About Northern Essex Community College
With a touch of motivation, you can say yes to success with the online offerings from Northern Essex Community College. This two-year public institution has over 60 years of experience and offers vibrant and innovative experiences to help you unlock your potential. NECC proudly carries the following core values to enhance your educational experience:
- Collaboration
- Student engagement
- Culture of inclusion
- Personal and professional development
Over 4,000 students a year benefit from NECC’s welcoming environment, whether in person or through online options. The school offers online associate’s degrees as well as online entry-level certificates. Say goodbye to the barriers that held you back and let the dedicated professionals at Northern Essex Community College inspire you to meet your educational goals.
Accreditation & Licensing
Northern Essex Community College is accredited by:
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Type:
2-year, PublicHighest Level Offered:
Associate's degreeReligious Affiliation:
Not applicableEnrollment:
Undergraduate: 6,504 ; Graduate: Not applicablePercent of Fully Online Students:
Undergraduate: 27% ; Graduate: Not applicableGraduation Rate:
21%Transfer Rate:
17%Median Earnings, 10-Years After Degree Completion:
$42,862Median Debt After Graduation (4-Year Degree):
$9,000Average Undergraduates Receiving Aid:
64%Per Undergraduate Average Aid Award:
$4,691Yellow Ribbon Program:
YesCredit for Military Training:
YesOnline Programs offered by Northern Essex Community College
All Programs
Art & Liberal Arts
Computer Science & IT
Northern Essex Community College works well as a practical first step to a degree. It is widely used to complete prerequisites, build momentum, and move into transfer plans without a long or expensive start. The two-year ADN path is part of that completion picture for students choosing a structured health route.
Cost is a clear strength here, and the school is often treated as a low-cost starting point rather than a final destination. Time to finish depends on how smoothly planning steps move, especially around registration and advising touchpoints. In heavier tracks, reading volume can raise the weekly time load, so completion pace is strongest when students keep coursework moving early.
At Northern Essex Community College, support is strongest in the classroom. Professors and staff are approachable and involved. Small classes help students feel known. That makes it easier to get direct help when coursework gets busy.
Outside class, communication can be less steady. Replies may take time, and advising guidance can differ from one contact to another. This can make planning feel uneven at times.
Even so, students can expect solid day-to-day help from instructors. NECC offers a supportive learning environment, with classroom care leading the experience.
NECC can fit adults with busy schedules. Online classes are a practical option. The setup is especially useful for single parents needing full online access.
Class size helps with day-to-day learning. Professors are easier to reach in smaller classes. Pace and planning can still be affected by slow responses from offices. Clear, quick guidance matters when online students manage work and school together.
At Northern Essex Community College, small classes help students feel known. Professors and staff are easy to reach and ready to help. Teaching stays practical and focused on real progress. For many students, that means clear expectations and a steady daily routine.
Nursing courses can be more demanding than other paths. Students often face heavy reading and a faster pace in core classes. Learning medication content early is a key step before clinical work. The overall setting is supportive, but success still takes strong time management and regular study.
Northern Essex is a practical, low-cost college start. It helps students complete prerequisites and transfer. It fits returning adults who want steady progress. Classroom support is a plus.
Small classes help professors know students. Help often feels personal in class. Service offices are less consistent. Response times can be slow.
Guidance can vary across advising contacts. Workload can be intense in some paths. Nursing courses bring heavy reading and faster pace. Staying ahead matters there.
Overall, NECC offers strong value and useful momentum. The main friction is uneven service response.
Northern Essex is a practical, low-cost college start. It helps students complete prerequisites and transfer. It fits returning adults who want steady progress. Classroom support is a plus.
Small classes help professors know students. Help often feels personal in class. Service offices are less consistent. Response times can be slow.
Guidance can vary across advising contacts. Workload can be intense in some paths. Nursing courses bring heavy reading and faster pace. Staying ahead matters there.
Overall, NECC offers strong value and useful momentum. The main friction is uneven service response.
Frequently Asked Questions About Northern Essex Community College
Is Northern Essex Community College accredited?
Yes. Northern Essex Community College is institutionally accredited by New England Commission of Higher Education.
How many online programs does Northern Essex Community College offer?
Northern Essex Community College offers 3 online programs currently listed on GetEducated.
What degree levels does Northern Essex Community College offer?
Northern Essex Community College offers associate-level programs.
How should students contact admissions at Northern Essex Community College?
Ready to connect? Check Admission Details to get admissions, tuition, and timeline details directly from the school.
Is Northern Essex Community College expensive, and what are the tuition costs?
Roughly speaking, Northern Essex Community College falls into GetEducated’s $$ tuition tier, which points to a mid tuition range.
How quickly can I enroll at Northern Essex Community College?
Enrollment at any school can be a quick process; if all required admission requirements are met. This is where students can get hung up and slow down the process by taking too long to gather required documentation.
What should transfer students ask Northern Essex Community College first?
The first thing you must do is order your transcripts from any previous school you attended and have them provided to the new school immediately with the hopes of receiving an unofficial transfer credit evaluation quickly. In an ideal world, students would have an official transfer credit evaluation done prior to committing to enrollment at any school; however with the vast majority of schools, official transfer credit evaluations happen after you are already enrolled, typically in the first semester.
Is Northern Essex Community College military friendly?
Northern Essex Community College shows Yellow Ribbon support. Check Yellow Ribbon eligibility before you apply, since program-level benefits can vary.
How can students request information from Northern Essex Community College through GetEducated?
Comparing schools right now? Request Information to get admissions, tuition, and start-date details sent directly to you.
What documents are most commonly required for Northern Essex Community College applications?
Most listed programs ask for Official High School Transcript/GED Score and Official College Transcript(s). Getting these ready early can keep the application process moving.
Does Northern Essex Community College accept life experience credit?
Northern Essex Community College does not show a school-wide life experience credit policy. Check Transfer Options to confirm transfer-credit options for your specific program.
Are Northern Essex Community College programs fully online or mixed?
Northern Essex Community College programs are primarily listed as 100% Online, which can help students screen for schedule fit before applying.
What kinds of online programs does Northern Essex Community College offer?
Northern Essex Community College has online program options in areas such as Art & Liberal Arts, Business, and Computer Science & IT; start with the field that best matches your career goal, then compare cost, format, and admissions requirements. Compare Programs to get program, admissions, and cost details before applying.
Are any admission tests required for Northern Essex Community College programs?
One recurring admissions-test item is ACCUPLACER. Students should confirm whether it applies to their specific program.
Do in-state and out-of-state tuition totals differ at Northern Essex Community College?
Some programs show different in-state and out-of-state tuition totals, so check your specific program cost.
Do any Northern Essex Community College programs have state authorization limitations?
State authorization restrictions are not prominent across available programs, but students should still confirm eligibility for their state. Check State Eligibility before applying to confirm whether your program is available where you live.
How often can students start at Northern Essex Community College?
Start times per year typically range from 3-6 for most schools. For Northern Essex Community College, students should confirm the next available start date for their specific program before applying.
How should working adults compare Northern Essex Community College programs?
Working adults should compare program format, pacing, total cost, and application requirements before choosing a path.
What should students compare before choosing a Northern Essex Community College program?
Students should compare accreditation fit, program format, application requirements, total cost, and whether the timeline works with their schedule.
Featured Ranking Reports
Northern Essex Community College is featured in 2 of our ranking reports!
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Geographic and Educational Overview
Northern Essex Community College is located in Massachusetts
Massachusetts at a Glance:
Top Majors in Massachusetts:
Top Incentives in Massachusetts:
- MASSGrant: Up to $3,100 annually
- John and Abigail Adams Scholarship: Full tuition at state institutions
- Gilbert Matching Student Grant: Up to $2,500 annually
Top Career Pathways in Massachusetts:
- Entry Level: Research Associate ($65,000)
- Mid Level: Project Manager ($110,000)
- Senior Level: Research Director ($180,000+)
- Required Education: BS Biotechnology
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- Entry Level: Software Engineer ($85,000)
- Mid Level: Senior Developer ($135,000)
- Senior Level: Technical Director ($190,000+)
- Required Education: BS Computer Science
- Certifications: AWS, Azure, Security+
- Entry Level: Clinical Innovation Specialist ($70,000)
- Mid Level: Innovation Manager ($120,000)
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- Required Education: BS Healthcare Administration
- Certifications: ACHE, PMP, CPHIMS