Head-to-head · 2026
Massachusetts Bay Community College vs Northern Essex Community College
Compare average net price ($7,169 at Massachusetts Bay Community College; $6,046 at Northern Essex Community College), ROI score (18.36 vs 17.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($52,654 vs $42,862), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Massachusetts Bay Community College; 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 | Massachusetts Bay Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 18.36 ✓ | 17.72 |
| Avg net price | $7,169 | $6,046 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $28,676 | $24,184 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,856 | $6,732 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,800 | $12,516 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $52,654 ✓ | $42,862 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 17.2% | 20.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 55.9% | 61.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | $6,500 ✓ | $9,000 |
| Enrollment | 3,837 | 3,685 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
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 | Massachusetts Bay Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,206 | $5,256 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,813 | $4,728 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,685 | $6,211 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,767 | $6,628 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $13,317 | $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.
| Shared field | Massachusetts Bay Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 22.3% | 14.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.6% | 3.3% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.8% | 4.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.9% | 4% |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | 6.3% | 2.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.6% | 4.2% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 2.9% | 4.6% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.7% | 6.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Essex Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,123 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,492 difference over four years ($24,184 vs $28,676).
Massachusetts Bay Community College reports $9,792 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($52,654 vs $42,862). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 55.9% at Massachusetts Bay Community College and 61.1% at Northern Essex Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $6,500 vs $9,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Massachusetts Bay Community College 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 $7,169 at Massachusetts Bay Community College. The annual difference of $1,123 adds up to about $4,492 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Massachusetts Bay Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $52,654 vs $42,862 at Northern Essex Community College. The gap in the federal data is $9,792. 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.