Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Essex Community College vs Quinsigamond Community College
Compare average net price ($6,046 at Northern Essex Community College; $9,090 at Quinsigamond Community College), ROI score (17.72 vs 12.64), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,862 vs $45,949), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Northern Essex Community College; Open / not reported at Quinsigamond 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 | Northern Essex Community College | Quinsigamond Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.72 ✓ | 12.64 |
| Avg net price | $6,046 ✓ | $9,090 |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,184 ✓ | $36,360 |
| In-state tuition | $6,732 | $6,262 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,516 | $11,206 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,862 | $45,949 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 20.9% | 21.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 61.1% | 62% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,000 ✓ | $16,575 |
| Enrollment | 3,685 | 6,447 |
| 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 | Northern Essex Community College | Quinsigamond Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,256 ✓ | $8,148 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,728 ✓ | $8,315 |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,211 ✓ | $8,169 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,628 ✓ | $8,743 |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,476 | $11,361 ✓ |
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 | Northern Essex Community College | Quinsigamond Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 14.4% | 9.2% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4% | 12.5% |
| Business/Commerce, General | 9.7% | 5.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.3% | 8.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.6% | 6.3% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 2.7% | 7.1% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 4.2% | 3.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.2% | 3.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Essex Community College reports the lower average net price by $3,044 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,176 difference over four years ($24,184 vs $36,360).
Quinsigamond Community College reports $3,087 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($45,949 vs $42,862). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 61.1% at Northern Essex Community College and 62% at Quinsigamond Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,000 vs $16,575, 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
Northern Essex Community College vs Quinsigamond 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 $9,090 at Quinsigamond Community College. The annual difference of $3,044 adds up to about $12,176 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Quinsigamond Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $45,949 vs $42,862 at Northern Essex Community College. The gap in the federal data is $3,087. 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.