- 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 4,721 students (22% of students are full-time).
The college's student-teacher ratio of 34:1 is higher than the state community college average of 27:1.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 58%.
Quick Facts (26-27)
- Enrollment: 4,721 students
- In-state tuition: $4,320
- Out-state tuition: $10,104
- Student-teacher ratio: 34:1
- Minority enrollment: 62%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Overview
The teacher population of 137 teachers has declined by 72% over five years.
Northern Essex Community College
(MA) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges
Associate's 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
137 staff
102 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Northern Essex Community College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student-teacher ratio of 34:1 has increased from 10:1 over five years.
The Northern Essex Community College diversity score of 0.65 is less than the state average of 0.74. The school's diversity has grown by 10% over five years.
Total Enrollment
4,721 students
2,627 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Student-Teacher Ratio
34:1
27:1
# Full-Time Students
1,025 students
988 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Students
3,696 students
1,639 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Enrollment Undergraduate
4,721 students
1,869 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,025 students
885 students
Showing 2012–2025. View full 19-year historical data
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
3,696 students
1,925 students
% Asian
2%
6%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Hispanic
45%
23%
Showing 2008–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Black
5%
15%
Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% White
38%
42%
Showing 2010–2025. View full 19-year historical data
% Two or more races
2%
3%
% Non Resident races
1%
2%
% Unknown races
6%
9%
Diversity Score
0.65
0.74
Showing 2011–2025. View full 19-year historical data
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
19%
22%
Showing 2015–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Earnings 10 Years After Entry (measured in 2022-2023, in 2024 dollars)
$49,727
$51,800
Points are in the dollars of their own College Scorecard release, and the colleges behind the state line differ by period. The lines do not show inflation-adjusted growth.
Tuition & Financial Aid
The public in-state tuition of $4,320 is less than the state average of $4,424. The in-state tuition has declined by 22% 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 10% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$4,320
$4,424
Out-State Tuition Fees
$10,104
$9,401
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
73%
79%
Showing 2013–2025. View full 19-year historical data
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,950
$11,249
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,250
$5,500
Showing 2008–2020. View full 14-year historical data
Source: 2025 (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.
Recent Articles
Does a College’s Employer Partnership Include Hiring?
A major employer’s logo does not promise a job. Learn how to check hiring commitments, eligibility and access before choosing a community college program.
New vs. Established Career Programs: Which Is Safer?
Compare new and established community college career programs by checking readiness, recent outcomes, staffing and support before you commit to enrollment.
Can Your Career Credential Cross State Lines?
Before choosing a community college career program, check whether its credential meets licensing requirements in another state and what moving could cost.
