Northwood Tech News

Students at Northwood Technical College continue to experience strong outcomes tied to affordability, career readiness, and educational opportunity, according to results from the 2025 Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Perceptions Study.

The statewide study shows growing public confidence in Wisconsin’s technical colleges and reinforces why Northwood Tech remains a practical choice for students seeking a high-quality education with a strong return on investment. According to the study, 66% of Wisconsin residents now hold a favorable opinion of WTCS, up from 52% in 2022. In addition, 76% believe the state benefits from the education technical colleges provide, an increase from 71% in the previous study.

“These results reinforce the trust Wisconsin residents place in technical education and the value students expect from their investment,” said Dr. John Will, president of Northwood Tech. “At Northwood Tech, we see that trust reflected in students choosing pathways that balance affordability, quality and career outcomes.”

The findings also offer insight into how Wisconsinites are increasingly evaluating college choices based on cost, outcomes and long-term value. Nearly eight in 10 respondents agree that higher education represents a significant investment and that students and families must consider long-term costs when choosing a college. At the same time, 76% agree that not all students benefit from a traditional four-year college experience, up from 71% in 2022, highlighting the importance of accessible pathways that align education with workforce needs and financial realities.

Confidence in technical colleges as a pathway to continued education has also grown. The study found that 64% of respondents view technical colleges as a strong option for students planning to transfer to a four-year public college or university, up from 60% in 2022.

WTCS colleges also lead in overall favorability compared to other higher education options and earned the highest Net Promoter Score among institutions surveyed, reaching +30 in 2025—more than double the score reported in 2022. The increase reflects growing trust in technical colleges and a stronger likelihood that Wisconsin residents would recommend them to others.

As a college within WTCS, Northwood Tech reflects this statewide momentum by offering accessible programs that support employment, advancement and continued education across the region.

“Despite having real-life experience as a teacher, translator, and bilingual administrative assistant, I felt the need to strengthen my qualifications and gain more confidence in my professional abilities. I knew I had the work ethic, dedication, and heart, but I also knew I needed formal education to open new doors and create lasting change for myself and my family,” said Sally Gibbs, a Spring 2025 Human Resource Management graduate of Northwood Tech.

For many students, cost and time to completion play a significant role in choosing a college.

“Researching jobs online led me to consider pharmacy school, but I was concerned about the high tuition costs and the commitment of six more years of schooling without knowing whether it was the right career path for me,” said Logan Emerson, a Winter 2025 Pharmacy Technician graduate of Northwood Tech.

“I love science, and I enjoy working in customer service, so I decided that a pharmacy technician program would be a better fit for me. I was excited when I learned that Northwood Tech had a pharmacy technician program, as I had no idea one existed so close to my home. Since this program is low-cost and only one semester, it will allow me to quickly acquire the education I need to start my first pharmacy job with confidence.”

The experiences shared by graduates like Sally Gibbs and Logan Emerson reflect the broader trends identified in the WTCS Perceptions Study.

According to WTCS, marketing leaders from the state’s technical colleges collaborate regularly to share strategies and insights that inform outreach and engagement efforts. Research has been conducted since 2007 to better understand public awareness and perceptions of technical education, initially focusing on parents of high school juniors and seniors.

In 2022 and again in 2025, WTCS expanded the scope of the study to include adults statewide, providing a broader measure of public sentiment toward Wisconsin’s technical colleges. Results from the study are used to guide marketing strategies and better communicate each college’s educational offerings, workforce impact, and value to students and communities.

More information about programs, student success, and career pathways at Northwood Tech is available on our website.