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Northwood Technical College

#8 Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin
Public Rice Lake, WI · Town · Great Lakes · 87% data
B+ Value B+ Affordability C+ Earnings
Graduation Rate
54% C-
About half of students who start complete their degree
Earnings (10yr)
$43,406 C+
Roughly in line with national averages
Net Price
$8,989 B+
48% less than the typical college
Enrollment
2,149
Earnings +6% vs avg
Graduation -6% vs avg
Net Price +-48% vs avg

Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 24.7× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $24.7 over 20 years. Ranked #8 in Most Affordable Colleges in Wisconsin.

24.7× return on investment

Every $1 spent returns $24.7 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $852,746.

What The Data Says

  1. A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.

  2. Every $1 invested returns $24.7 over 20 years — an exceptional return.

About Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.

Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.

Institutional Profile

Institution Type
Public College
Carnegie Class
Associate's College
Enrollment
2,149
Setting
Town
Primary Strengths
Health Professions, Precision Production, Business & Marketing, Mechanic & Repair Tech

Why students choose Northwood Technical College

Outstanding value
Low net price against strong graduate earnings
Strength in Health Professions
Its most-awarded field of study

CollegeRanker Report Card

Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.

C+
Top 40% overall
C+
Earnings
$43,406 median
B+
Value
4.8× net price
B+
Affordability
$8,989/yr net
C-
Graduation
54% graduate
F
Diversity
0.27 index

Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.

How we grade →

Overview

With around 2,149 students enrolled, Northwood Technical College in Rice Lake, WI, appeals to those seeking practical skills for the workforce. The college stands out for its programs in Health Professions, Precision Production, Business & Marketing, Education, and Mechanic & Repair Tech. These areas not only align with job market demands but also offer students hands-on experience that can lead directly to employment.

After graduation, students can expect to earn an average of $43,406 within ten years. This figure highlights the potential for a stable income that many graduates can achieve, particularly in fields like health and technical trades where demand is high. For many, this is a significant step up from what they might have earned without a degree. The affordability of attending Northwood contributes to this, with a net price of $8,989 after aid, making it a practical choice for many students.

In terms of debt, graduates leave with a median load of $8,250, which is manageable given their earning potential. This financial landscape allows students to focus on their careers rather than being burdened by overwhelming student loans. Those who thrive here often appreciate the targeted training and community-oriented atmosphere, making it a solid choice for individuals ready to jumpstart their careers in practical fields.

Rankings

Can I Get In?

How selective Northwood Technical College is — and how your numbers stack up.

Tool

Will I Be Accepted?

Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.

3.0
Test Score
1050
21

Academics & Admissions

Is It Hard to Get Into Northwood Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Northwood Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.

Retention Rate
80%
Full-Time Faculty
26%
Faculty Salary (mo)
$8,812
Student–Faculty Ratio
5:1
Diversity Index
0.27
First-Gen Students
42%

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 Northwood Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Northwood Technical College is $7,169, 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 $8,989. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,515 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,250 in federal student loans.

In-State Tuition
$4,926
Out-of-State
$7,169
Avg Net Price
$8,989
Median Debt
$8,250
Pell Grant Rate
31%
Federal Loan Rate
24%

What Families Actually Pay

Family Income $0–$30K
$6,515
Family Income $30K–$48K
$7,601
Family Income $48K–$75K
$9,154
Family Income $110K+
$14,726

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 Northwood Technical College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.

Compare schools in the full simulator →Sources: College Scorecard, Common Data Set, Opportunity Insights · today's dollars (CPI-adjusted) · descriptive, not predictive

Graduate Outcomes

Is Northwood Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Northwood Technical College report median earnings of $43,406, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

6 Years After Entry
$42,439
8 Years
$41,946
10 Years
$43,406
Debt-to-Earnings
0.19x
Earning > $25K
55%

Earnings Trajectory

$42,439 6yr $41,946 8yr $43,406 10yr

Graduation by Timeframe

100% (169)
50%
100% (169)
50%
100% (169)
50%
100% (169)
50%

How Northwood Compares

Dot right of center = above national average.

NATIONAL AVGGraduation54%Earnings 10yr$43KNet Price$9KRetention80%Median Debt$8KPell Grant Rate31%

Net Price by Family Income

What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.

$7K$0-30K$8K$30-48K$9K$48-75K$15K$110K+

College ROI Calculator

Is Northwood Technical College Worth It?

A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.

Yes — for most students, Northwood Technical College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $8,989/year ($35,956 total). Graduates earn $43,406 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $888,702 in total earnings — a net gain of $852,746 (24.7× your investment). The median debt is $8,250, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 54% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.

Total Cost (4yr)
$35,956
Projected 20yr Earnings
$888,702
Net Return
$852,746
ROI Multiple
24.7×
Cost Per Year
$8,989
Median Debt
$8,250
Debt Payback
Less than 1 yr
Graduation Rate
54%

Does It Change Lives?

Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?

Institutional Finances

Data: NCES IPEDS

Endowment
$4,833,255
Federal Grants
$7,479,756
Investment Income
$-702,377

Top Programs

The fields Northwood 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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Hard to Get Into Northwood Technical College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements

Based in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, Northwood Technical College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 54%.

How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northwood Technical College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid

Published tuition at Northwood Technical College is $7,169, 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 $8,989. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,515 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $8,250 in federal student loans.

Is Northwood Technical College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI

Ten years out, alumni of Northwood Technical College report median earnings of $43,406, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.

Similar Schools

Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northwood Technical College.

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes for 2026 — report cover Download PDF

The 2026 Annual Report

The State of American Higher Education Outcomes

Every state graded on what graduates earn, how far they climb, and what college really costs — the hidden geography of economic mobility, in one report.

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