Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 19.0%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $42,862
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $9,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 50.3%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $95/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $65,905 | $15,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $53,179 | $13,723 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $35,416 | $8,505 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $35,060 | $11,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $35,060 | $8,275 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $31,763 | $5,600 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Associate | $31,423 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $30,228 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $30,228 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $29,685 | $11,875 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $25,774 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,709 | $8,585 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $25,194 | $10,758 |
Outcomes Overview
Graduates earn a median of $42,862 ten years after starting, while typical debt loads reach just $9,000. Monthly loan payments of $95 represent only 2.7% of median income, well below the recommended 10% threshold. The 94.3% employment rate reflects strong job placement in the Merrimack Valley's manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Northern Essex serves as a stepping stone for students transferring to four-year universities or entering technical careers at local employers like Pentucket Medical Associates and Plaistow's industrial companies. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.21 compares favorably to the national community college average of 0.35. With low costs and solid employment outcomes in a region with growing healthcare and advanced manufacturing needs, this represents a strong return on investment.