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Computer Science at Northwood Technical College

Rice Lake, WI · Public · Certificate · Computer and Information Sciences, General

a smaller institution with 2,026 students in Rice Lake, WI.

Program Analysis

At $50,239 per year, Computer Science graduates from Northwood Technical College significantly outpace the $38,485 national average for this trade, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 116.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Computer Science programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Computer Science's career paths, with 69% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 1% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $5,817 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #10 of 109 programs, Northwood Technical College's Computer Science program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Computer Science, including Data Scientist (median $112,590/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

83 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
74
Low End
83
Score
85
High End
Earnings $50,239/yr (31% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (31% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (338,800 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$530K
1.2% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
117.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 14
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,524
Out-of-state: $6,583
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,817
1.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Computer Science graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Computer and information systems managers $171,200 +15.2% 47%
Computer and information research scientists $140,910 +19.7% 37%
Database architects $135,980 +8.7% 6%
Computer and information systems managers
$171,200
+15.2% growth 47% AI-proof
Computer and information research scientists
$140,910
+19.7% growth 37% AI-proof
Database architects
$135,980
+8.7% growth 6% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Computer Science Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Computer Science careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering engineering & technology.

Read the full Computer Science career guide →

Compare & Explore

Computer Science Overview

View all 109 schools offering Computer Science →

Computer Science at Other Schools

Colorado State University Global ($61,737) Des Moines Area Community College ($60,163) University of Nebraska at Omaha ($58,750) Salt Lake Community College ($57,428) Salt Lake Community College ($55,961) Southeast Community College Area ($55,738) Wake Technical Community College ($55,264) Front Range Community College ($53,219)

Other Majors at Northwood Technical College

Nursing ($64,281) Heavy Equipment Technology ($55,793) Criminal Justice ($44,966) Allied Health Professions ($43,765) Precision Metalworking ($42,282) Business Administration ($41,564) IT Management ($41,473) Medical Assisting ($36,070)

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Compare Computer Science degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 83/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Computer Science at Northwood Technical College?
At 83/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How vulnerable is Computer Science to AI automation?
AI won't eliminate Computer Science careers, but it may reshape them. At Northwood Technical College, a score of 83/100 already accounts for the 69% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
What's the typical debt for Computer Science graduates from Northwood Technical College?
Median debt of just $5,817 against $50,239/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 1 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn Computer Science through an apprenticeship instead of Northwood Technical College?
There are 2 registered apprenticeships connected to Computer Science occupations, such as Data Scientist and It Project Manager. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Will Computer Science graduates from Northwood Technical College find jobs?
The career paths mapped to Computer Science have roughly 338,800 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by ongoing digital transformation and technology adoption.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →