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$3,861Tuition
3,479Students
49%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$44,925Earnings
#11 in WisconsinPublic2-yearNAIAData: 2023-24

About Northcentral Technical College

Northcentral Technical College focuses on hands-on career training in Wisconsin's paper mill and manufacturing center of Wausau. The college serves 3,479 students in a small city setting, preparing them for jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, business, and skilled trades. This technical college attracts students who want practical skills over academic theory, with programs designed around what local employers actually need.

The financial picture looks solid for a two-year school. Students pay an average net price of $11,555 after aid, which stays fairly consistent across income levels. Graduates earn a median of $44,925 ten years after starting, with monthly loan payments averaging just $80. The median debt load sits at $7,500, much lower than most four-year schools. With a 96% employment rate, students typically find work quickly after finishing their programs.

The student body skews heavily female at 61.31%, reflecting the college's strong nursing and healthcare programs. Only 14.17% of students take federal loans, suggesting many pay as they go or have employer sponsorship. With 92.20% of students coming from Wisconsin, this feels like a local school serving its community. The 16:1 student-faculty ratio means you get personal attention as you learn job-ready skills.

Academics & Faculty

Northcentral Technical College focuses on hands-on career training that gets students into the workforce quickly. The school offers programs in healthcare, manufacturing, business, and skilled trades that match what employers in central Wisconsin actually need. With a 16:1 student-faculty ratio, students get plenty of individual attention from instructors who often come from industry backgrounds. The 48.90% graduation rate reflects the reality that many technical college students are working adults or face life challenges, but those who complete programs find strong job prospects. The 96.0% employment rate shows that graduates land jobs in their fields, earning a median of $44,925 within ten years of starting.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
16:1
Full-Time Faculty
100.0%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
48.9%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$44,925

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Certificate $59,169
Computer Programming. Associate $56,415
Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. Associate $53,697
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $51,975
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. Associate $44,091
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. Associate $43,575
Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. Associate $42,750
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $42,682
Precision Metal Working. Associate $38,721
Precision Metal Working. Certificate $36,793

View all 107 programs →

Campus Life

Northcentral Technical College sits in Wausau, a small city about 200 miles north of Milwaukee. You'll need a good winter coat here, as Wisconsin's northwoods get serious snow and temperatures that drop well below freezing from November through March. The campus serves 3,479 students who come mostly from Wisconsin (92% are in-state), creating a tight-knit community feel.

Most students commute to campus since this is a technical college focused on career training rather than traditional college life. With 61% women and 39% men, the student body skews female, which is typical for health and human services programs that are popular here. The 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio means you'll get personal attention in hands-on labs and workshops. Students often work part-time jobs while studying, especially since the average monthly loan payment is just $80. Weekends usually mean heading home or working, though some students stick around for the two varsity sports teams (31 total athletes compete in NAIA). The focus here is practical learning that leads directly to jobs, with a 96% employment rate proving that approach works.
Setting
City-Small
Calendar System
Semester

Campus Safety (2023)

5 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Aggravated Assault 2 1 0 0
Fondling 1 1 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
6°–23°F
July Avg
58°–80°F
Annual Precipitation
32.4"
Annual Snowfall
59.6"

Student Demographics

Northcentral Technical College draws students who want practical training for solid-paying careers without spending years in school. About 92% come from Wisconsin, showing the college's strong ties to local employers who hire graduates directly into jobs paying around $44,925 after six years. Women make up 61% of students, reflecting the college's strong programs in healthcare and business services where female enrollment typically runs higher. Most students work while attending classes, choosing this path because they want skills training that leads straight to employment rather than transfer credits to four-year universities.
Men
38.7%
Women
61.3%
White
79.6%
Black
1.6%
Hispanic
5.3%
Asian
6.1%
In-State Students
92.2%
Pell Grant Recipients
16.7%

Location

Northcentral Technical College sits in Wausau, Wisconsin, a small city of about 40,000 people in the heart of central Wisconsin. The campus lies roughly 200 miles northwest of Milwaukee and 300 miles from Chicago, placing students in a region known for its forests, lakes, and outdoor recreation. Wausau serves as a regional center for the Wisconsin River valley, with a downtown that balances small-city charm with practical amenities. The area attracts students who want hands-on technical training without big-city distractions or costs. With 92.20% of students coming from Wisconsin, most are familiar with the state's work culture and outdoor lifestyle. Students considering colleges in Wisconsin may also compare Northcentral Technical College with similar schools in the region.
Address
Wausau, Wisconsin 54401-1899
NorthcentralTechnicalCollegeWausauSign
NorthcentralTechnicalCollegeWausauSign

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years)
$44,925
Median Earnings (5 years)
$48,116
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$31,300
Loan Repayment Rate
47.9%
Monthly Loan Payment
$80/mo
Median Debt at Graduation
$7,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at Northcentral Technical College?

Northcentral Technical College maintains an open enrollment policy typical of Wisconsin technical colleges. The school enrolls 3,479 students with 92.20% coming from Wisconsin. Most students can start their programs without competitive admission processes.

How much does Northcentral Technical College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $11,555 annually at Northcentral Technical College. In-state tuition runs $3,861 while out-of-state students pay $5,615. Monthly loan payments average just $80 for graduates who borrow money.

What academic programs is Northcentral Technical College known for?

Northcentral Technical College focuses on hands-on career training with a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. The school serves the greater Wausau area's workforce development needs. Students graduate with practical skills for immediate employment in technical fields.

What are the job prospects after graduating from Northcentral Technical College?

Graduates achieve a 96.0% employment rate within their field of study. Median earnings reach $44,925 ten years after graduation. The school's 48.90% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many working students face completing programs part-time.

What is campus life like at Northcentral Technical College?

The student body of 3,479 is 61.31% women and primarily local, creating a commuter-focused environment. Campus athletics include just 2 NAIA sports with 31 total athletes competing as the Timberwolves. Most students balance coursework with work and family obligations rather than traditional college activities.

How affordable is Northcentral Technical College for low-income students?

Only 16.67% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting many come from working families rather than the lowest income brackets. Students from families earning under $30,000 pay a net price of $11,547. The median debt of $7,500 keeps borrowing manageable for career-focused programs.