Quick Facts

• Location: Rice Lake, Wisconsin
• Address: 1900 College Dr, Rice Lake, WI 54868
• School Type: Public Technical College
• Programs Offered: Automotive Technology, Welding, Industrial/Manufacturing programs, Construction & Cabinetmaking, Power Equipment, Apprenticeships, Healthcare, Business and many additional programs across the Northwood Tech district
• Training Style: Hands-on technical labs, classroom instruction, technical diplomas, associate degrees and registered apprenticeships
• Tuition Range: $178.45 per credit including standard tuition/fees for Wisconsin residents in 2026–27; individual program estimates vary
• Program Length: Short credentials through one- and two-year technical programs; apprenticeships generally 2–5 years
• Online Programs Available: Yes, selected programs/courses
• Hybrid Learning: Available in selected areas; mechanical trades typically require substantial on-campus training
• Financial Aid: Grants, loans, work-study, scholarships, veterans benefits and vocational-rehabilitation assistance for qualifying students
• Class Options: Full-time, part-time, campus and selected flexible formats
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.3 (41 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Northwood Technical College is the public technical-college district serving much of northwestern Wisconsin. The Rice Lake campus is the college’s administrative home and offers a broad range of career education.

For TradeSchoolScout, an important distinction is that not every Northwood Tech trade program is taught at Rice Lake. Welding is offered throughout the district, and Automotive Technician is specifically available at Rice Lake, while the college’s complete two-year HVAC/R program is based at the Superior campus.

That campus distinction should be preserved in the listing rather than implying every Northwood Tech program is available at 1900 College Drive.

Programs Offered

Relevant technical pathways across Northwood Tech include:

• Automotive Service Technician
• Automotive Technician
• Welding
• HVAC Installation Technician
• HVAC/R
• Industrial Maintenance
• Automation
• CNC/Machining
• Construction & Cabinetmaking
• Agricultural/Diesel equipment
• Power Sports
• Small Engine Repair
• Registered apprenticeships

Automotive Technician — Rice Lake

The Automotive Technician technical diploma is specifically offered at Rice Lake.

Current program details:

• 54 credits
• 2 years
• Estimated 2026–27 tuition — $10,946
• Financial-aid eligible

Students train with modern diagnostic and repair systems while learning:

• Automotive electrical systems
• Engine repair
• Brakes
• Steering and suspension
• Drivetrain systems
• Vehicle electronics
• Diagnostic procedures

The pathway is stackable. Students can earn:

1. Automotive Maintenance & Light Repair Technician
2. Automotive Service Technician
3. Automotive Technician

The one-year Automotive Service Technician level requires 28 credits and currently has estimated tuition of $5,633.

One important cost consideration is tools. Northwood currently estimates up to $8,602 for tools, supplies and uniforms, although tools are available for students to use while working in the campus lab.

Welding

Northwood Tech’s Welding diploma is:

• 32 credits
• 1 year
• Estimated 2026–27 tuition — $7,617
• Estimated tools/supplies/uniforms — $550
• Financial-aid eligible

Students spend the majority of their technical time in welding labs and train using:

• GMAW / MIG
• SMAW / Stick
• FCAW
• GTAW / TIG
• CNC plasma cutting
• Robotic welding
• Cutting processes
• Fabrication
• Welding drawings and symbols

Northwood states that welding training is available at all four of its main locations, with New Richmond and Superior additionally offering daytime and evening options.

The curriculum is aligned with American Welding Society skill standards.

HVAC: Important Campus Note

Northwood Tech has strong HVAC options, but the full two-year HVAC/R diploma is based at Superior rather than Rice Lake.

That program is currently:

• 54 credits
• 2 years
• Estimated tuition — $10,311
• Tools/supplies/uniforms — about $914
• Financial-aid eligible

It covers electricity, heating, residential air conditioning, refrigeration, geothermal systems, sheet-metal fabrication, direct digital controls and commercial HVAC.

Northwood also has a one-year HVAC Installation Technician pathway with estimated tuition of $5,155, plus about $792 in tools/supplies.

For the Rice Lake Directorist listing, I would not place HVAC in Quick Facts as a Rice Lake campus program unless the current enrollment system confirms that particular cohort is available there.

Apprenticeships

Northwood Tech participates in Wisconsin registered apprenticeships, with offerings across its district that include fields such as:

• Carpentry
• Electrical Construction
• Maintenance Mechanic/Millwright
• Plumbing
• Manufacturing occupations

Apprenticeships differ from normal college programs because students generally must have an employer/apprenticeship contract before beginning related instruction.

Program locations vary, so applicants should check whether the apprenticeship classroom component is actually scheduled at Rice Lake.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Northwood Tech’s current 2026–27 standard tuition and fees are:

• Wisconsin residents — $178.45 per credit
• Minnesota residents — $178.45 per credit
• Qualifying Michigan/Gogebic residents — $178.45 per credit
• Other out-of-state students — $257.18 per credit

These figures combine the statewide tuition/material component and Northwood’s standard incidental fee. Program-specific tools, books, uniforms and supplies may be additional.

Approximately 75% of Northwood Tech students use some form of financial aid, according to the college. Aid can include grants, loans, work-study, veterans benefits, vocational-rehabilitation funding and scholarships.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public technical-college pricing
• Automotive program offered at Rice Lake
• Stackable automotive credentials
• One-year welding diploma
• Advanced welding equipment including robotics
• Financial aid for qualifying programs
• Multiple Northwood Tech campuses
• Registered apprenticeships
• Short and two-year credential options

Career Opportunities

Depending on the selected program, graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Automotive Technician
• Automotive Service Technician
• Welder/Fabricator
• Production Welder
• Robotic Welding Technician
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• Manufacturing Technician
• Construction Trades Worker
• Apprentice Carpenter
• Apprentice Electrician or Plumber where appropriate

Additional apprenticeship, licensing or certification requirements can apply.

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.3 (41 Reviews)

The sample is smaller than those for many Wisconsin technical colleges, and Northwood operates multiple campuses. Prospective students should prioritize recent Rice Lake reviews and comments specific to their program.

Enrollment Tips

The biggest enrollment tip here is verify the campus before applying. Northwood Tech markets programs district-wide, and a program appearing on the main website does not necessarily mean its hands-on labs are at Rice Lake.

Automotive students should also examine the stackable pathway closely. The one-year Automotive Service Technician credential costs about $5,633 in tuition, while continuing to the two-year Automotive Technician diploma brings estimated tuition to $10,946.

Bottom Line

Northwood Technical College’s Rice Lake campus is a strong public option, particularly for students seeking automotive and welding training. The Automotive Technician diploma is a two-year, 54-credit program with current estimated tuition of $10,946, while Welding is a one-year, 32-credit diploma at $7,617. The main thing to watch is campus availability: Northwood operates multiple Wisconsin locations, so students should verify that their selected trade is actually taught at Rice Lake before enrolling.