Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Nicolet Area Technical College

Open-data reference.

We found 7 schools structurally similar to Nicolet Area Technical College that cost less. 7 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Nicolet Area Technical College

Rhinelander, Wisconsin · Public

$8,255
Net Price
$38,643
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
44.6%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Nicolet Area Technical College

Nicolet Area Technical College posts an average net price of $8,255 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Nicolet Area Technical College across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 7 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $4,287, achieved by Indiana University-Kokomo at $3,968. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 7 of the 7 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Nicolet Area Technical College’s $38,643, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $50,976.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

7
Alternatives Found
$4,287
Max Savings
7
Better Value Options
50%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. University of Maine at Fort $51k 2. Ohio University-Lancaster Ca $53k 3. Ohio University-Zanesville C $53k 4. Bellingham Technical College $50k 5. Saddleback College $51k Compared to Nicolet Area Technical College: $39k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
University of Maine at Fort Kent
Fort Kent, ME · Public Better Value
$7,482 -$773 $51,077 39.6% 50%
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH · Public Better Value
$5,650 -$2,605 $52,581 14.1% 46%
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public Better Value
$5,746 -$2,509 $52,581 19.7% 42%
Bellingham Technical College
Bellingham, WA · Public Better Value
$5,997 -$2,258 $49,748 44.4% 41%
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA · Public Better Value
$4,152 -$4,103 $50,874 45.6% 40%
Bates Technical College
Tacoma, WA · Public Better Value
$6,292 -$1,963 $50,051 43.4% 40%
Indiana University-Kokomo
Kokomo, IN · Public Better Value
$3,968 -$4,287 $49,917 45.2% 40%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Nicolet Area Technical College are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Nicolet Area Technical College?
We found 7 schools similar to Nicolet Area Technical College that cost less. The closest match is University of Maine at Fort Kent with 50% similarity and a net price of $7,482.
What is the ROI of attending Nicolet Area Technical College?
Nicolet Area Technical College has an average net price of $8,255. Former students earn a median of $38,643 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 4.7x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Nicolet Area Technical College for less money?
Yes - 7 of 7 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. University of Maine at Fort Kent costs $7,482 (saving $773) with median earnings of $51,077.
What is the cheapest alternative to Nicolet Area Technical College?
The most affordable similar school is Indiana University-Kokomo at $3,968, saving $4,287 compared to Nicolet Area Technical College. It has a 40% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 7 alternatives have an average median earnings of $50,976 compared to Nicolet Area Technical College's $38,643. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.