Quick Facts

• Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Address: 700 W State St, Milwaukee, WI 53233
• School Type: Public Technical College
• Programs Offered: Electricity, Automotive, Welding Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Carpentry, Bricklaying, CNC/Machining, Tool & Die, construction apprenticeships, engineering technology and many additional career programs
• Training Style: Hands-on labs, classroom instruction, technical diplomas, associate degrees and registered-apprenticeship related instruction
• Tuition Range: $183.10 per credit for Wisconsin residents in 2026–27 for associate-degree, technical-diploma and apprenticeship courses
• Program Length: Short credentials through 1- and 2-year programs; apprenticeships vary by trade
• Online Programs Available: Yes, MATC has a separate 100% Online Campus, though most skilled-trade programs require in-person training
• Hybrid Learning: Available for selected courses/programs
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, grants, loans, work-study, scholarships and payment plans for qualifying students/programs
• Class Options: Day, evening, online and in-person options vary by program
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Average Rating: ⭐ 3.8 (295 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Milwaukee Area Technical College is a large public technical college with more than 180 programs across four physical campuses and an online campus. The Downtown Milwaukee Campus is especially relevant to TradeSchoolScout because it hosts a sizable selection of manufacturing, construction and mechanical programs, including Electricity, Industrial Maintenance, Welding Technology, Bricklaying, Automotive Maintenance and machining-related training.

MATC’s approach is broader than a typical private trade school. A student can pursue a short credential, technical diploma, two-year associate degree or the classroom portion of a registered apprenticeship. The college is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Programs Offered

Trade-oriented programs available at or associated with the Downtown Milwaukee Campus include:

• Electricity
• Automotive Maintenance Technician
• Welding Technology
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Bricklaying
• Carpentry
• Preparatory Plumbing
• CNC Technician
• CNC Swiss Multi-Axis Machining
• Machine Tool Operations
• Tool and Die Making
• Architectural Technology
• Civil Engineering Technology
• Electronic Technology – Automation
• Construction and industrial apprenticeships

Electricity

MATC’s Electricity technical diploma is based at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus and starts in August and January. Training is in person and covers skills for entry-level electrical work in building trades and industry.

The school makes an important distinction: this diploma does not replace an electrical apprenticeship. It is intended to provide foundational knowledge that may help graduates secure entry-level employment or move into apprenticeship training.

Training includes electrical theory, residential and commercial installation and industrial electrical equipment.

MATC also offers a 14-credit Electrical Construction badge covering basic wiring, cable wiring, raceways, electrical code fundamentals, blueprint reading and principles of electricity.

Automotive Maintenance Technician

The Automotive Maintenance Technician diploma is a 34-credit hands-on program offered at Downtown Milwaukee and Oak Creek. Current start periods include August, October, January and March.

Students train in:

• Powertrain service
• Brakes
• Steering and suspension
• Electrical/electronic systems
• Heating and air conditioning
• Engine controls
• Vehicle instrumentation

The program is accredited by the ASE Education Foundation. MATC currently notes a waiting list of about one year, so applicants should plan ahead.

Welding Technology

MATC’s Welding Technology associate degree requires 61 credits and includes conventional and automated welding. Students learn to produce welds to current AWS specifications, interpret welding drawings, inspect finished work and operate and troubleshoot robotic welding systems.

The program can be particularly attractive to students who want to go beyond basic welding and develop skills in robotic and automated manufacturing.

Industrial Maintenance Technician

The two-year Industrial Maintenance Technician associate degree is based at the Downtown Milwaukee Campus. Training includes:

• Welding
• Hydraulics
• HVAC fundamentals
• Electricity
• Mechanical systems
• Machine alignment
• Equipment installation
• Troubleshooting and repair

This combination can prepare graduates for manufacturing maintenance jobs involving multiple systems rather than one narrowly defined trade.

Bricklaying & Machining

The Bricklaying technical diploma is offered through MATC’s downtown operation, with classes conducted at the Walker’s Square Education Center. The program teaches basic block and brick work and was developed with input from local contractors.

Tool and Die Making is a four-semester program. Students may complete the first year downtown, while the complete two-year pathway is available at Oak Creek. Its curriculum is based in part on NIMS machining standards.

Apprenticeship Training

MATC provides related classroom instruction for many registered apprenticeships, including:

• Construction Electrician
• Residential Wireman
• Industrial Electrician
• Industrial Pipefitter
• Machinist/Machine Tool
• Machine Repair
• Mechatronics
• Metal Fabricator
• Sheet Metal Worker
• Steamfitter
• Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Steamfitter
• Tool and Die Maker

These are earn-while-you-learn pathways. Students generally need employment with a sponsoring employer, union or apprenticeship committee before entering the apprenticeship.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For the 2026–27 academic year, MATC lists Wisconsin-resident tuition and fees for associate-degree, technical-diploma and apprenticeship courses at $183.10 per credit. The equivalent out-of-state figure is $261.83 per credit.

MATC estimates a Wisconsin-resident student taking 15 credits in one semester at:

• Tuition and fees — $2,663.50
• Student ID — $9
• FastCare fee — $7
• Estimated books — $1,000
• Estimated semester total — $3,792.50

For a traditional full-time student, MATC currently advertises approximately $5,327 in annual tuition/fees for 2026–27 before books and living expenses.

Qualifying students can use federal and state financial aid, scholarships and payment plans.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public technical-college pricing
• Large selection of skilled trades
• Dedicated manufacturing/construction pathway
• Electricity diploma and electrical apprenticeships
• Automotive program with ASE Education Foundation accreditation
• Welding plus robotic welding training
• Industrial maintenance and machining
• Stackable credentials
• Apprenticeship related instruction
• Federal financial aid for eligible programs

Career Opportunities

Depending on program and additional licensing requirements, graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Automotive Technician
• Electrician Helper or Apprentice
• Welder/Fabricator
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Machinist
• CNC Technician
• Tool and Die Maker
• Bricklayer
• Construction Trades Worker
• Automation Technician

Licensed and apprenticeship occupations may require additional on-the-job hours, exams or state credentials.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 3.8 (295 Reviews)

Because MATC is a very large college, the overall score combines experiences from many unrelated academic departments. Prospective trade students should focus on recent reviews concerning their specific program.

Enrollment Tips

Check the exact campus location before registering. MATC operates Downtown Milwaukee, Oak Creek, Mequon and West Allis campuses, and some programs are split between campuses. For example, Tool and Die can begin downtown but requires Oak Creek for the second year.

Automotive applicants should also apply early because the college currently reports about a one-year wait for Automotive Maintenance Technician.

Bottom Line

Milwaukee Area Technical College’s Downtown Campus is one of the most comprehensive trade-school choices in Wisconsin. Students can pursue electricity, automotive, welding, industrial maintenance, machining, construction or apprenticeships at public-college tuition rates. The breadth of programs and ability to build from shorter credentials into technical diplomas and associate degrees make MATC especially attractive for students who want more flexibility than a single-purpose private trade school.