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Northwood Technical College
Rice Lake, Wisconsin · Public technical college · Training programs available:
Address: 1900 College Dr., Rice Lake, WI 54868 · Phone: (800) 243-9482 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Northwood Technical College is a public trade school in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, offering welding, CNA, and EMT training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Northwood Technical College's completion rate is 56.3%, below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%; graduates carry a median debt of $8,250 and earn a median of $43,406 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Northwood Technical College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid can be used here, and about 30.5% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $47,060 | $58,410 | $62,220 |
| Nursing assistants | $37,900 | $45,130 | $47,320 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $33,550 | $43,060 | $49,960 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $45,930 | $61,710 | $79,100 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $44,920 | $58,610 | $63,870 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $23,790 | $36,230 | $47,060 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $36,590 | $54,350 | $69,570 |
| Medical records specialists | $46,750 | $60,280 | $66,140 |
| Machinists | $40,600 | $59,110 | $63,350 |
| Construction laborers | $37,990 | $56,100 | $72,130 |
| Medical assistants | $39,480 | $48,680 | $55,000 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $50,020 | $81,210 | $103,560 |
| Dental assistants | $39,500 | $47,520 | $55,630 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $36,080 | $45,970 | $50,070 |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators | $51,370 | $75,280 | $94,610 |
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 | 296 | $20,810 | not reported | $5,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, under 300 hours | 248 | $40,582 | $34,603 | $5,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 96 | $40,582 | $34,603 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 68 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 52 | $40,582 | $34,603 | $5,500 |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 51 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 41 | $20,032 | $17,859 | $5,500 |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 34 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | $25,549 | $27,343 | $8,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 22 | $40,582 | $34,603 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 21 | $30,858 | $31,423 | $5,500 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 17 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 2–4 years | 14 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 13 | $32,152 | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | $27,547 | $30,228 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 11 | not reported | not reported | $5,500 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 2–4 years | 9 | $40,582 | $34,603 | $5,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 9 | $27,547 | $30,228 | $5,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | $27,547 | $30,228 | $5,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | $25,549 | $27,343 | $8,000 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 8 | $40,582 | $34,603 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | not reported | $14,271 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 6 | $27,547 | $30,228 | $5,500 |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 2–4 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 5 | $27,547 | $30,228 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | $30,858 | $31,423 | $5,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | $20,032 | $17,859 | $5,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | $27,547 | $30,228 | $5,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $25,549 | $27,343 | $8,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $20,810 | not reported | $5,500 |
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
Northwood Technical College is a public trade and career training campus in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-level accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used at this school. Its most-awarded programs are welding, CNA classes, and EMT & paramedic training, part of a broader offering of 35 program types spanning fields like HVAC, CDL training, cosmetology, and medical assisting.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 56.3%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%. Graduates carry a median debt of $8,250, and median earnings 10 years after entry are $43,406. About 30.5% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
With a mix of short career-certificate programs like welding and CNA training alongside longer clinical tracks such as EMT training, this campus may suit both new students and adult career-changers seeking hands-on, shorter-term credentials, though program length details are not listed here. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status directly with the Higher Learning Commission and review outcome data on the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Northwood Technical College offers 35 program types, with welding, CNA classes, and EMT & paramedic training as its top programs. Other fields include HVAC, CDL training, cosmetology, medical assisting, and construction trades.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional programmatic accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation.
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 and Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 56.3%, which is below the Wisconsin state average of 62.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,250, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $43,406, 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 at (800) 243-9482 or visit its website for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Northwood Technical College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition rates for in-state residents and public accountability standards.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school for details on program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission and review federal outcome data on the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?240198.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The school offers a range of shorter career-certificate programs like welding and CNA training alongside longer clinical tracks like EMT training, though specific fit for career-changers is not detailed in federal data; contact the school to discuss options.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Specific licensing or certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or check with the relevant program accreditor for details.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Northwood Technical College at (800) 243-9482 or visit https://www.northwoodtech.edu/ for application information.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with other nearby schools is not reported in this data; consult the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?240198 to compare outcomes.
Nearby trade and career schools in Wisconsin
- RlRice Lake, WI
- Dark Horse CDL School LadysmithLadysmith, WI
- Northwood Technical CollegeAshland, WI
- Northwood Technical CollegeBalsam Lake, WI
- Northwood Technical CollegeNew Richmond, WI
- Northwood Technical CollegeSuperior, WI
- Superior CDL School, LLC.Superior, WI
- Fox Valley Technical CollegeAppleton, WI · 65% 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.