Home › Northwood Technical College › Practical Nursing

Practical Nursing at Northwood Technical College

Rice Lake, WI · Public · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

with a smaller student body of 2,026 in Rice Lake, WI.

Program Analysis

Northwood Technical College's Practical Nursing graduates start at $26,492/yr, trailing the $44,151 national average by 40%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

The 101.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI exposure is significant at 18% of job tasks, producing a 40% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,500 in median debt clears fast against $26,492 in annual earnings.

At #437 out of 703 programs, Northwood Technical College's financial outcomes for Practical Nursing trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $26,492 to $57,622 over five years (118% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

Practical Nursing connects to 2 apprenticeship options. The earn-while-you-learn model can be a strong alternative or complement to a certificate program.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
67
Score
68
High End
Earnings $26,492/yr (-40% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$465K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
102.8x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
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
$5,500
2.5 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$57,622
118% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

Practical Nursing Career Guide

What can you do with a Practical Nursing credential from Northwood Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

View all 703 schools offering Practical Nursing →

Practical Nursing at Other Schools

Harmony Health Care Institute ($85,953) Schoolcraft Community College District ($75,104) Saint Michael College of Allied Health ($74,782) Otero College ($74,405) Beal University ($72,467) Unitek College ($72,368) Shawsheen Valley School of Practical Nursing ($72,230) Southern Worcester County Regional Vocational School District ($67,498)

Other Majors at Northwood Technical College

Nursing ($64,281) Heavy Equipment Technology ($55,793) Computer Science ($50,239) Criminal Justice ($44,966) Allied Health Professions ($43,765) Precision Metalworking ($42,282) Business Administration ($41,564) IT Management ($41,473)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Practical Nursing degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwood Technical College's Practical Nursing program score?
At 67/100, the score looks reasonable — but Practical Nursing is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
How safe is Practical Nursing from automation?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Northwood Technical College's score of 67/100 reflects this durability.
How affordable is Practical Nursing at Northwood Technical College?
At $5,500 in median debt, Practical Nursing graduates from Northwood Technical College carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can you still earn well with Practical Nursing from Northwood Technical College?
Lower starting pay at Northwood Technical College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Practical Nursing through an apprenticeship instead of Northwood Technical College?
If Northwood Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 2 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Practical Nursing. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
Job availability for Practical Nursing is strong — 258,500 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Northwood Technical College graduates specifically, local market conditions in WI may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →