Degree Dividend
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North Shore Community College vs Berkshire Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Danvers MA · vs · Public, Pittsfield MA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Shore Community College comes closer — median earnings $45,391 against a $18,000 total, vs $38,832 at Berkshire Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorth Shore Community CollegeBerkshire Community College
Net price / yr$9,000$9,921
Total net cost$18,000$19,842
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,391$38,832
Median debt$9,000$12,053
Payback
20-year net return-$77,380-$210,402

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, North Shore Community College or Berkshire Community College?

North Shore Community College, at $9,000 a year after aid versus $9,921 — a gap of $921 a year, or $1,842 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do North Shore Community College or Berkshire Community College graduates earn more?

North Shore Community College graduates report a median $45,391 ten years after entry, $6,559 more than the $38,832 at Berkshire Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, North Shore Community College or Berkshire Community College?

North Shore Community College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $12,053 at Berkshire Community College, a difference of $3,053. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

20% of students finish at Berkshire Community College, against 18% at North Shore Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

North Shore Community College vs Berkshire Community College: frequently asked questions

Is North Shore Community College or Berkshire Community College a better value?
North Shore Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, North Shore Community College or Berkshire Community College?
North Shore Community College: $9,000/yr net price after aid versus $9,921/yr at Berkshire Community College — a difference of $921 a year, or about $1,842 over four years.
Do North Shore Community College or Berkshire Community College graduates earn more?
North Shore Community College graduates earn a median $45,391 ten years after entry, versus $38,832 at Berkshire Community College — a $6,559 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.