Career Training Path › Wisconsin › Nicolet Area Technical College
Nicolet Area Technical College
Rhinelander, Wisconsin · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 5364 College Drive, Rhinelander, WI 54501 · Phone: (715) 365-4410 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Nicolet Area Technical College is a public trade school in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, offering CNA classes, cosmetology, and welding programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, Nicolet Area Technical College has a 43.8% completion rate versus a 62.8% state average, with median graduate debt of $7,837 and median earnings of $38,643 ten years after entry.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Nicolet Area Technical College; it participates in Title IV federal financial aid, and 31.6% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nursing assistants | $37,900 | $45,130 | $47,320 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,790 | $36,230 | $47,060 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $47,060 | $58,410 | $62,220 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $51,820 | $63,760 | $75,010 |
| Medical assistants | $39,480 | $48,680 | $55,000 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $41,990 | $61,300 | $74,080 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,590 | $54,350 | $69,570 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $33,550 | $43,060 | $49,960 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Wisconsin (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 95 | $22,240 | not reported | $7,125 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $22,240 | not reported | $7,125 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $37,556 | $31,127 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | $27,876 | $27,397 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | $37,556 | $31,127 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | $37,556 | $31,127 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Nicolet Area Technical College is a public trade and career school in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, located in a fringe rural area. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and, for its nursing programs, by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and it participates in federal Title IV financial aid programs, meaning students may use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants. The campus offers 13 program families, most heavily in CNA classes (95 completers), cosmetology (21 completers), and welding (18 completers), along with programs in LPN, medical assisting, culinary arts, auto mechanics, and EMT training.
According to federal data, the campus's completion rate is 43.8%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%. Median debt among graduates who took out loans is $7,837, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,643. About 31.6% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of the student body qualifies for need-based aid. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
Given its mix of short certificate programs (CNA, cosmetology, welding) and its rural fringe setting, this campus may suit students seeking hands-on, shorter-duration credentials rather than multi-year associate degrees, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Career changers should confirm program length, schedule, and licensing requirements directly with the school. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and outcomes through the Higher Learning Commission, the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Nicolet Area Technical College offers 13 program families, with the most completers in CNA classes (95), cosmetology (21), and welding (18). It also offers LPN, medical assistant, culinary, auto mechanic, and EMT training programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, it is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 43.8%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median debt among graduates is $7,837, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $38,643, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Nicolet Area Technical College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state-supported funding, though specific tuition figures are not reported here.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program length is not reported in the available data; contact the school at (715) 365-4410 or visit its website to confirm program durations.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and review federal outcome data at the College Scorecard link: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?239442.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The presence of shorter certificate-style programs such as CNA, cosmetology, and welding may appeal to career changers, but specific program lengths and schedules are not detailed in this data, so contacting the school is recommended.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to confirm requirements for specific programs like CNA or LPN.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Nicolet Area Technical College at (715) 365-4410 or visit https://www.nicoletcollege.edu/ for application details.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this dataset; use the College Scorecard link to research other institutions offering similar programs.
Nearby trade and career schools in Wisconsin
- Advanced Welding InstituteEagle River, WI · career school
- Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton, WI · 65% completion
- Gateway Technical CollegeKenosha, WI · 51% completion
- Milwaukee Area Technical CollegeMilwaukee, WI · 25% completion
- Northeast Wisconsin Technical CollegeGreen Bay, WI · 51% completion
- Madison Area Technical CollegeMadison, WI · college
- Waukesha County Technical CollegePewaukee, WI · 44% completion
- Chippewa Valley Technical CollegeEau Claire, WI · 50% completion
See all trade and career schools in Wisconsin or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.