Career Training Path › Minnesota › Northland Community and Technical College
Northland Community and Technical College
Thief River Falls, Minnesota · Public technical college
Address: 1101 Hwy One East, Thief River Falls, MN 56701 · Phone: (218) 793-2800 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Northland Community and Technical College is a public trade school in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, offering LPN/LVN, CNA, and auto mechanic programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Northland Community and Technical College has a 56.0% completion rate, above the Minnesota state average of 48.2%, with median graduate debt of $12,000 and median earnings of $44,425 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Northland Community and Technical College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 21.7% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $51,700 | $63,750 | $71,270 |
| Nursing assistants | $38,010 | $46,680 | $49,330 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $38,310 | $58,390 | $73,250 |
| Electricians | $47,480 | $78,160 | $101,410 |
| Medical assistants | $40,110 | $50,480 | $58,540 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $45,690 | $60,280 | $65,410 |
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | $52,100 | $81,980 | $131,840 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $67,080 | $83,400 | $98,900 |
| Surgical technologists | $62,820 | $80,210 | $86,420 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $48,220 | $76,350 | $87,190 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $31,340 | $48,090 | $52,940 |
| Medical records specialists | $48,120 | $61,530 | $70,070 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $38,110 | $48,300 | $54,440 |
| Construction laborers | $42,950 | $60,260 | $79,710 |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters | $48,720 | $94,410 | $108,750 |
| Phlebotomists | $38,740 | $46,000 | $48,760 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Minnesota (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 75 | $42,056 | not reported | $12,250 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 41 | $42,056 | not reported | $12,250 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 2–4 years | 22 | $39,291 | $36,312 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | $36,041 | $39,369 | $11,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 15 | $39,458 | $33,993 | $11,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 12 | $44,740 | $43,426 | $19,000 |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 12 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 10 | $44,740 | $43,426 | $19,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | $37,478 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Carpenters | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 7 | not reported | $36,941 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 5 | $39,458 | $33,993 | $11,500 |
| Plumbing and Related Water Supply Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | $37,208 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | $36,041 | $39,369 | $11,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 2–4 years | 4 | $36,041 | $39,369 | $11,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | $36,041 | $39,369 | $11,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 3 | $44,740 | $43,426 | $19,000 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | $36,041 | $39,369 | $11,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $36,941 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | $36,041 | $39,369 | $11,000 |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Northland Community and Technical College is a public trade and career campus in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Because it is a public institution that participates in federal student aid, students can use FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants here. The school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the National League for Nursing, Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation. Its most-awarded programs are LPN/LVN training, CNA classes, and auto mechanic training, alongside 25 total program offerings spanning welding, HVAC, electrician, medical assisting, and more.
Federal data show a completion rate of 56.0%, above the Minnesota state average of 48.2%. Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, and median earnings ten years after entry are $44,425. About 21.7% of students receive Pell Grants. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data.
This mix of short certificate programs (like CNA and LPN training) and longer technical programs may suit both recent graduates and adult career-changers, though specific program lengths are not detailed here. Given its remote-town locale, the campus likely serves a regional student base. Prospective students should verify current accreditation status and outcome data directly through the College Scorecard and confirm program details with the school before enrolling.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Northland Community and Technical College offers 25 programs, most notably LPN/LVN programs, CNA classes, and auto mechanic training, plus programs in welding, HVAC, electrician work, medical assisting, and other trades.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, the school is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with its nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the National League for Nursing, Commission for Nurse Education Accreditation.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal student aid, so FAFSA, federal loans, and Pell Grants can be used here.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 56.0%, which is above the Minnesota state average of 48.2%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $44,425, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
This is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for state residents and eligibility for state and federal funding support.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school at (218) 793-2800 or visit its website for specifics on each program's duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation status and outcome data through the College Scorecard at the link provided by the U.S. Department of Education, or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a range of shorter certificate programs, like CNA and LPN training, alongside longer technical programs, which may suit career-changers, though specific scheduling and format details are not reported here.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Northland Community and Technical College at (218) 793-2800 or through its website, https://www.northlandcollege.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
This comparison is not reported in the available federal data; check the College Scorecard for nearby schools offering similar programs.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.