Retraining ReportJob training public funding can pay for

Find training

Police academy in Wisconsin

13 police and corrections programs with costs, results and funding that can make them free

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

Police officers protect lives and property. Applicants need at least a high school diploma, though some departments and federal agencies ask for college classes or a degree, and they usually must be 21 and meet strict physical and personal standards; most then graduate from their agency's training academy and train on the job.1

In Wisconsin, 2 of the 13 programs take students without a high school diploma, 9 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 2 ask for an associate degree.

By kind, the 13 programs here are police academy (basic law enforcement, 11 programs), jail or detention officer course (1 program) and corrections certificate (1 program).

See the 13 programs

How much does police academy cost in Wisconsin?

$3,688 to $5,027 is what most police and corrections programs in Wisconsin cost if you pay yourself

That is the middle half of the 13 programs with a price. All of them: $685 to $6,921

In the typical program

Finished the program
94%
Working 6 months later
87%
Earned a year, estimated
about $63,700
Length
16 to 29 weeks

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 police academy training. How these figures are made

Is there free police academy training in Wisconsin?

All 13 police and corrections programs in Wisconsin approved for WIOA funding

Filters
What you need to enroll
Kind of program
School
How it's taught
How to show the list

13 programs

  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personAssociate's degree

    Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy

    Gateway Technical College

    Kenosha

    Accredited school

    Associate's degree

    Gateway Technical College, KenoshaPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · Associate's degree

    Earned a year, estimated$73,700
    Price if you pay yourself$5,027
    Program website, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Gateway Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Gateway Technical College
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    91%
    Earned in a quarter
    $18,433
    Length
    15 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    266
    Earned a year, estimated
    $73,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,027
    Program website, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Gateway Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Academy

    Chippewa Valley Technical College

    Eau Claire

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Chippewa Valley Technical College, Eau ClairePolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$63,800
    Price if you pay yourself$5,045
    Program website, Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College
    Finished
    97%
    Working at 6 months
    94%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,948
    Length
    Not reported
    Cost of supplies
    $596
    Students counted
    236
    Earned a year, estimated
    $63,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,045
    Program website, Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Academy at Chippewa Valley Technical College
  • Jail or detention officer courseIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Law Enforcement Basic Jail Academy

    Blackhawk Technical College

    Janesville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Blackhawk Technical College, JanesvilleJail or detention officer course · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$68,500
    Price if you pay yourself$685
    Program website, Law Enforcement Basic Jail Academy at Blackhawk Technical College
    More details about Law Enforcement Basic Jail Academy at Blackhawk Technical College
    Finished
    92%
    Working at 6 months
    39%
    Earned in a quarter
    $17,134
    Length
    4 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    186
    Earned a year, estimated
    $68,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $685
    Program website, Law Enforcement Basic Jail Academy at Blackhawk Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice- Law Enforcement 720 Academy

    Madison Area Technical College

    Madison

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Madison Area Technical College, MadisonPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$72,400
    Price if you pay yourself$4,928
    School website, Criminal Justice- Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Madison Area Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice- Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Madison Area Technical College
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    86%
    Earned in a quarter
    $18,107
    Length
    32 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    182
    Earned a year, estimated
    $72,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,928
    School website, Criminal Justice- Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Madison Area Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement 720 Academy

    Mid-State Technical College

    Wisconsin Rapids

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Mid-State Technical College, Wisconsin RapidsPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$46,100
    Price if you pay yourself$4,467
    Program website, Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Mid-State Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Mid-State Technical College
    Finished
    94%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $11,526
    Length
    16 weeks, 22 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $1,012
    Students counted
    174
    Earned a year, estimated
    $46,100
    Price if you pay yourself
    $4,467
    Program website, Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Mid-State Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice-720 Law Enforcement Academy

    Northeast Wisconsin Technical College

    Green Bay

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green BayPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$63,700
    Price if you pay yourself$5,000
    Program website, Criminal Justice-720 Law Enforcement Academy at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice-720 Law Enforcement Academy at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
    Finished
    97%
    Working at 6 months
    95%
    Earned in a quarter
    $15,929
    Length
    18 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $250
    Students counted
    157
    Earned a year, estimated
    $63,700
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,000
    Program website, Criminal Justice-720 Law Enforcement Academy at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy

    Western Technical College

    La Crosse

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Western Technical College, La CrossePolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$66,000
    Price if you pay yourself$3,611
    Program website, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Western Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Western Technical College
    Finished
    96%
    Working at 6 months
    87%
    Earned in a quarter
    $16,494
    Length
    18 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    135
    Earned a year, estimated
    $66,000
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,611
    Program website, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Western Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personNo diploma needed

    Criminal Justice 720 Embedded Academy

    Lakeshore Technical College

    Cleveland

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Lakeshore Technical College, ClevelandPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$37,800
    Price if you pay yourself$6,921
    Program website, Criminal Justice 720 Embedded Academy at Lakeshore Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice 720 Embedded Academy at Lakeshore Technical College
    Finished
    63%
    Working at 6 months
    93%
    Earned in a quarter
    $9,461
    Length
    45 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    $116
    Students counted
    133
    Earned a year, estimated
    $37,800
    Price if you pay yourself
    $6,921
    Program website, Criminal Justice 720 Embedded Academy at Lakeshore Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personNo diploma needed

    Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy

    Northcentral Technical College

    Wausau

    Accredited school

    No diploma needed

    Northcentral Technical College, WausauPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · No diploma needed

    Earned a year, estimated$59,200
    Price if you pay yourself$3,688
    More details about Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Northcentral Technical College
    Finished
    91%
    Working at 6 months
    87%
    Earned in a quarter
    $14,801
    Length
    16 weeks, 40 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    124
    Earned a year, estimated
    $59,200
    Price if you pay yourself
    $3,688
  • Corrections certificateIn personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Corrections Specialist

    Nicolet College

    Rhinelander

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Nicolet College, RhinelanderCorrections certificate · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$30,400
    Price if you pay yourself$2,360
    Program website, Corrections Specialist at Nicolet College
    More details about Corrections Specialist at Nicolet College
    Finished
    62%
    Working at 6 months
    74%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,593
    Length
    28 weeks, 12 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    66
    Earned a year, estimated
    $30,400
    Price if you pay yourself
    $2,360
    Program website, Corrections Specialist at Nicolet College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Criminal Justice Law Enforcement 720 Academy

    Nicolet College

    Rhinelander

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Nicolet College, RhinelanderPolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimated$31,500
    Price if you pay yourself$5,002
    Program website, Criminal Justice Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Nicolet College
    More details about Criminal Justice Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Nicolet College
    Finished
    74%
    Working at 6 months
    71%
    Earned in a quarter
    $7,863
    Length
    19 weeks, 32 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    35
    Earned a year, estimated
    $31,500
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,002
    Program website, Criminal Justice Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Nicolet College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personAssociate's degree

    Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy

    Northwood Technical College

    Rice Lake

    Accredited school

    Associate's degree

    Northwood Technical College, Rice LakePolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · Associate's degree

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,000
    Program website, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Northwood Technical College
    More details about Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Northwood Technical College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    19 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
    $5,000
    Program website, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement 720 Academy at Northwood Technical College
  • Police academy (basic law enforcement)In personHigh school diploma or equivalent

    Law Enforcement-Basic Recruit Academy

    Blackhawk Technical College

    Janesville

    Accredited school

    High school diploma or equivalent

    Blackhawk Technical College, JanesvillePolice academy (basic law enforcement) · Accredited schoolIn person · High school diploma or equivalent

    Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
    Price if you pay yourself$5,400
    Program website, Law Enforcement-Basic Recruit Academy at Blackhawk Technical College
    More details about Law Enforcement-Basic Recruit Academy at Blackhawk Technical College
    Finished
    Not reported
    Working at 6 months
    Not reported
    Earned in a quarter
    Not reported
    Length
    36 weeks, 20 hours a week
    Cost of supplies
    None listed
    Students counted
    Not reported
    Earned a year, estimated
    Not reported
    Price if you pay yourself
    $5,400
    Program website, Law Enforcement-Basic Recruit Academy at Blackhawk Technical College

How to pay for police academy training in Wisconsin

WIOA funding can pay for police academy 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 police academy 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 police academy 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.

Quick facts: Police academy in Wisconsin

lowest typical price among the states with enough programs to compare
10th of 17
police and corrections programs here, against the typical state's 7
13 vs 7

State comparisons use the same figures as the police academy training by state table: the middle program of each state, and only states with three or more schools for prices. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).

Police academy in Kenosha, Eau Claire, Madison and other Wisconsin cities

Choosing an area filters the program list above. 3 more programs are in 3 other areas, 4 in smaller cities and towns.

Other training in Wisconsin

How police academy training compares with the rest of public safety: First responder training in Wisconsin

Where the Wisconsin law enforcement program numbers come from

Which Wisconsin law enforcement programs are on this list?

These are the law enforcement 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 law enforcement 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 police academy training in Wisconsin

Show the 9 sourcesHide the sources
  1. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Police and Detectives
  2. US Department of Labor, TrainingProviderResults.gov: About This Site
  3. US Department of Labor: WIOA Adult Program
  4. Code of Federal Regulations, title 20, part 680, sections 680.220, 680.230 and 680.310: career services before training, other grants such as Pell Grants first, and limits on Individual Training Accounts (GovInfo, 2024 edition)
  5. US Department of Labor: American Job Centers
  6. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Eligibility for Federal Student Aid
  7. US Department of Education, Federal Student Aid: Don't Miss Out on Federal Pell Grants
  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs: GI Bill benefits for non-college degree programs
  9. US Department of Labor, Training and Employment Guidance Letter 8-19, Attachment I: Requirements for Training Providers, Program Eligibility, and the State Eligible Training Provider (ETP) List