Accounting at Northcentral Technical College

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.