What Lakeshore College does

Lakeshore College is a public community and technical college operating within the 16-college Wisconsin Technical College System, serving more than 9,000 students annually across three campuses (Cleveland headquarters, Manitowoc, Sheboygan) and additional district sites. Founded in 1976 as a non-profit foundation supporting what was then Lakeshore Technical College, the institution rebranded to Lakeshore College in 2021 to reflect a broader mission spanning over 70 associate degree, technical diploma, certificate, apprenticeship, and dual enrollment programs across healthcare, manufacturing, trades, business, agriculture, and emerging fields such as commercial truck driving. The college delivers instruction through traditional in-person classes, competency-based education, and online non-credit courses via an ed2go partnership, supported by a Microsoft-based technology infrastructure (Office 365, Azure-hosted MyLakeshore portal, Blackboard LMS, Navigate, Handshake).

Lakeshore generates revenue through a hybrid public-institutional model rather than a commercial SaaS or product pricing structure: Wisconsin state appropriations, tuition and fees, federal TRIO grant funding ($1.36M awarded 2025), competitive grants (WTCS $1.7M in 2025 and $1.5M in 2026; $24,994 CDL training grant), corporate and union donations (Kohler Foundation, Plumbers & Steamfitters UA Local 400, Dollar General Literacy Foundation $10K in 2026), foundation-raised scholarship disbursements (~$700K annually, ~636 recipients in 2024-25), AWS welding certification testing fees, transcript fees ($15 via Parchment), test-out fees ($50), and customized workforce training contracts through the Workforce Solutions division. Targeted customer segments include traditional and adult career-focused students, military veterans and families (16 consecutive years of Military Friendly designation), first-generation and low-income students via TRIO, apprenticeship students in industrial trades, and regional employers seeking workforce pipelines. The college's AWS-accredited welding test facility (one of only four in Wisconsin, 159 certifications granted since 2020) and FORWARD partnership with UW-Green Bay for teaching and nursing pathways exemplify its strategy of aligning program offerings with regional workforce shortages.

Name

Lakeshore College

Legal name

Lakeshore College

Website

https://lakeshore.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Lakeshore College is a public Wisconsin Technical College System institution serving 9,000+ students annually across three campuses with 70+ career-focused associate degree, technical diploma, and certificate programs in healthcare, manufacturing, trades, and business.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community and Technical College Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Rural/Regional Community Colleges (EDAHADAK)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Technical diploma programs
• Workforce training services
• Associate degree programs
• Apprenticeship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Students pay tuition and fees for credit-bearing programs including associate degrees, technical diplomas, and certificates. Financial aid, grants, and scholarships help offset costs for eligible students.
2. Foundation Scholarships (Disbursement): The Lakeshore College Foundation raises approximately $700,000 annually from donors and distributes scholarships to students. The foundation operates two scholarship cycles per year.
3. Non-Credit/Continuing Education: Through ed2go partnership, the college offers online non-credit courses and professional development programs for adult learners seeking career training or skills upgrading.
4. Workforce Development Training: Business and industry training programs, testing services, and customized workforce solutions provided to employers and individuals through the Workforce Solutions division.
5. Welding Certification Testing: AWS-accredited welding test facility provides certification testing services for welders from Wisconsin and other states, generating fees for testing services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Lakeshore College is a comprehensive community and technical college that delivers career-focused education through over 70 associate degree programs, technical diplomas, certificates, and apprenticeships in fields such as healthcare, manufacturing, business, welding, culinary arts, and transportation. The college also provides AWS-accredited welding certification testing, commercial truck driving (CDL) training, workforce development for employers, TRIO student support services, and online non-credit courses through the ed2go partnership.

Product overview

Lakeshore College is a comprehensive community and technical college offering a portfolio of educational products centered on career preparation and workforce development. The core offerings include over 70 associate degree programs and technical diplomas across healthcare, manufacturing, business, agriculture, and trades. Specialized programs include the new Commercial Truck Driving Program meeting federal ELDT requirements, AWS-accredited welding certification testing, and Credit for Prior Learning assessments. Supplementary products include the FORWARD Program (in partnership with UW-Green Bay for teaching/nursing pathways), TRIO Student Support Services, ed2go online courses, Lenny's Leap dual enrollment, apprenticeships, and career exploration summer camps. The college operates campuses in Cleveland, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan serving over 9,000 students annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FORWARD: A partnership program between Lakeshore College and UW-Green Bay providing seamless pathways for students in the Sheboygan area to earn teaching or nursing degrees locally.
• Lenny's Leap

Products and services

• Associate Degree Programs Over 70 two-year associate degree programs across agribusiness, business, marketing, graphics, human ecology, industrial, health, services, and technical and media instructional areas for students seeking employable career skills or pathway to a bachelor's degree.
• Technical Diplomas Short-term technical diploma programs designed for quick workforce entry, including the nine-credit Truck Driving program.
• Certificates Professional development certificates and industry-recognized credentials across various career areas.
• Commercial Truck Driving Program Nine-credit technical diploma meeting federal ELDT requirements for CDL preparation. Eight-week format with four annual start dates at Cleveland campus.
• Apprenticeship Programs Registered apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship programs combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction in industrial and construction trades.
• Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) Advanced standing assessment for college-level learning gained through work, training, volunteer, military, or self-study experiences through exams and portfolios.
• ed2go Online Non-Credit Courses Partnership with ed2go providing hundreds of affordable online non-credit courses in health, hospitality, business, construction, trades, and computer applications with self-paced and instructor-led options for adult learners.
• FORWARD Program Partnership pathway with UW-Green Bay enabling students in the Sheboygan area to earn associate degrees at Lakeshore and bachelor's degrees in teaching or nursing at UW-Green Bay Sheboygan campus.
• Lenny's Leap Dual Enrollment Dual enrollment initiative allowing high school students to earn college credit while completing high school.
• TRIO Student Support Services Federally-funded support program for first-generation, low-income, or disabled students providing tutoring, advising, financial aid assistance, and transfer services.
• Testing Services Assessment services including test-outs, CLEP exams, and Credit for Prior Learning evaluations administered at the Cleveland campus.
• AWS Welding Certification Testing American Welding Society accredited testing facility offering welder qualification tests, procedure specifications, and certifications for Wisconsin and surrounding states.
• Adult Education Programs Adult education and English Language Learner (ELL) programming expanding access to adult education across the service area.
• Competency-Based Education Flexible learning model allowing students to progress based on demonstrated mastery rather than seat time.
• Seminars and Continuing Education Professional development seminars and continuing education opportunities for career advancement.
• Dental Hygiene Program Planned launch of accredited dental hygiene program, part of $1.2M dental clinic expansion completed June 2025, to address shortage of dental professionals in the region.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99% of graduates are employed in Wisconsin within their field
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and supporting.

• University of Wisconsin-Green Bay (UW-Green Bay)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 April 2025FORWARD program partnership allowing students to pursue teaching or nursing degrees seamlessly between institutions. Students earn associate degrees at Lakeshore and bachelor's degrees at UW-Green Bay's Sheboygan Campus. This partnership addresses acute workforce shortages in teaching and nursing in Sheboygan County by providing affordable, locally accessible four-year degree pathways. Classes offered at both Cleveland campus and UW-Green Bay Sheboygan Campus.
• Lakeshore Community Health CarestrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025Partnership providing clinical space for Lakeshore dental assistant program students during the dental clinic expansion construction (December 2024 - June 2025). Additionally provides a mobile dental unit for students to practice skills one day per week on the Cleveland campus. Supports the college's initiative to address critical shortage of dental professionals in the region and launch a dental hygiene program.
• Kohler Co.supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 January 2025Corporate sponsor of Kohler Center for Manufacturing Excellence where AWS welding certification testing is conducted. Also provides corporate scholarships for students in Culinary Arts, Welding & Fabrication, and Electromechanical programs.
• ed2gocoreTechnology or Integration · 13 January 2025Strategic partnership with leading adult online non-credit education provider to expand workforce training opportunities across in-demand industries in the lakeshore area. Hundreds of affordable online courses available covering health, hospitality, business, construction, and computer applications. Provides career and industry-recognized certifications as well as professional development courses through fully online, self-paced and instructor-led formats.
• Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLakeshore College is part of the 16-college Wisconsin Technical College System. WTCS provides grant funding, apprenticeship frameworks, and system-wide coordination. Awarded $1.7M in grants for 2025 and $1.5M for 2026 to support student success and workforce initiatives.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Fox Valley Technical College: A fellow Wisconsin Technical College System institution serving northeast/central Wisconsin with similar associate degree, technical diploma, and apprenticeship programs. Directly comparable in mission, governance structure, funding model, and program portfolio.
• Gateway Technical College: WTCS institution serving southeast Wisconsin with similar technical and associate degree programs, including strong apprenticeship and workforce development offerings. Same funding model and state oversight.
• Madison Area Technical College (Madison College): The largest WTCS institution, offering an extensive portfolio of associate degrees, technical diplomas, and continuing education. Comparable in core offerings though larger in scale and serving a more urban service area.
• Blackhawk Technical College: WTCS peer in south-central Wisconsin serving Rock County with similar associate degree, technical diploma, and workforce development programs. Shares the same Wisconsin funding model and accreditation environment.
• Waukesha County Technical College (WTC): WTCS peer in southeastern Wisconsin offering similar technical and associate degree programs with strong employer partnerships. Comparable in program mix and student outcomes focus.
• Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC): WTCS urban peer offering similar workforce-focused associate degrees, technical diplomas, and apprenticeships across a wide range of trades. Comparable in mission and program breadth but serving a different demographic mix.
• Chippewa Valley Technical College: WTCS peer in western Wisconsin with similar program offerings in trades, healthcare, and business. Comparable institutional scale and mission within the same state system.
• Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC): A WTCS peer serving the Green Bay region with similar technical and associate degree programs, employer partnerships, and dual enrollment offerings. Closely comparable in size, governance, and regional workforce alignment.
• Moraine Park Technical College: Adjacent WTCS college serving Fond du Lac and Beaver Dam with very similar program mix, including technical diplomas, apprenticeships, and employer-sponsored training. Geographic neighbor sharing many overlapping employer relationships.
• Mid-State Technical College: WTCS peer in central Wisconsin offering comparable technical diplomas, associate degrees, and customized workforce training. Similar size and program structure with shared system-wide funding.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/lakeshoretech
• Facebookfacebook.com/307760733340

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Lakeshore College