Head-to-head · 2026
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering vs Northern Essex Community College
Compare average net price ($25,171 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering; $6,046 at Northern Essex Community College), ROI score (12.86 vs 17.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($129,455 vs $42,862), and admissions context (25.2% at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering; Open / not reported at Northern Essex Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.86 | 17.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $25,171 | $6,046 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $100,684 | $24,184 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $66,398 | $6,732 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $66,398 | $12,516 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $129,455 ✓ | $42,862 |
| Acceptance rate | 25.2% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 96.4% ✓ | 20.9% |
| Retention rate | 98% ✓ | 61.1% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 377 | 3,685 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1520 | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | — | $5,256 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,100 ✓ | $4,728 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,528 | $6,211 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,271 | $6,628 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,096 | $12,476 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
No shared field has positive award-share data at both schools in the current federal records. Check each school's official catalog before ruling out a program.
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Essex Community College reports the lower average net price by $19,125 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $76,500 difference over four years ($24,184 vs $100,684).
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering reports $86,593 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($129,455 vs $42,862). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 98% at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering and 61.1% at Northern Essex Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $9,000, respectively.
The current federal records do not show a shared field with positive award-share data for these schools. That does not prove a program is unavailable; verify offerings with each school.
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Frequently asked
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering vs Northern Essex Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northern Essex Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,046 per year vs $25,171 at Franklin W Olin College of Engineering. The annual difference of $19,125 adds up to about $76,500 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $129,455 vs $42,862 at Northern Essex Community College. The gap in the federal data is $86,593. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.