Historically, the community and tech college teachers were unionized, so it attracted people who wanted to make a career of teaching. They were actually better off than the adjuncts who were teaching the same courses at the university. When the state broke the public sector unions a few years ago, a lot of teachers took early retirement (five or six of my friends), and I don't know how this will affect things going forward.
There's a reason UW Madison has been and continues to be so highly regarded.
There was also a greater difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition, with higher requirements to qualify for the latter. Wisconsin was focused on educating Wisconsonites, and bettering the state thereby.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wisconsin_Idea
Unfortunately, as another commenter mentioned, this lauded and effective system has come under attack by opponents of any sort of public spending and public good.
And, as Wisconsin has lost many union and other well-paying jobs, it's become harder to retain domestically educated talent.
It would be a shame if the system is destroyed. It's allowed this small, largely rural state to punch significantly above its weight.
When I transferred to a private school I was a bit older so they really gave some leeway in how they transferrey credits. I am guessing they would not have done the same for a 19 year old though