Business Operations Support at Northwood Technical College

Rice Lake, WI · Public · Associate Degree · Business Operations Support and Assistant Services

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

Program Analysis

Northwood Technical College's Business Operations Support graduates start at $27,494/yr — above the $26,180 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 42.1x 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 67% of job tasks, producing a 37% spread between best and worst-case decade earnings. The field isn't immune to disruption.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,667 in median debt clears fast against $27,494 in annual earnings.

Ranked #28 out of 155 programs, Northwood Technical College's Business Operations Support program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $27,494 to $41,464 over five years (51% increase) indicates that graduates in this trade see meaningful salary progression.

With 17 registered apprenticeships mapped to Business Operations Support, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

58 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
58
Score
63
High End
Earnings $27,494/yr (5% vs median)
AI-Proof Exposed (33% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (1,381,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$456K
10.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
50.4x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
14 of 18
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)
$9,048
Out-of-state: $13,166
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,667
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$41,464
51% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business Operations Support graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Business operations specialists, all other $81,270 +3.0% 48%
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants $74,260 -1.6% 35%
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers $66,140 -0.3% 51%
Business operations specialists, all other
$81,270
+3.0% growth 48% AI-proof
Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants
$74,260
-1.6% growth 35% AI-proof
First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
$66,140
-0.3% growth 51% AI-proof

View all 18 career paths with full salary data →

Business Operations Support Career Guide

From day-one roles to senior positions, Business Operations Support careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering business & office.

Read the full Business Operations Support career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Operations Support Overview

Business Operations Support 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 Business Operations Support program score?
This program scores 58/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Business Operations Support graduates.
Should I worry about AI if I study Business Operations Support at Northwood Technical College?
The 67% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — Northwood Technical College graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
What makes Northwood Technical College's Business Operations Support program stand out?
Among 155 Business Operations Support programs, Northwood Technical College's #28 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Can I learn Business Operations Support through an apprenticeship instead of Northwood Technical College?
If Northwood Technical College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 17 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business Operations Support. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Business Operations Support from Northwood Technical College?
At 1,381,100 annual openings, Business Operations Support has a very large employment base. Northwood Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →