Holyoke Community College vs. MWCC

Comparable Facts

Compare Holyoke Community College in Holyoke, MA with Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Holyoke Community College is larger than MWCC based on total student enrollment (4,200 students vs. 3,694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Holyoke Community College is located in Holyoke, MA (Rural Fringe setting); Mount Wachusett Community College is in Gardner, MA (Rural Fringe setting).
• Holyoke Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Mount Wachusett Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Holyoke Community College 15:1; Mount Wachusett Community College 16:1.

Holyoke Community College vs. MWCC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Holyoke Community College or MWCC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Mount Wachusett Community College than Holyoke Community College ($7,592 vs. $8,253).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Wachusett Community College are 11.8% lower than at Holyoke Community College ($9,998 vs. $11,330).
• Mount Wachusett Community College is 2.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Holyoke Community College (about $172 more per year; $6,160.00 vs. $5,988.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.4% higher at MWCC than at Holyoke Community College (about $148 more per year; $11,080.00 vs. $10,932.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Wachusett Community College than at Holyoke Community College (76% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Wachusett Community College students is 18.6% larger than aid received by Holyoke Community College students ($8,069 vs. $6,806).

Holyoke Community College vs. MWCC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Holyoke Community College or MWCC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between MWCC and Holyoke Community College.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Holyoke Community College - Open admission; MWCC - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: MWCC Sep 11, 2026.

Holyoke Community College vs. MWCC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Holyoke Community College and MWCC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Holyoke Community College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,200 vs. $33,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Holyoke Community College graduates have a $525 lower median loan debt than MWCC graduates ($7,700 vs. $8,225).
• Among borrowers, Holyoke Community College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than MWCC graduates ($79 vs. $85).
• More MWCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Holyoke Community College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 49%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.