- The mission of Northern Essex Community College is to serve the people of the Greater Merrimack Valley as a caring and comprehensive center of educational excellence that offers high quality, affordable adult and post secondary education through the Associate Degree level, as well as a broad range of occupational programs and community services which enhance the social, cultural and economic life of the region.
School Highlights
Northern Essex Community College serves 4,770 students (28% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 10:1 is higher than the state community college average of 9:1.
Minority enrollment is 98% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 95%.
Quick Stats (2024-25)
- Enrollment: 4,770 students
- In-state tuition: $4,320
- Out-state tuition: $10,104
- Student:teacher ratio: 10:1
- Minority enrollment: 98%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Northern Essex Community College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Massachusetts for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 498 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Northern Essex Community College
(MA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associates Colleges
Associates Colleges
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
498 staff
290 staff
Student Body
The student population of Northern Essex Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 10:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The Northern Essex Community College diversity score of 0.62 is less than the state average of 0.71. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,770 students
2,012 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
10:1
9:1
# Full-Time Students
1,337 students
903 students
# Part-Time Students
3,433 students
1,109 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
301 students
309 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,337 students
903 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
27 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,433 students
1,059 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
105 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
443 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
2%
5%
% Asian
4%
14%
% Hispanic
n/a
n/a
% Black
40%
19%
% White
2%
5%
% Hawaiian
47%
47%
% Two or more races
4%
9%
% Non Resident races
n/a
n/a
% Unknown races
1%
1%
Diversity Score
0.62
0.71
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.1436%
0.2182%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.5056%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$33,700
$35,500
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $4,320 is less than the state average of $4,424. The in-state tuition has declined by 15% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $10,104 is more than the state average of $9,401. The out-state tuition has declined by 7% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,320
$4,424
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,104
$9,401
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
75%
87%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,950
$12,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,250
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
75%
SAT Reading
n/a
540
SAT Math
n/a
535
SAT Writing
n/a
480
ACT Composite
n/a
21
Source: 2023 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- Northern Essex is located in the Merrimack Valley in northeastern Massachusetts, just a few miles from the New Hampshire border, our mission is to provide access to quality higher education at an affordable cost. We offer post secondary education through the associate degree level, including career programs in areas such as nursing and allied health, computers, criminal justice, paralegal studies, and deaf studies and dozens of transfer programs for students who want to start at Northern Essex and transfer for their junior and senior years, eventually earning a bachelor's degree or higher. Excellent facilities, solid academic support services and a dynamic student activity program are part of the educational opportunities available at Northern Essex. Flexible scheduling and the option of completing your degree or certificate at your own pace are hallmarks of a Northern Essex education. Northern Essex Community College is justifiably proud of the quality of education and services we offer to our students. Each year over 15,000 individuals study at Northern Essex either full- or part-time. We have a teaching faculty who concentrate their education, experience and effort in the classroom. When your education is completed, you will have the skills needed to join the thousands of Northern Essex graduates who have transferred successfully to baccalaureate programs, or who have become a part of the highly skilled business, industrial and professional work force for which New England is famous.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Northern Essex Community College cost?
Northern Essex Community College's tuition is approximately $4,320 for In-State students and $10,104 for Out-State students.
What is Northern Essex Community College's ranking?
Northern Essex Community College ranks among the top 20% of community college in Massachusetts for: Average community college minority breakdown and Largest student body.
School Calendar
View the Northern Essex Community College yearly calendar below.
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