Accounting at Northwood Technical College

Rice Lake, WI · Public · Certificate · Accounting and Related Services

a compact campus enrolling 2,026 students in Rice Lake, WI.

Program Analysis

Northwood Technical College's Accounting program produces graduates earning $30,586/yr — within striking distance of the $35,807 national average for this trade.

The 86.3x 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 risk is moderate — 62% task exposure — and the 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Accounting graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,917 in median debt clears fast against $30,586 in annual earnings.

Ranked #49 out of 176 programs, Northwood Technical College's Accounting offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $30,586 to $39,589 shows 29% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 5 registered apprenticeships mapped to Accounting, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

69 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
69
Score
73
High End
Earnings $30,586/yr (-15% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (38% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (451,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$416K
6.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
91.9x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
13 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
$9,917
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$39,589
29% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Accounting graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Financial managers $161,700 +14.8% 50%
Financial risk specialists $106,000 +6.5% 47%
Financial and investment analysts $101,350 +5.7% 54%
Financial managers
$161,700
+14.8% growth 50% AI-proof
Financial risk specialists
$106,000
+6.5% growth 47% AI-proof
Financial and investment analysts
$101,350
+5.7% growth 54% AI-proof

View all 14 career paths with full salary data →

Accounting Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for Accounting — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Northwood Technical College and 175 other schools.

Read the full Accounting career guide →

Compare & Explore

Accounting Overview

Accounting at Other Schools

Other Majors at Northwood Technical College

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Northwood Technical College's Accounting program score?
This program scores 69/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Accounting graduates.
Should I worry about AI if I study Accounting at Northwood Technical College?
Our scenarios model 62% of Accounting tasks as AI-exposed. That doesn't mean job loss — it means role evolution. Northwood Technical College's 69/100 score weights this risk into the overall assessment.
Are there apprenticeship options for Accounting?
Yes — 5 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Accounting career paths, including Accounting Technician (Alternate Title: Accounting Specialist). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Northwood Technical College.
Will Accounting graduates from Northwood Technical College find jobs?
Job availability for Accounting is strong — 451,900 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 →