Location: Wausau, WI•In-State Tuition: $3,861•Out-of-State Tuition: $5,615
Median Earnings (1yr)
$36,562
70th percentile
60th percentile in Wisconsin
Median Debt
$13,305
2% above national median
D/E Ratio: 0.36 ManageableSample: 27 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Northcentral Technical College's accounting certificate punches above its weight in Wisconsin's crowded technical college market. At $36,562 in first-year earnings, graduates here outperform the state median by nearly $5,000—landing in the 60th percentile among Wisconsin's 23 programs. The $13,305 in typical debt sits below the state average and translates to a manageable 0.36 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning students should be able to repay their loans within a reasonable timeframe while building their careers.

The catch? These figures come from a small graduating class (under 30 students), so they may not perfectly predict your child's outcome. Still, the underlying economics make sense: technical accounting skills are in steady demand across Wisconsin's manufacturing and service sectors, and the certificate format keeps both costs and time commitments modest. Students can enter the workforce quickly with credentials that employers recognize.

For families in north-central Wisconsin seeking an affordable entry into accounting, this certificate offers solid regional value. While it won't match the $47,000 starting salaries at Rasmussen's program, it costs less and performs well within the technical college tier where most students will actually choose.

Where Northcentral Technical College Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all accounting certificate's programs nationally

Northcentral Technical CollegeOther accounting programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Northcentral Technical College graduates compare to all programs nationally

Northcentral Technical College earns $37k — 70th percentile among accounting certificate programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Accounting certificate's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (23 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Northcentral Technical CollegeWausau$3,861$36,562—$13,3050.36
Rasmussen University-WisconsinGreen Bay$11,982$47,506—$13,0470.27
Gateway Technical CollegeKenosha$4,853$37,881—$14,8560.39
Herzing University-MadisonMadison$13,420$31,620$26,473$24,2520.77
Herzing University-KenoshaKenosha$13,420$31,620$26,473$24,2520.77
Herzing University-BrookfieldBrookfield$13,420$31,620$26,473$24,2520.77
National Median—$31,684—$13,0470.41

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with accounting graduates

Financial Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate accounting, investing, banking, insurance, securities, and other financial activities of a branch, office, or department of an establishment.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Treasurers and Controllers

Direct financial activities, such as planning, procurement, and investments for all or part of an organization.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Investment Fund Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate investment strategy or operations for a large pool of liquid assets supplied by institutional investors or individual investors.

$161,700/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial and Investment Analysts

Conduct quantitative analyses of information involving investment programs or financial data of public or private institutions, including valuation of businesses.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Risk Specialists

Analyze and measure exposure to credit and market risk threatening the assets, earning capacity, or economic state of an organization. May make recommendations to limit risk.

$101,910/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Financial Examiners

Enforce or ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial and securities institutions and financial and real estate transactions. May examine, verify, or authenticate records.

$90,400/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Budget Analysts

Examine budget estimates for completeness, accuracy, and conformance with procedures and regulations. Analyze budgeting and accounting reports.

$87,930/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Business Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in business administration and management, such as accounting, finance, human resources, labor and industrial relations, marketing, and operations research. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Accountants and Auditors

Examine, analyze, and interpret accounting records to prepare financial statements, give advice, or audit and evaluate statements prepared by others. Install or advise on systems of recording costs or other financial and budgetary data.

$81,680/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents

Determine tax liability or collect taxes from individuals or business firms according to prescribed laws and regulations.

$59,740/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks

Compute, classify, and record numerical data to keep financial records complete. Perform any combination of routine calculating, posting, and verifying duties to obtain primary financial data for use in maintaining accounting records. May also check the accuracy of figures, calculations, and postings pertaining to business transactions recorded by other workers.

$49,210/yrJobs growth:Some college, no degree

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks

Compile and record employee time and payroll data. May compute employees' time worked, production, and commission. May compute and post wages and deductions, or prepare paychecks.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Northcentral Technical College, approximately 17% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 27 graduates with reported earnings and 33 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.