Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Essex Community College vs Urban College of Boston
Compare average net price ($6,046 at Northern Essex Community College; $6,957 at Urban College of Boston), ROI score (17.72 vs 12.75), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($42,862 vs $35,472), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Northern Essex Community College; Open / not reported at Urban College of Boston) 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 | Urban College of Boston |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 17.72 ✓ | 12.75 |
| Avg net price | $6,046 ✓ | $6,957 |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,184 ✓ | $27,828 |
| In-state tuition | $6,732 | $7,608 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,516 | $7,608 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $42,862 ✓ | $35,472 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 20.9% ✓ | 0% |
| Retention rate | 61.1% ✓ | 36.4% |
| Median debt | $9,000 | — |
| Enrollment | 3,685 | 438 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| 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 | Urban College of Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,256 ✓ | $6,957 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,728 | — |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,211 | — |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,628 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $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 | Northern Essex Community College | Urban College of Boston |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 4.2% | 80.7% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 14.4% | 2.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Northern Essex Community College reports the lower average net price by $911 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $3,644 difference over four years ($24,184 vs $27,828).
Northern Essex Community College reports $7,390 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,862 vs $35,472). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 61.1% at Northern Essex Community College and 36.4% at Urban College of Boston. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
2 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 Urban College of Boston, 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 $6,957 at Urban College of Boston. The annual difference of $911 adds up to about $3,644 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 $35,472 at Urban College of Boston. The gap in the federal data is $7,390. 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.