Degree Dividend
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Northern Essex Community College vs Cambridge College: which has better ROI?

Public, Haverhill MA · vs · Private nonprofit, Boston MA

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northern Essex Community College comes closer — median earnings $42,862 against a $12,092 total, vs $45,998 at Cambridge College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorthern Essex Community CollegeCambridge College
Net price / yr$6,046$31,072
Total net cost$12,092$124,288
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,862$45,998
Median debt$9,000$21,791
Payback——
20-year net return-$122,052-$171,528

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

Which is cheaper, Northern Essex Community College or Cambridge College?

Northern Essex Community College, at $6,046 a year after aid versus $31,072 — a gap of $25,026 a year, or $112,196 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Northern Essex Community College or Cambridge College graduates earn more?

Cambridge College graduates report a median $45,998 ten years after entry, $3,136 more than the $42,862 at Northern Essex 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, Northern Essex Community College or Cambridge College?

Northern Essex Community College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $21,791 at Cambridge College, a difference of $12,791. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

21% of students finish at Northern Essex Community College, against 11% at Cambridge 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.

Northern Essex Community College vs Cambridge College: frequently asked questions

Is Northern Essex Community College or Cambridge College a better value?
Northern Essex 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, Northern Essex Community College or Cambridge College?
Northern Essex Community College: $6,046/yr net price after aid versus $31,072/yr at Cambridge College — a difference of $25,026 a year, or about $112,196 over four years.
Do Northern Essex Community College or Cambridge College graduates earn more?
Cambridge College graduates earn a median $45,998 ten years after entry, versus $42,862 at Northern Essex Community College — a $3,136 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.