Head-to-head · 2026
Massasoit Community College vs Northern Essex Community College
Compare average net price ($8,460 at Massasoit Community College; $6,046 at Northern Essex Community College), ROI score (13.63 vs 17.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,111 vs $42,862), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Massasoit 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 | Massasoit Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.63 | 17.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $8,460 | $6,046 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $33,840 | $24,184 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,376 | $6,732 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,320 | $12,516 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,111 ✓ | $42,862 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 19.4% | 20.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 62.6% ✓ | 61.1% |
| Median debt | $10,000 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 4,235 | 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 | Massasoit Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,194 | $5,256 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,904 | $4,728 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $7,678 | $6,211 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,938 | $6,628 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,416 | $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 | Massasoit Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 16.5% | 14.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.1% | 3.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 6.1% | 4.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 5.8% | 4.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.3% | 4% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 8.2% | 0.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1.1% | 4.2% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 1.1% | 4.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Essex Community College reports the lower average net price by $2,414 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $9,656 difference over four years ($24,184 vs $33,840).
Massasoit Community College reports $3,249 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,111 vs $42,862). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.6% at Massasoit Community College and 61.1% at Northern Essex Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $10,000 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
Massasoit 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 $8,460 at Massasoit Community College. The annual difference of $2,414 adds up to about $9,656 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Massasoit Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,111 vs $42,862 at Northern Essex Community College. The gap in the federal data is $3,249. 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.