Security guard training in Wisconsin

3 security guard programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

3 schools offer these security guard programs, and Wisconsin has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows its price if you pay yourself and how past students did.

Security guards protect property from illegal activity. Most states require a license, which usually means being 18 or older, passing a background check and completing training; most guards learn the job in a few weeks. Armed guards need weapons training and usually a separate license.¹

In Wisconsin, 2 of the 3 programs take students without a high school diploma and 1 asks for a diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 3 programs here are security program or diploma (2 programs) and security (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 3 programs

How much does security guard training cost in Wisconsin?

$1,996 to $9,510

is what the 3 programs with a price cost if you pay yourself

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Earned a year, estimated: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5
Length: Not enough data; 2 programs report it; a typical figure needs 5

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Wisconsin may also offer security guard training. How these figures are made

Is there free security guard training in Wisconsin?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. These programs cost $1,996 to $9,510.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 3 security guard programs in Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding

3 programs

Security program or diplomaIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent
Security Professional
Gateway Technical College
Kenosha
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Gateway Technical College, KenoshaSecurity program or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimated$31,400
Price if you pay yourself$1,996
Program website, Security Professional at Gateway Technical College
More details about Security Professional at Gateway Technical College
Finished
100%
Working at 6 months
71%
Earned in a quarter
$7,839
Length
15 weeks, 20 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
275
Earned a year, estimated
$31,400
Price if you pay yourself
$1,996
Program website, Security Professional at Gateway Technical College
Security (associate degree)OnlineNo diploma needed
Security and Asset Protection
Fox Valley Technical College
Based in Appleton, WI
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Fox Valley Technical College, based in Appleton, WISecurity (associate degree) · Accredited schoolOnline · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimated$38,000
Price if you pay yourself$9,510
Program website, Security and Asset Protection at Fox Valley Technical College
More details about Security and Asset Protection at Fox Valley Technical College
Finished
57%
Working at 6 months
47%
Earned in a quarter
$9,507
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
$1,635
Students counted
31
Earned a year, estimated
$38,000
Price if you pay yourself
$9,510
Program website, Security and Asset Protection at Fox Valley Technical College
Security program or diplomaIn personNo diploma needed
Security Operations
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Fennimore
Accredited school
No diploma needed
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, FennimoreSecurity program or diploma · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourself$4,560
Program website, Security Operations at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
More details about Security Operations at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
32 weeks, 40 hours a week
Cost of supplies
None listed
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
$4,560
Program website, Security Operations at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College

How to pay for security guard training in Wisconsin

WIOA funding can pay for security guard training in Wisconsin

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for security guard training

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁶⁷

GI Bill for security guard training

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁸

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Security guard training in Kenosha, Platteville and other Wisconsin cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 1 program is online.

Other training in Wisconsin

How security guard training compares with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Wisconsin

Where the Wisconsin security guard program numbers come from

Which Wisconsin security guard programs are on this list?

These are the security guard programs Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁹ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Wisconsin offers.

How the prices and results of Wisconsin security guard programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about security guard training in Wisconsin

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