Head-to-head · 2026
Mount Wachusett Community College vs Northern Essex Community College
Compare average net price ($7,931 at Mount Wachusett Community College; $6,046 at Northern Essex Community College), ROI score (12.96 vs 17.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($41,118 vs $42,862), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Mount Wachusett 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 | Mount Wachusett Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 12.96 | 17.72 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $7,931 | $6,046 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $31,724 | $24,184 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,160 | $6,732 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $11,080 | $12,516 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $41,118 | $42,862 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 23.8% ✓ | 20.9% |
| Retention rate | 63.4% ✓ | 61.1% |
| Median debt | $10,252 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 3,059 | 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 | Mount Wachusett Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,899 | $5,256 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,873 | $4,728 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,711 | $6,211 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,850 | $6,628 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $14,528 | $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 | Mount Wachusett Community College | Northern Essex Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 28.7% | 4% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 10.1% | 14.4% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 11.2% | 4.2% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 3.9% | 9.7% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 9.1% | 3.3% |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 1% | 9.1% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 1.6% | 6.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.9% | 4.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Essex Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,885 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $7,540 difference over four years ($24,184 vs $31,724).
Northern Essex Community College reports $1,744 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,862 vs $41,118). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.4% at Mount Wachusett Community College and 61.1% at Northern Essex Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $10,252 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
Mount Wachusett 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 $7,931 at Mount Wachusett Community College. The annual difference of $1,885 adds up to about $7,540 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern Essex Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,862 vs $41,118 at Mount Wachusett Community College. The gap in the federal data is $1,744. 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.