It's visible throughout our region."
And the data backs that up.
A 2025 independent economic impact study conducted by Lightcast found that Mid-State contributes $180 million in added income to the regional economy each year, an impact equal to approximately 1.8 percent of the region's gross regional product. That activity supports 2,585 regional jobs—or one out of every 40 jobs in the Mid-State District.
Across Wisconsin, technical colleges educate nearly 300,000 students annually and offer more than 500 programs aligned with workforce needs. Unlike many other higher education systems, technical college graduates overwhelmingly stay in Wisconsin, with 93 percent living and working in the state after graduation. Public support reflects that impact. Recent polling found that 76 percent of Wisconsinites believe their local technical college is important to the success of their community.
A central claim in the recent CROWE report is that Wisconsin technical colleges receive more than $14,000 per student from state and local taxpayers. However, independent analysis from the Wisconsin Policy Forum noted that the report's calculations excluded many of the students actually served by technical colleges, including part-time students, adult learners, apprenticeship students and students enrolled in technical diploma and certificate programs.
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 Mid-State, that investment translates directly into education, workforce development and economic activity throughout the eight-county region.
Mid-State's Local Impact
During the 2025–26 academic year alone, Mid-State served more than 10,000 credit and non-credit learners, demonstrating a reach that extends well beyond traditional full-time college enrollment.
The impact of that investment can be seen in both student outcomes and the regional economy:
- 99% employment: Among applied associate degree survey respondents participating in the labor force, 99 percent were employed.
- 96% working in their field: Of employed applied associate degree respondents, 96 percent were working in jobs related to their Mid-State education.
- $56,608 in annual earnings: Applied associate degree graduates reported median annual wages of $56,608.
- $180 million in annual economic impact: Mid-State’s activities generate $180 million in added income throughout the Mid-State District each year.
- 2,585 jobs supported: The economic activity generated by Mid-State and its students supports one out of every 40 jobs in the Mid-State District.
"When you look at what Mid-State generates for students, taxpayers, employers and our regional economy, the value is clear," Mondeik said. "Technical education is not simply an expense. It is an investment that produces skilled workers, higher earnings, stronger businesses and measurable economic returns right here in central Wisconsin."
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.
"Mid-State was built to respond to the communities we serve," Mondeik said. "Local employers and community leaders have a direct voice in our work, helping ensure our programs, facilities and investments align with the workforce needs of central Wisconsin. That local connection is one of the greatest strengths of the technical college system."
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 and ensure decisions reflect local priorities and community input.
This local governance model has helped Wisconsin develop a nationally recognized technical college system that connects education directly to the needs of employers and the aspirations of students throughout the state.
Quality Education Requires Quality Resources
Technical education is among the most resource-intensive forms of higher education because students learn using the same equipment, technology and environments they will encounter in the workplace. Healthcare, advanced manufacturing, public safety programs and other skilled trades require specialized facilities, modern equipment and instructors with industry expertise.
Those investments allow Mid-State students to enter the workforce prepared to contribute from day one while helping regional employers respond to changing technology and workforce demands. The economic impact study found that Mid-State is a significant supplier of trained workers to regional industries, increasing productivity throughout the regional workforce.
"Businesses throughout our district continue to tell us they need more skilled workers," Mondeik said. "Our challenge is not a lack of demand for technical education or technical college graduates. It's ensuring we continue to have the people, equipment, facilities and resources necessary to prepare the workforce our communities need."
The discussion about technical college funding ultimately comes down to Wisconsin's future. "Technical colleges are one of Wisconsin's strongest investments," Mondeik 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. At Mid-State, we're proud that the impact of that investment can be measured not only in dollars, but in the thousands of people and employers whose futures are strengthened through education."
