Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Northwood Technical College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$14,116Annual Cost
$43,406Grad Salary
30%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$8,892
Need-Based Aid
30% receive Pell
Northwood Technical College, founded in 1912, is a public technical college in Wisconsin with multiple campuses. It offers programs in automotive, forestry, and IT. The campus features a Fab Lab and apprenticeship partnerships.
Northwood is unranked but excels in trades training for rural Wisconsin. Its locations support manufacturing and natural resource industries.
Northwood Technical College Acceptance Rate
Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Northwood Technical College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Northwood Technical College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
Northwood Tech reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
💡 The scholarship deadline (FAFSA Priority: 2026/02/01) often falls before the regular admission deadline. Submit your application and FAFSA early to be considered for maximum aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at Northwood Tech
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Northwood Technical College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Northwood Tech Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Northwood Technical College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Northwood Tech
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Northwood Tech provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Complete the Nursing Assistant program before applying to the ADN track
Northwood Tech's Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program requires completion of the Nursing Assistant (NA) technical diploma as a prerequisite - the NA program does NOT ladder directly into other programs on its own, but is specifically required before starting ADN. A student aiming for RN licensure should treat the NA program as the deliberate first step in a two-stage plan, not a detour, and should apply to it with the ADN pathway already in mind.
Start background checks early - multiple states may apply
ADN and NA applicants need a Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check AND a National Criminal Background Check, PLUS a Minnesota Caregiver Background Check if the student is at the Superior campus or otherwise applicable - a multi-state requirement specific to Northwood Tech's location near the WI/MN border. Because these checks are run through CastleBranch and take processing time, and clinical agencies can reject placement based on findings, start this process as soon as accepted rather than waiting for the mandatory orientation deadline.
Consider the UWEC Nursing Alliance pathway - but watch its separate deadlines
Northwood Tech partners with University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire on a Nursing Alliance track with its own distinct application packet, deadlines, and requirements (submitted directly to the UWEC Nursing Alliance Program Director, not general Northwood admissions) - and these applications open and close on their own schedule (e.g., Fall 2025 cycle was already closed by the time Spring 2026 info was being finalized). A student interested in this specific pathway needs to track the Alliance's own deadline separately from standard Northwood Tech admissions deadlines.
Apply by the district-resident priority date for the term you want
Northwood Tech has no hard application cutoff, but district residents who apply by specific priority dates (Jan 1 for fall-term programs, May 1 for spring, Oct 1 for summer) get admission priority over non-district state residents; after those dates, district residents drop to equal priority with everyone else. A student living inside the district should apply well before these dates rather than assuming "no deadline" means timing doesn't matter.
Expert Insight:
Families sometimes treat all Northwood Tech nursing pathways (direct ADN, LPN-to-ADN, UWEC Alliance, part-time ADN) as interchangeable entry points with the same requirements - they are not. Each has its own prerequisite sequence, background-check scope, and application deadline, and clinical placement is never guaranteed even after admission if a student can't meet a specific clinical site's requirements (e.g., certain vaccinations or test types). Confirm which specific track a student is pursuing before assuming any given requirement applies.
Northwood Tech Profile
Full Name
Northwood Technical College (Northwood Tech)
City
Rice Lake
State
Wisconsin
ZIP Code
54868
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a Northwood Tech Degree Worth It?
Getting into Northwood Tech can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Northwood Tech offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Northwood Tech is $51,800 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.88%.
How much does a degree from Northwood Tech Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Northwood Technical College is $14,116. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Northwood Technical College is $8,892.
30% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 26.1 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Northwood Tech and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Northwood Technical College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Northwood Tech as your choice in the form.
How much does a Northwood Tech Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $43,406. An average Northwood Tech graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Northwood Tech
Associate Degree Programs
UG Certificate or Diploma Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Northwood Tech Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $43,406 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $14,116 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
30.0% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
The application fee for Northwood Technical College is 30. Fee waivers may be available for eligible students.
The scholarship priority deadline is FAFSA Priority: 2026/02/01. Submit your FAFSA before this date for maximum aid consideration.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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