At $9,290/yr net price, Nicolet Area Technical College graduates earn $38,643/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,643/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,290 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $37,160 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,643/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,643/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,837 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,740/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,484/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,506/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,912/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,710/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,964 | $11,500 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $31,127 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $27,439 | $8,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $27,397 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
45.3% of students at Nicolet Area Technical College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Nicolet Area Technical College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. With median debt under $8,000 and a net price below $10,000 a year, you won't dig a deep financial hole here. The problem is the median earnings ten years out sit near $38,600, which is close to what many jobs pay without any degree at all.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate degree in registered nursing pays about $56,000, and even with the higher debt load of roughly $11,500 attached to it, that gap over the school median makes it the one program that reliably pays for itself. Precision Metal Working at around $31,000 gives you a shorter certificate route into local trades. Everything else is weak on the numbers. The Liberal Arts associate degree earns about $27,400, and the medical assisting and health administrative certificates land in the same low range. If you enroll in one of those expecting a strong return, the math does not work.
The main risk here is finishing at all. The 45% graduation rate means fewer than half of you cross the finish line, and dropping out leaves you with debt and no credential to show for it. The rural Rhinelander job market also limits how far the non-nursing programs stretch.
Net price scales hard with income. Under $30,000, you pay about $5,700. over $110,000, you pay roughly $13,700. Lower-income families get a real discount and carry the least risk. This school is a good fit if you're heading into nursing or a specific local trade and want to keep debt near zero. If you want broad earnings potential from a general degree, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nicolet Area Technical College worth the money?
Nicolet Area Technical College offers decent value for students who complete their programs, with relatively low debt ($7,837 median) and a manageable net price of $9,290 per year. However, the 45% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly hurts the return on investment.
What are the best paying programs at Nicolet Area Technical College?
Nursing programs at Nicolet Area Technical College provide the strongest earnings potential at nearly $56,000 annually, followed by precision metalworking at $31,127. Most other programs lead to earnings in the mid-to-high $20,000 range, which may not justify the time and cost for all students.
How much debt do Nicolet Area Technical College graduates have?
Nicolet Area Technical College graduates carry a median debt of $7,837, which is relatively manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps make the investment worthwhile for students who complete their programs and find steady employment.
Do Nicolet Area Technical College graduates earn good salaries?
Nicolet Area Technical College graduates earn a median of $38,643 ten years after enrollment, which varies significantly by program. Nursing graduates do well financially, but graduates from general studies and health administration programs may struggle to earn enough to justify even the modest costs.