Our Mission

Northcentral Technical College enriches our communities by providing high quality learner and employer focused educational pathways that transform lives.

At a Glance: NTC by the Numbers

• 2,775Projected FTE Enrollment
• 200+Programs & Certificates
• 9District Counties Served
• 304KDistrict Population
• 3,431Dual Credit High School Students
• 500+Youth Apprenticeship Students
• $13.1MCapital Budget (FY27)
• ✓Aspen Top 200 Colleges

A Message to Our Community

For more than 100 years, Northcentral Technical College has been a vital educational resource for the citizens of north central Wisconsin. The FY2026–2027 budget reflects our ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility, student success, and regional workforce development — ensuring NTC remains your community’s college of choice.

How the Budget Is Built

NTC’s budget is developed through a data-informed, collaborative process aligned with the College’s Strategic Plan. Each year, the process begins in the fall and concludes with a public hearing and Board adoption in June. The budget must comply with Wisconsin State Statutes, WTCS administrative rules, and local district policy.

Any changes to the adopted budget require approval by at least two-thirds of the District Board of Trustees and public notice — ensuring full accountability to the communities NTC serves.

Where Does NTC’s Funding Come From?

NTC’s operating budget draws from a diversified mix of funding sources — protecting the College and taxpayers from over-reliance on any single revenue stream. The major sources include:

• State Aid43%
• Property Taxes (Local Levy)20%
• Student Program Fees & Tuition20%
• Federal Grants & Financial Aid14%
• Institutional & Other Revenue3%

Note: Percentages are approximate estimates based on NTC’s diversified funding structure and FY27 budget assumptions. Actual figures will be confirmed upon budget adoption and implementation.

FY2026–27 Budget: At a Glance

A summary of NTC’s proposed FY2027 budget is available. The budget summary includes detailed information on the operational budget (General Fund and Special Revenue Funds) and all other funds, and presents FY2025 actual results, FY2026 estimated results, and the proposed FY2027 budget for comparison.

• $94.5MTotal Revenues – All Funds
• $114.0MTotal Expenditures – All Funds
• $115.2MTotal Sources of Funds
• $48.0MProjected Ending Fund Balance
• $45.4MGeneral Fund Total Revenues
• $48.0MGeneral Fund Total Expenditures
• $17.7MGeneral Fund Ending Balance
• 24.85%General Fund Balance as % of Expenses

Expenditures by Function — All Funds

The chart below shows how FY2026–27 budgeted expenditures ($114,001,834) are distributed by function across all funds.

• Instruction37% · $42,115,464
• Physical Plant27% · $30,716,794
• Student Services17% · $19,287,527
• General Institutional15% · $17,168,143
• Auxiliary Services3% · $3,104,296
• Instructional Resources1% · $1,609,610

Instruction (37%) is the largest single expenditure category — reflecting NTC’s core commitment to quality teaching and learning.

What Does the Taxpayer Investment Look Like?

NTC’s operating mill rate for FY2026–27 is 0.41422. For a property owner with $100,000 of equalized valuation, this means approximately $41.42 per year for NTC general operations.

• 0.41422FY27 Operational Mill Rate
• 0.62000FY27 Debt Service Mill Rate
• 1.03422Total FY27 Mill Rate
• $28.7BEqualized District Property Value

Property tax revenue is constrained by state statute and limited to net new construction growth — meaning the mill rate remains one of the most stable components of the NTC budget year over year.

Property Tax Levy & Mill Rate History

Property Tax Levy by Fund — 5-Year History

NTC’s property tax levy is distributed across operating and debt service funds. The table below shows the mill rates for the past five years.

The total mill rate has declined from 1.16987 in 2022–23 to a projected 1.03422 in 2026–27 — a reduction of more than 11% over five years, reflecting the growth in equalized district property values.

• Equalized District Property Valuation (FY27 projected): $28,697,759,580
• Total Tax Levy Requested (FY27 projected): $29,679,797

Property Valuation & Operational Mill Rate — 10-Year Trend

1. FY21–22 mill rate reflects a change in Wisconsin State Statutes related to Property Tax Relief Aid — a dollar-for-dollar reduction in property tax funding offset by an increase in state aid funding.
2. FY27 property valuations projected at 0% increase with 1% net new construction growth for budget purposes. Actual mill rates are determined at the October Board meeting.

What Your Investment Supports

Student Success: Access, Support & Completion

NTC’s largest investment is in the classroom and in the students who walk through its doors. The FY27 budget continues to expand access and the support systems that help students start strong and finish.

• 3,431Dual Credit High School Students
• 398Students Completed Timberwolf Ready Onboarding
• 52Students Assisted via Emergency Fund
• 500+Youth Apprenticeship Students

FY27 budget investments in student success include expanded Timberwolf Table food pantry access at all campuses, implementation of a new student welcome and onboarding process, Guaranteed Admissions partnerships with area high schools, and continued expansion of dual credit and apprenticeship pathways.

Innovation: Building a Future-Ready Region

The FY27 budget prioritizes cutting-edge programs and technology that align student learning with the real needs of today’s workforce.

Artificial Intelligence Leadership

NTC became a national leader in applied AI education — integrating AI across all academic disciplines using AIM and AI POWER frameworks. New programs include the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence Technical Diploma. ChatGPT educational licenses were provided to all faculty and staff, and NTC now leads the Central Wisconsin AI Center (CWAIC) in partnership with UW–Stevens Point and UW–Stout.

New & Expanded Programs (Launching FY27)

Community Partnerships: Stronger Together

NTC’s budget reflects a commitment to the broader region — not just the college campus. Key community investments in FY2026–27 include:

• $3.2M federal appropriation for the North Central Wisconsin Firefighter/Paramedic Apprenticeship Program
• 500+ Youth Apprenticeship students supported by 325+ employer partners across the district
• Co-location agreement signed with UW–Stevens Point at NTC’s Wausau Campus
• Community Safety Simulation Center (CSSC) opened — available to healthcare, K–12, law enforcement, and faith communities
• Workforce Leadership Center served 1,500+ leaders cumulatively
• C2A3 National Agriculture Conference hosted, welcoming 18 colleges from 15 states
• New Jobs on the Block career fair held in downtown Wausau in partnership with DWD and CW Solutions

Capital Investment Plan

FY27 Capital Budget: $13,055,500

Each year, NTC makes targeted capital investments to maintain state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that directly benefit students and the community. For FY2026–27, the Board-approved capital plan totals $13,055,500, funded through capital borrowings, donations, and anticipated grants.

Completed FY26 Projects: Investments That Are Already Paying Off

Before the FY27 budget even begins, NTC completed a significant slate of capital projects that are already serving students and the community:

• Ag Center Student Engagement Center Addition
• Ag Center Heifer Barn Addition
• Merrill CDL Training Addition
• WTPD Workforce Leadership Center
• A Building Entrance Renovation
• EMS Building Addition
• Student Life & Timberwolf Table Renovation
• Accommodations/Testing/Security Renovation
• Alternative High School Reconfiguration
• Grants/Foundation/Web Design Relocation

Our District: Enrollment Trends & Community

Student Enrollment — 6-Year Trend

NTC’s total FTE enrollment is projected at 2,775 for FY2026–27, reflecting a continued recovery. Total headcount enrollment is projected at 22,450 across postsecondary, basic education, and continuing education programs.

District Context

NTC serves a nine-county district in north central Wisconsin with a total population of approximately 304,000 residents. Understanding the region’s demographics and workforce landscape is essential to planning a budget that meets real community needs.

Population Trends

The NTC district’s population is projected to reach approximately 307,619 by 2031. Residents age 60 and older are projected to make up over 31% of the district population by 2031 — up from 25% in 2016 — reinforcing NTC’s role in workforce upskilling and healthcare training.

High School Graduate Pipeline

High school graduates in the NTC district have shifted slightly over the past decade (2,541 in 2015–16 to 2,445 in 2024–25). NTC’s dual credit, Youth Apprenticeship, and Guaranteed Admissions programs are designed to connect with these students early.

Employment Landscape

As of January 2026, the NTC district unemployment rate is 3.7% — below Wisconsin (3.9%) and a full point below the national rate (4.7%). NTC’s workforce training and continuing education programs serve as a critical bridge between employers and skilled workers.

District Counties Served

• Clark County
• Langlade County
• Lincoln County
• Marathon County
• Menominee County
• Portage County
• Price County
• Shawano County
• Taylor County