Nicolet Area Technical College
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin- Graduation Rate
- 45% D+
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $38,643 C-
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $8,255 B+
- 52% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 663
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 25.2× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin.
Every $1 spent returns $25.2 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $800,607.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 45% — 22% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.2 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Nicolet Area Technical College Matters
Nicolet Area Technical College is a public college in Rhinelander, WI and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by an above-average alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 663
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Precision Production
Why students choose Nicolet Area Technical College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $8,255 a year after grants and scholarships — 52% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $38,643 ten years after enrolling — 5% below the typical college, against $7,837 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.5% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 97% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.03 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of 663 students, Nicolet Area Technical College in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, is ideal for those seeking hands-on training and a clear path to employment. Students here often dive into programs like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. This focus on practical skills is evident in the supportive, community-oriented atmosphere that encourages learning and growth.
After graduation, students can expect to earn a median salary of $38,643 ten years out. That’s a solid figure for those starting their careers, especially in fields that are critical to local economies. The college’s affordability adds to its appeal, with a net price of $8,255 after financial aid, making it accessible for many. About 32% of students benefit from Pell Grants, helping to ease the financial burden and enabling more individuals to seek their goals.
Looking at the practical side, students typically graduate with a median debt of $7,837, which is quite manageable compared to potential earnings. Those who thrive here often appreciate a hands-on learning environment and a focus on practical skills that lead directly to job opportunities. Nicolet Area Technical College may be an excellent fit if you’re looking for a supportive community college experience that prioritizes career readiness.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Nicolet Area Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nicolet Area Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Nicolet Area Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
- Retention Rate
- 62%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 51%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,773
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 7:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.46
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nicolet Area Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nicolet Area Technical College is $7,066, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,255. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,066 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,837 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $4,793
- Out-of-State
- $7,066
- Avg Net Price
- $8,255
- Median Debt
- $7,837
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 18%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,066
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,410
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $10,060
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Nicolet Area Technical College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Nicolet Area Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nicolet Area Technical College report median earnings of $38,643, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,066
- 8 Years
- $34,822
- 10 Years
- $38,643
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.2x
- Earning > $25K
- 44%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (42)
- 40%
- 100% (42)
- 40%
- 100% (42)
- 40%
- 100% (42)
- 40%
How Nicolet Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Nicolet Area Technical College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Nicolet Area Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,255/year ($33,020 total). Graduates earn $38,643 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $833,627 in total earnings — a net gain of $800,607 (25.2× your investment). The median debt is $7,837, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 45% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $33,020
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $833,627
- Net Return
- $800,607
- ROI Multiple
- 25.2×
- Cost Per Year
- $8,255
- Median Debt
- $7,837
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 45%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Nicolet Area Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nicolet Area Technical College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.45%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 3.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.45%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 3.7%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $85,731
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Top Programs
The fields Nicolet Area Technical College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Health Professions 39% $66,496 early-career
- Business & Marketing 20%
- Humanities 8%
- Precision Production 8%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Culinary & Personal Services 6%
- Transportation 4%
- Criminal Justice 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Nicolet Area Technical College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nicolet Area Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Nicolet Area Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 45%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nicolet Area Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nicolet Area Technical College is $7,066, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $8,255. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,066 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,837 in federal student loans.
Is Nicolet Area Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nicolet Area Technical College report median earnings of $38,643, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Nicolet Area Technical College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nicolet Area Technical College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.45%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 3.7% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Nicolet Area Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Nicolet Area Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.03, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Nicolet Area Technical College.
- Frank Phillips CollegeBorger, TX · Close peer39% grad $37,179 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Otero CollegeLa Junta, CO · Close peer37% grad $39,018 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Arkansas State University Three RiversMalvern, AR · Close peer30% grad $37,374 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- George Stone Technical CollegePensacola, FL · Close peer43% grad $35,234 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Kauai Community CollegeLihue, HI · Close peer37% grad $36,868 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology NorthwestNewbern, TN · Close peer67% grad $38,514 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Nicolet Area Technical College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs above average at Nicolet Area Technical College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.03, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note