First responder training in Wisconsin

105 first responder programs in 5 fields of public safety, with costs, results and funding that can make them free

16 schools offer these programs, and Wisconsin has approved every one for workforce funding. Compare the 5 fields below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

First responder training covers the people who come when you call 911: EMT and paramedic classes, police and corrections academies and fire academies, along with criminal justice and fire science certificates and degrees. It also takes in security guard training.

All job training programs in Wisconsin, every line of work

Accredited first responder schools in Wisconsin, each school with its accreditor

First responder training by state, to compare Wisconsin with other states

Compare first responder programs in Wisconsin: cost, pay and results

EMT classes (emergency medical technician)
53 programs at 15 schools
Most cost
$845 to $10,010
Earned a year, estimated
about $45,800
Working 6 months later
88%
Finished
74%
Criminal justice programs
22 programs at 15 schools
Most cost
$9,628 to $10,217
Earned a year, estimated
about $32,000
Working 6 months later
82%
Finished
42%
Fire academy
14 programs at 10 schools
Most cost
$4,558 to $9,920
Earned a year, estimated
about $32,700
Working 6 months later
80%
Finished
31%
Police academy
13 programs at 11 schools
Most cost
$3,688 to $5,027
Earned a year, estimated
about $63,700
Working 6 months later
87%
Finished
94%
Security guard training
3 programs at 3 schools
Most cost
Not enough data
Earned a year, estimated
Not enough data
Working 6 months later
Not enough data
Finished
Not enough data

Each figure is the middle program of that field. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools in Wisconsin may offer more. How these figures are made

Is there free first responder training in Wisconsin?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program counted on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.¹²³
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁴ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.³
Or pay yourself. Without funding, prices differ by field: most police and corrections programs in Wisconsin cost $3,688 to $5,027, and most criminal justice programs $9,628 to $10,217. Each field's page lists every program with its price.

Other job training in Wisconsin, by line of work

Programs approved in Wisconsin in each line of work.

Where the Wisconsin first responder numbers come from

Which Wisconsin programs are counted?

Programs Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) in the fields listed above. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁵ They come from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Wisconsin offers.

What the figures for each field mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the funding facts about first responder programs in Wisconsin

Show the 5 sourcesHide the sources

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