Health and Medical Administrative Services at Northwood Technical College

Northwood Technical College's medical administrative services program produces graduates earning slightly above the Wisconsin median ($34,672 versus $34,156 statewide), but manages to do so with notably lower debt than most programs. At $16,285, students here borrow roughly $6,400 less than the typical Wisconsin student in this field—a meaningful advantage that translates to more manageable monthly payments.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.47 is particularly strong for an associate degree program, meaning graduates owe less than half their first-year salary. While other Wisconsin programs like Western Technical and Fox Valley produce higher earners, they often come with steeper debt loads. For students prioritizing affordability, Northwood's combination of below-average borrowing and above-average earnings creates breathing room early in their careers.

The tradeoff is clear: you're accepting middle-of-the-pack earnings ($7,000 less than the top Wisconsin programs) in exchange for entering the workforce with significantly less debt. For families concerned about loan burden, especially those already stretching to make college work, this program offers a practical path into healthcare administration without the financial stress that often accompanies it.