At $11,555/yr net price, Northcentral Technical College graduates earn $44,925/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,925/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,555 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,220 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,925/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,925/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,547/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,323/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,143/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,346/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $59,169 | $9,500 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $56,415 | |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $53,697 | $7,228 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $51,975 | $8,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $44,091 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $43,575 | $9,499 |
| 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 | $3,500 |
The Risk Factor
48.9% of students at Northcentral Technical College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Northcentral Technical College gives you a low-debt path with a middling payoff. Median debt sits at $7,500 and net price runs about $11,555 a year, so you finish owing less than half a year's median earnings. That's the strongest part of the picture: you rarely borrow much to attend.
The associate degrees that pay best point you toward Wausau's manufacturing and health base. Computer Programming graduates clear $56,415, Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance runs $53,697 on roughly $7,200 of debt, and Registered Nursing lands near $52,000. These are the programs where your money comes back. Drafting/Design Engineering Technology trails the pack at about $44,091, matching the school-wide median but sitting $12,000 below the electromechanical track for a similar associate credential.
Watch the credential labels. The $59,169 Business Administration figure is a certificate outcome, not an associate degree, and it carries the highest debt on the list at $9,500. Do not read it as what a two-year business degree pays here.
The real risk is completion. Fewer than half of students finish, so the low debt only helps if you graduate. Leaving with partial credits and no credential is where this school stops working for you.
The net price tiers hold a surprise. If your family earns $75,000 to $110,000, you pay about $15,346, roughly $4,000 more than families under $48,000 and $5,000 more than the $48,000 to $75,000 tier. Lower-income families get the better deal here.
This school fits you if you want a technical or nursing career in central Wisconsin, plan to finish, and want to keep borrowing low. Look elsewhere if you're aiming for a bachelor's-level salary, since the earnings top out around $56,000 even in the strongest programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northcentral Technical College worth the cost?
Northcentral Technical College offers decent value with low debt ($7,500 median) and affordable tuition ($11,555 net price), but the graduation rate is concerning at 49%. The payoff depends heavily on your program choice, with business and computer programming graduates earning over $55,000 annually.
What are the highest paying programs at Northcentral Technical College?
Business Administration leads at $59,169 annually, followed by Computer Programming at $56,415 and Electromechanical Instrumentation at $53,697. These technical programs offer the strongest return on investment at Northcentral Technical College.
How much debt do Northcentral Technical College graduates have?
Graduates leave with relatively low debt at $7,500 median, making Northcentral Technical College more manageable than most schools. This low debt load helps offset the modest earnings of $44,925 for most graduates.
What is the graduation rate at Northcentral Technical College?
Only 49% of students graduate from Northcentral Technical College, which is below average for technical schools. This high dropout rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs, making careful program selection and academic preparation important.