Northampton Community College presents $81 million operating budget, reports enrollment gains

Northampton Community College President Dr. Roth and CFO Jason Lobel presented the college's preliminary 2025-26 operating budget to the Easton Area School District Board on March 11, saying the college expects an $81 million operating budget and $8.5 million in capital spending.

"Total 20 five-twenty six operating budget for Northampton Community College is set at $81,000,000. This is a 2.92% increase over the prior year revised budget," Lobel told the board. He said the capital budget is $8.5 million, a slight reduction from the current year because certain debt service had expired.

Why it matters: The college is a sponsored partner of the district and Easton's sponsor allocation is part of the college's revenue mix. Lobel said sponsor support represents roughly 11% of the college's credit instruction budget and that Easton's sponsor allocation will increase by $74,000 next fiscal year, bringing Easton's total sponsor support for capital and operating to $1,590,000.

Enrollment and programs

Dr. Roth said NCC serves roughly 30,000 students across credit and community-education programs and reported year-to-date enrollment growth: fall enrollments were up 4%, winter up 10% and spring over 6%, with aggregate annual enrollment expected to increase about 5.25%. Lobel said the college is projecting another enrollment increase next year.

The college highlighted a mix of degree and short-term workforce programs, including recent federal earmark-funded programs in cardiovascular sonography and respiratory therapy. Those programs received a $2.7 million earmark grant; Lobel said the first cohorts are enrolled and staffing for those programs will be folded into the operating budget after the grant period ends.

Tuition and sponsor allocation details

Lobel said tuition and fees account for about 55% of the college's revenue; state appropriations about 26%; and school-district sponsorship about 11% for credit instruction. He outlined the proposed in-district tuition increase of $10 per credit hour (from $185 to $195 per credit), with smaller and larger increments for other residency categories. Lobel said that the college historically keeps sponsor contributions for capital flat and that the $175,000 capital sponsor total will remain unchanged for the coming year.

Board questions and next steps

Board members asked for clarifying data about the college's resident student share, enrollment sources and program placement rates. Lobel and Dr. Roth said they would be available to answer follow-up questions and that the college would continue to provide detailed budget documents for board review.

Ending

The NCC representatives thanked the board for its sponsorship and said they will return with final budget figures after fall/summer enrollment and state subsidy determinations are finalized.