Local Automotive Training Comparisons

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Milwaukee Ranked For 2026

Compare 4 automotive school options within 50 miles of Milwaukee. Compare credentials, costs, and program details alongside each institution’s location.

Edited By Taylor RupeUpdated September 8, 2026 · Our Methodology

Wisconsin geographic illustration for the best auto mechanic schools in Milwaukee guide — Wisconsin · Geographic Illustration

Schools Compared: 4
Annual Tuition From: $4,485
Wisconsin Median Pay: $54,350
Wisconsin Employment: 12,270

The nearby choices become clearer once you identify whether a certificate or associate degree is your target. If you are comparing the best auto mechanic schools in Milwaukee, this search covers 4 nearby school options. The May 2025 BLS OEWS median wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics was $54,350 statewide in Wisconsin.

The schools span Illinois and Wisconsin, so residency can change the tuition category. Milwaukee includes a nearby Wisconsin technical college and a large Illinois option near the edge of the radius. Milwaukee Area Technical College is the nearest at 2.7 straight-line miles, while College of Lake County reports the most awards, with 335. The nearby choices include certificate and associate degree routes.

Distances are straight-line estimates from a representative point in Milwaukee to each institution’s federally reported location. They measure geographic proximity, not driving time or the location of every teaching site. Salary figures below describe Wisconsin, not this city.

Compare The Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Milwaukee

Ranked schools receive a comparison score from automotive credential awards (50%), annual institution-wide tuition (30%), and schoolwide graduation rate (20%). These measures help compare reported scale, cost, and institutional completion. Read The Full Ranking Method.

School	Location	Annual In-State Tuition	Automotive Awards
Waukesha County Technical College	Pewaukee, WI	$4,485	88
Gateway Technical College	Kenosha, WI	$4,485	40
Milwaukee Area Technical College	Mequon, WI	$4,485	105
College of Lake County	Grayslake, IL	$9,944	335

Tuition is the institution’s annual undergraduate figure for 2024–25, excluding fees, tools, housing, and other expenses. Awards are credentials reported in 2023–24, not a count of unique graduates. Blank cells indicate an omitted measure.

Pewaukee, WI · 14.6 Miles From Milwaukee

Waukesha County Technical College

64.9Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

A Daytime AAS With A Local Shop Internship

WCTC fits students who want workplace training within a general automotive degree and can plan for the published Fall 2027 intake.

Waukesha County Technical College’s Automotive Technology General Option is a 60-credit, two-year AAS taught on campus during the day. It includes a technical internship at an area dealership or repair shop and opportunities for ASE student and refrigerant credentials. The current application schedule accepts Fall 2027 entrants and says Spring 2027 applications are closed.

Annual In-State Tuition: $4,485
Automotive Awards: 88
Schoolwide Graduation: 44%

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026

Degree And Attendance: The General Option requires 60 credits over two years, with on-campus daytime instruction.
Waukesha County Automotive Technology General Option
Current Application Window: Fall 2027 applications opened September 1, 2026 and are due June 7, 2027. The page says Spring 2027 is not accepting applications and the program cannot begin in summer.
Waukesha County Automotive Technology General Option
Technical Internship: Students complete an internship at a local automotive dealership or repair shop.
Waukesha County Automotive Technology General Option
Student Certification Opportunities: Students can earn all eight ASE automobile student certifications and the EPA 609 Refrigerant Recycling certification.
Waukesha County Automotive Technology General Option
Required Equipment: Students need a qualifying PC laptop or Android tablet, safety glasses, and electrical-hazard-rated, slip-resistant safety-toe footwear.
Waukesha County Automotive Technology General Option

Explore Waukesha County Technical College Federal School Record ↗

Kenosha, WI · 32.2 Miles From Milwaukee

Gateway Technical College

58.5Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

An Associate Degree At A Dedicated Transportation Center

Gateway fits students who want a transportation-focused campus, structured electronic learning resources, and a route from shorter automotive awards into an associate degree.

Gateway Technical College’s 65-credit Automotive Technology associate degree begins in fall at the Horizon Center for Transportation Technology. A fully equipped shop provides lifts and Snap-on diagnostic and repair tools, while Electude supports technical instruction online. Students can earn shorter credentials along the way and prepare for ASE and NC3 certifications.

Annual In-State Tuition: $4,485
Automotive Awards: 40
Schoolwide Graduation: 51%

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026

Degree And Start: The associate degree requires 65 credits, is offered at the Horizon Center, and lists a fall start.
Gateway Technical College Automotive Technology
Shop And Learning Equipment: The automotive lab includes lifts and Snap-on diagnostic and repair equipment. Electude supplies an online automotive training resource.
Gateway Technical College Automotive Technology
Credentials Along The Path: The pathway includes an Automotive Under Car Technician certificate and an Automotive Maintenance Technician technical diploma before the Automotive Technology associate degree.
Gateway Technical College Automotive Technology
Certification Preparation: The program prepares students for ASE Automotive and NC3 certifications, including credentials involving brakes and electrical systems.
Gateway Technical College Automotive Technology

Explore Gateway Technical College Federal School Record ↗

Mequon, WI · 2.7 Miles From MilwaukeeDistance Uses The Institution Record In Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee Area Technical College

58.0Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

An Associate Degree Requiring A Dealership Sponsor

MATC fits students ready to secure a dealership training relationship and combine repeated applied experience with either manufacturer-focused or comprehensive repair study.

Milwaukee Area Technical College teaches its 62-credit Automotive Technology Comprehensive AAS in person at Mequon. Students need a dealership sponsor for applied automotive experience, with workplace courses appearing in each main semester. Ford ASSET, Mopar CAP, and a comprehensive repair route provide different training emphases, while an embedded light-repair diploma marks an earlier credential stage.

Milwaukee Area Technical College is 2.7 straight-line miles from Milwaukee and offers certificate and associate degree options across 105 awards. Annual institution tuition is $4,485 in state and $6,728 out of state. The 25% graduation rate is schoolwide.

Annual In-State Tuition: $4,485
Automotive Awards: 105
Schoolwide Graduation: 25%

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026

Credits And Teaching Campus: The two-year associate program requires 62 credits and is offered in person at Mequon, with August and October starts listed.
Milwaukee Area Technical College Automotive Technology Comprehensive
Sponsorship Requirement: Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent and a dealership sponsor to provide applied automotive experience.
Milwaukee Area Technical College Automotive Technology Comprehensive
Workplace Course Sequence: Applied Automotive Experience 1 through 4 each carry one credit, appearing across the four main semesters. Summer technical courses are also in the plan.
Milwaukee Area Technical College Automotive Technology Comprehensive
Program Routes And Embedded Award: Ford ASSET and Mopar CAP earn manufacturer credentials; CART provides comprehensive repair training. Students can earn the Maintenance Light Repair technical diploma during the associate program.
Milwaukee Area Technical College Automotive Technology Comprehensive

Explore Milwaukee Area Technical College Federal School Record ↗

Grayslake, IL · 49.1 Miles From Milwaukee

College of Lake County

57.6Score

Certificate · Associate DegreePublic

Master Training With Hybrid And EV Service

CLC combines the eight automotive service systems with hybrid and EV servicing in its classes.

College of Lake County integrates hybrid and electric-vehicle service into its automotive classes and holds ASE Education Foundation Master certification. Students can choose the master technician AAS or several certificates, with bachelor’s transfer routes to Southern Illinois University and Ferris State.

College of Lake County is 49.1 straight-line mile from Milwaukee and offers certificate and associate degree options across 335 awards. Annual institution tuition is $9,944 in state and $13,475 out of state. The 37% graduation rate is schoolwide.

Annual In-State Tuition: $9,944
Automotive Awards: 335
Schoolwide Graduation: 37%

Program Details

Researched September 8, 2026

Hybrid And EV Classes: Hybrid and electric-vehicle servicing is integrated into CLC’s automotive classes.
Automotive Technology - Program Overview - College of Lake County
Core Service Training: Students begin with basic skills and train across the eight defined automotive service systems.
Automotive Technology - Program Overview - College of Lake County
Master Certification: The program holds ASE Education Foundation Master Automotive Service Technology certification.
Automotive Technology - Program Overview - College of Lake County
Credential Options: CLC offers a master technician AAS plus certificates in oil change, maintenance and light repair, general service, and master technician training.
Automotive Technology - Program Overview - College of Lake County
Bachelor’s Transfer: The program identifies transfer routes to Southern Illinois University and Ferris State University.
Automotive Technology - Program Overview - College of Lake County

Explore College of Lake County Federal School Record ↗

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Milwaukee

The local choice is about more than mileage: credential scope, schoolwide outcomes, and cost all move. Milwaukee Area Technical College sits 2.7 straight-line miles from Milwaukee. College of Lake County reports the most awards, with 335. The schools include certificate and associate degree routes; straight-line distance is a map measure, not a driving estimate.

Campus location gives context for the schoolwide percentages. College of Lake County lists $9,944 in state and $13,475 out of state. Milwaukee Area Technical College lists $4,485 in state and $6,728 out of state. Waukesha County Technical College lists $4,485 in state and $6,728 out of state. Schools with both residency categories show separate in-state and out-of-state tuition.

The useful contrast here is between the local campus and the schools farther out in the radius. College of Lake County offers certificate and associate degree options at 49.1 straight-line miles; Milwaukee Area Technical College offers certificate and associate degree options at 2.7 straight-line miles; Waukesha County Technical College offers certificate and associate degree options at 14.6 straight-line miles. 4 nearby schools offer an associate degree. The wage is a statewide occupation reference, while the campus figures identify the available award routes.

Auto Mechanic Pay In Wisconsin

The May 2025 BLS survey reports a $54,350 median annual wage for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Wisconsin, across 12,270 jobs. The median is the midpoint for the occupation, not an offer to new graduates.

10th Percentile: $36,590
Median: $54,350
90th Percentile: $78,140

Experience, employer, and the work you do affect where you fall in that spread. Explore Auto Mechanic Salaries.

School Credentials And ASE Certification

A college certificate is an academic credential; professional ASE certification requires passing the relevant ASE test and satisfying its work experience rule. For the A1–A9 automobile tests, that rule is two years of qualifying repair experience. You can take most tests before completing the experience requirement, but passing alone does not make you certified.

Completing an ASE-accredited automotive program can count for one year of that experience. An eligible ASE-accredited manufacturer co-op program can count for the full two years when it includes the required hands-on work. These substitutions cannot be combined. Source: ASE Work Experience Rules.

Our certificate and associate degree comparison explains the academic routes, while the ASE certification guide covers professional credentials. The school cost guide separates tuition, fees, and tools.

Milwaukee Auto Mechanic School Questions

What Is The May 2025 Wage Reference For Milwaukee?

The May 2025 BLS OEWS median for automotive service technicians and mechanics in Wisconsin is $54,350. The middle figure is a statewide occupation measure, with the 10th percentile at $36,590 and the 90th percentile at $78,140.

Which Campus Is Closest To Milwaukee?

Milwaukee Area Technical College is 2.7 straight-line miles from Milwaukee and shows 105 awards across certificate and associate degree credentials. Its schoolwide graduation rate is 25%.

Which School Has The Most Listed Awards Near Milwaukee?

College of Lake County lists $9,944 in annual in-state institution tuition and $13,475 out of state. It also shows 335 awards in the Milwaukee comparison.

Sources For These School Comparisons

School records and program sources checked September 8, 2026. Federal figures retain their original reporting years; program details cite the school’s published requirements and costs. Send A Correction.

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Milwaukee Ranked For 2026

Compare The Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Milwaukee

Waukesha County Technical College

Program Details

Gateway Technical College

Program Details

Milwaukee Area Technical College

Program Details

College of Lake County

Program Details

Best Auto Mechanic Schools In Milwaukee

Auto Mechanic Pay In Wisconsin

School Credentials And ASE Certification

Milwaukee Auto Mechanic School Questions

Sources For These School Comparisons

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