Tuition, debt increase at technical colleges in Wisconsin

APPLETON — Tuition and debt have jumped at Wisconsin's technical colleges, which are supposed to provide a more affordable option for career training than four-year universities or for-profit schools.

The Post-Crescent reports that U.S. Department of Education figures show many tech school students are facing bigger financial challenges than a few years ago.

At Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, tuition and fees increased by about 25 percent in the past ten years. The average amount borrowed by graduates of the school jumped by about $5,300 from 2007 to 2015.

Experts say the rising price tag isn't necessarily what leads to financial struggles for community college and technical students. Of the students who take out loans, most borrow less than $10,000, and those who don't repay loans often owe less than $5,000.