At $8,892/yr net price, Northwood Technical College graduates earn $43,406/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,406/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,892 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $35,568 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,406/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,406/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,525/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,397/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,284/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,558/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,166/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Certificate | $57,318 | $8,500 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $50,930 | $9,167 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $38,313 | $9,434 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $34,603 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $31,423 | $5,500 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $30,228 | $13,667 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $30,228 | $5,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $29,685 | $11,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $27,874 | $10,003 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $27,343 | $8,000 |
The Risk Factor
51.5% of students at Northwood 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
Northwood Technical College keeps costs low and debt lower, which is the whole case for going here. You borrow a median of $8,250, less than a single year's net price, and you graduate in two years or less. That combination protects you from the biggest risk in higher education: heavy debt with no degree to show for it.
The payoff depends entirely on which program you pick. Nursing is the strongest bet on the associate side, landing you above $50,000 a year while you carry only slightly more debt than the school average. The heavy equipment maintenance certificate pays even more, but it's a certificate, not a degree, so treat that number as a trade credential and not a college outcome. Precision metal working and medical assisting sit at the bottom near $34,000 and $31,000, though both cost you the least to finish at $5,500 in debt. Criminal justice pays under $40,000 while carrying the most debt on this list, which makes it the weakest value here.
The regional risk is that these earnings tie you to skilled trades and healthcare in rural northwest Wisconsin. Those jobs exist locally, but the ceiling is lower than a four-year path, and the school's median earnings a decade out reflect that.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families and penalize higher ones. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay the least. cross $48,000 and your price jumps by thousands, then stays high above $110,000. A little over half of students finish, so the return only lands if you're one of them.
Come here for nursing or the trades if you want fast, cheap training near home. Look elsewhere if you want a four-year degree or higher earning potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwood Technical College worth the cost?
Northwood Technical College offers reasonable value with a low net price of $8,892 per year and median debt of only $8,250. However, the 51% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts ROI for those who don't finish.
Which programs at Northwood Technical College have the best return on investment?
Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Registered Nursing programs provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning $57,318 and $50,930 respectively. These earnings justify the low tuition costs, while programs like Allied Health ($31,423) offer weaker financial outcomes.
How much debt do Northwood Technical College graduates typically have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $8,250, which is manageable compared to most colleges. The low debt load helps offset the modest earning potential of some programs.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Northwood Technical College?
Job prospects vary significantly by program, with technical fields like heavy equipment maintenance offering strong earning potential at $57,318. The overall average of $43,406 ten years after graduation is reasonable given the low cost and debt levels.