What looks worse on a transcript. a NC (no credit) or a W(Withdrawal)?

How would an employer or another university view a class where a NC was given or a W was given for a class grade?

W generally means that you have dropped the class, but the reason isn’t stated. Could be you were failing, could be you had a health issue/family crisis/job change and needed to reduce your academic load that term, could be you changed your major and didn’t need that class, could be any number of other reasons. A W grade is not automatically negative.

When there is a C vs. NC in a grading system, uaually C means you passed the course and NC means that you failed it. In that case, an NC could be as negative as an F.