Head-to-head · 2026
Middlesex Community College vs Northern Essex Community College
Compare average net price ($2,624 at Middlesex Community College; $6,046 at Northern Essex Community College), ROI score (48.26 vs 17.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($50,651 vs $42,862), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Middlesex 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 | Middlesex Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 48.26 ✓ | 17.72 |
| Avg net price | $2,624 ✓ | $6,046 |
| 4-year avg net price | $10,496 ✓ | $24,184 |
| In-state tuition | $6,048 | $6,732 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,120 | $12,516 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $50,651 ✓ | $42,862 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 23.4% ✓ | 20.9% |
| Retention rate | 63.6% ✓ | 61.1% |
| Median debt | $7,291 ✓ | $9,000 |
| Enrollment | 5,412 | 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 | Middlesex Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $943 ✓ | $5,256 |
| Family income $30–48k | $1,646 ✓ | $4,728 |
| Family income $48–75k | $1,399 ✓ | $6,211 |
| Family income $75–110k | $4,356 ✓ | $6,628 |
| Family income $110k+ | $8,426 ✓ | $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 | Middlesex Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 26% | 14.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 16.5% | 3.3% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 2.7% | 9.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 3.6% | 6.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.8% | 4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 3.6% | 4.6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.7% | 4.2% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.5% | 4.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Middlesex Community College reports the lower average net price by $3,422 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $13,688 difference over four years ($10,496 vs $24,184).
Middlesex Community College reports $7,789 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($50,651 vs $42,862). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.6% at Middlesex Community College and 61.1% at Northern Essex Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $7,291 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
Middlesex 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?
Middlesex Community College is cheaper — average net price $2,624 per year vs $6,046 at Northern Essex Community College. The annual difference of $3,422 adds up to about $13,688 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Middlesex Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $50,651 vs $42,862 at Northern Essex Community College. The gap in the federal data is $7,789. 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.