Quick Facts

• Location: Wausau, Wisconsin
• Address: 1000 W Campus Dr, Wausau, WI 54401
• School Type: Public Technical College
• Programs Offered: Welding, Automotive, Diesel, Electrical Power Distribution, Industrial Automation, Industrial Maintenance, Machining, Manufacturing, Apprenticeships and numerous additional career programs
• Training Style: Hands-on technical labs, classroom instruction, technical diplomas, associate degrees and paid apprenticeships
• Tuition Range: For 2026–27, $157.45 per credit for Wisconsin residents plus a minimum $6 material fee and $17.25-per-credit activity fee
• Program Length: Short certificates and diplomas through two-year associate degrees; apprenticeships typically several years
• Online Programs Available: Yes, including several 100% online technical programs; core mechanical/trade programs generally require hands-on instruction
• Hybrid Learning: Yes, depending on program/course
• Financial Aid: FAFSA, federal/state grants, loans, work-study and scholarships for eligible programs
• Class Options: Full-time, part-time, campus, online and apprenticeship formats
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Average Rating: ⭐ 4.4 (98 Reviews)
• Website: Official website

Overview

Northcentral Technical College has served central Wisconsin for more than a century and today offers a particularly strong mix of manufacturing, automotive, diesel, welding, utility and industrial apprenticeship training from its main Wausau campus. The college is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

NTC is also notable for its broad credential ladder. A student interested in welding, for example, can choose a specialized nine- to 13-credit welding diploma, a broader 35-credit Welding technical diploma or move into robotic welding and fabrication pathways.

Programs Offered

Wausau trade-oriented options include:

• Welding
• GMAW/MIG Welding
• GTAW/TIG Welding
• SMAW/Stick Welding
• FCAW Welding
• Welding Robotic Operation
• Automotive Service Technician
• Automotive Technician
• Automotive Technology
• Diesel Equipment Mechanic
• Diesel Technology
• Electrical Power Distribution
• Industrial Automation
• Industrial Electronics & Maintenance
• Machine Tool Operation
• Machine Tool Technics
• Gas Utility Construction & Service
• Registered apprenticeships

Welding

NTC’s full Welding technical diploma requires 35 credits and currently lists an approximate program cost of:

• Tuition and fees — $7,935
• Books and supplies — $260
• Approximate total — $8,195

Training includes:

• SMAW / Stick
• GMAW / MIG and pulse arc
• GTAW / TIG
• FCAW
• Thermal cutting
• Fabrication
• Print reading
• Weld inspection
• CNC cutting/forming
• Introductory robotic welding

Students can also pursue shorter specialized credentials in individual welding processes.

The 15-credit Welding Robotic Operation diploma currently lists an approximate total program cost of $3,503 and can ladder into further welding/fabrication study.

Automotive Technology

The Automotive Technician technical diploma prepares students to diagnose and repair:

• Engines
• Brakes
• Steering and suspension
• Electrical/electronic systems
• HVAC
• Manual and automatic drivetrains
• Hybrid vehicle systems

Current approximate program cost:

$10,553, consisting of about $10,108 in tuition/fees and $445 in books/supplies. Financial aid is available.

Students can also begin with the 27-credit Automotive Service Technician diploma, which currently has an approximate program cost of $5,284 and ladders into the larger automotive credentials.

Diesel Technology

NTC’s 64-credit Diesel Technology associate degree trains students in medium- and heavy-duty vehicle systems.

Topics include:

• Diesel engines
• Suspension and steering
• Preventive maintenance
• Electrical/electronics
• HVAC
• Drivetrains
• Hydraulic systems
• Pneumatic systems

Current approximate program cost is $14,514, including $13,545 in tuition/fees and $969 in estimated books/supplies. Financial aid is available.

Most diesel classes are held at NTC’s separate Diesel Technology Center at 3353 Geischen Drive in Wausau, so students should not assume every lab is located at the 1000 W Campus Drive building.

Electrical Power Distribution

NTC’s Electrical Power Distribution technical diploma is a particularly interesting option for students interested in utility work.

The program currently lists:

• Approximate tuition and fees — $7,660
• Books and supplies — $688
• Approximate total — $8,348

Coursework covers areas such as overhead and underground electrical distribution, construction standards, line-worker safety and electrical-system maintenance.

Most of the program is available at the Wausau campus; selected coursework may also be available in other formats.

Apprenticeships

NTC offers registered-apprenticeship related instruction in fields including:

• Industrial Electrician
• Electrical & Instrumentation
• Carpentry
• Diesel Technician
• Machinist
• Maintenance Technician
• Millwright/Maintenance Mechanic
• Plumbing
• Tool and Die Maker

Industrial Electrician

The Industrial Electrician apprenticeship is:

• 4 years
• 7,600 hours of on-the-job training
• 720 hours of paid classroom instruction

Students must already be employed by an approved apprenticeship employer and have a Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development apprenticeship contract.

Electrical & Instrumentation

The Electrical & Instrumentation apprenticeship is even more extensive:

• 5 years
• 9,392 on-the-job hours
• 1,008 paid classroom hours

Training covers industrial electrical systems, motor controls, PLCs, instrumentation, process control and other advanced systems.

Tuition & Financial Aid

For 2026–27, NTC charges:

• Wisconsin resident tuition — $157.45 per credit
• Out-of-state tuition — $236.18 per credit
• Activity fee — $17.25 per credit
• Minimum material fee — $6
• On-campus course insurance — $4 per semester

NTC’s FAFSA code is 005387. Financial aid can include:

• Federal Pell Grants
• State grants
• Federal Direct Loans
• Work-study
• NTC Foundation scholarships
• Outside scholarships

NTC Foundation scholarships currently range from about $250 to $2,500, and qualifying local high-school graduates may also be eligible for the NTC Promise tuition program.

Online & Hybrid Learning

NTC offers considerably more online education than many trade colleges. Certain manufacturing-related programs such as Industrial Manufacturing Engineering Technician and Quality Manufacturing are listed as 100% online.

However, students should not interpret this to mean that welding, automotive, diesel or electrical-line training can be completed entirely remotely. Those programs require significant hands-on work.

Why Students Choose This School

• Public technical-college tuition
• Large manufacturing and skilled-trades selection
• Multiple welding credentials
• Automotive and diesel ladders
• Utility/electrical power distribution training
• Industrial electrician apprenticeships
• Robotic welding and automation options
• Online options in selected technical fields
• Federal financial aid for qualifying programs
• Stackable credentials

Career Opportunities

Depending on training and licensing requirements, graduates may pursue roles such as:

• Welder/Fabricator
• Robotic Welding Technician
• Automotive Technician
• Diesel Technician
• Heavy Equipment Technician
• Electrical Distribution Technician
• Lineworker/Utility Worker
• Industrial Electrician Apprentice
• Automation Technician
• Industrial Maintenance Technician
• CNC/Machining Technician

Student Reviews

Based on your supplied listing data:

⭐ Average Rating: 4.4 (98 Reviews)

The rating is strong, but NTC serves many fields beyond skilled trades. Students should focus on recent reviews of the specific Wausau program and training facility they intend to use.

Enrollment Tips

NTC’s Fall 2026 regular application deadline has already passed for most 16-week and early eight-week programs, but its late eight-week Session 3 currently lists an application deadline of October 2, 2026 and enrollment deadline of October 9. These deadlines do not apply to apprenticeships, truck driving or nursing assistant programs.

Students interested in apprenticeship should not simply apply like a normal college student. They first need employment with a participating apprenticeship sponsor and a Wisconsin DWD apprenticeship contract.

Bottom Line

Northcentral Technical College is a strong Wisconsin choice for students interested in welding, automotive, diesel, electrical utility work, industrial maintenance or registered apprenticeships. Current resident tuition is $157.45 per credit plus fees, and several complete trade programs remain well below typical private-school prices—for example, about $8,195 for Welding, $8,348 for Electrical Power Distribution and $10,553 for Automotive Technician under the college’s currently published estimates.