Degree Dividend
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Blackhawk Technical College vs Northwood Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Janesville WI · vs · Public, Rice Lake WI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northwood Technical College comes closer — median earnings $43,406 against a $35,956 total, vs $41,620 at Blackhawk Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBlackhawk Technical CollegeNorthwood Technical College
Net price / yr$9,330$8,989
Total net cost$37,320$35,956
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,620$43,406
Median debt$9,550$8,250
Payback
20-year net return-$172,120-$135,036

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Blackhawk Technical College or Northwood Technical College?

Northwood Technical College, at $8,989 a year after aid versus $9,330 — a gap of $341 a year, or $1,364 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Blackhawk Technical College or Northwood Technical College graduates earn more?

Northwood Technical College graduates report a median $43,406 ten years after entry, $1,786 more than the $41,620 at Blackhawk Technical College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Blackhawk Technical College or Northwood Technical College?

Northwood Technical College: its completers carry a median $8,250 in federal loans versus $9,550 at Blackhawk Technical College, a difference of $1,300. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at Northwood Technical College, against 34% at Blackhawk Technical College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Blackhawk Technical College vs Northwood Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Blackhawk Technical College or Northwood Technical College a better value?
Northwood Technical College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Blackhawk Technical College or Northwood Technical College?
Northwood Technical College: $8,989/yr net price after aid versus $9,330/yr at Blackhawk Technical College — a difference of $341 a year, or about $1,364 over four years.
Do Blackhawk Technical College or Northwood Technical College graduates earn more?
Northwood Technical College graduates earn a median $43,406 ten years after entry, versus $41,620 at Blackhawk Technical College — a $1,786 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.