At $3,694/yr net price, Middlesex Community College graduates earn $50,651/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,651/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,694 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $14,776 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,651/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,651/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,291 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,564/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $1,830/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $3,006/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $6,476/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,618/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $57,318 | $13,312 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $56,641 | $10,375 |
| Biology Technician/Biotechnology Laboratory Technician. | Associate | $44,971 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $41,087 | $6,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $30,047 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $27,203 | $6,310 |
The Risk Factor
22.7% of students at Middlesex Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Middlesex Community College costs almost nothing to attend and pays back quickly, which makes the math work despite one glaring weakness. At under $4,000 a year in net price and median debt around $7,300, you can finish here owing less than the price of a used car. Median earnings a decade out land above $50,000. That combination is rare for a two-year school.
The health programs carry this school. Dental support and allied health diagnostic associate degrees both clear $56,000, well above the school-wide median, and they lead directly into Boston-area hospital and clinic jobs that keep hiring. Biotechnology lab tech at $44,971 taps the same regional biotech and pharma employers. Business administration pays $41,087 on the lowest debt of any program here ($6,500), so the return holds even though the salary is modest.
Teacher education is the weak spot. At $30,047, that associate degree earns barely more than a full-time minimum-wage job in Massachusetts, and it points toward a career where you will need a bachelor's and licensure anyway. Skip it as a terminal credential.
The real risk is finishing at all. Under a quarter of students graduate. If you drop out, you lose the earnings payoff and may still carry debt. The cheap tuition only works if you complete the degree, so treat that 22.7% as a warning about your own follow-through.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $2,000 a year, and this is one of the safest financial bets in the state. Above $110,000, net price climbs past $10,000, still cheap, but weigh it against transferring the credits into a four-year school. Come here for the health and biotech tracks, use it as a low-cost transfer launch for everything else, and go in planning to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Middlesex Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $3,694 per year and graduates earning $50,651 annually after 10 years, Middlesex Community College offers solid financial value. The low debt burden of $7,291 makes it a relatively safe investment, though the 23% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Middlesex Community College?
Dental support services ($57,318) and allied health diagnostic programs ($56,641) offer the highest earnings at Middlesex Community College. These programs significantly outperform the general graduate average and justify the investment.
How much debt do Middlesex Community College graduates have?
Middlesex Community College graduates typically carry $7,291 in debt, which is manageable given the low annual cost. This debt level is reasonable compared to earnings potential, especially for health-related programs.
Why is Middlesex Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 23% of students graduate from Middlesex Community College, which is typical for community colleges where many students attend part-time or transfer before completing degrees. This low rate means the earnings data only reflects successful completers, not all enrollees.