MWCC vs. North Shore Community College

Comparable Facts

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

North Shore Community College is larger than MWCC based on total student enrollment (5,743 students vs. 3,694 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

MWCC vs. North Shore Community College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, MWCC or North Shore Community College? 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 North Shore Community College ($7,592 vs. $9,875).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Mount Wachusett Community College are 27.3% lower than at North Shore Community College ($9,998 vs. $13,750).
• Mount Wachusett Community College is 15.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than North Shore Community College (about $808 more per year; $6,160.00 vs. $5,352.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at MWCC than at North Shore Community College (about $160 more per year; $11,080.00 vs. $10,920.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Mount Wachusett Community College than at North Shore Community College (76% vs. 68%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Mount Wachusett Community College students is 26% larger than aid received by North Shore Community College students ($8,069 vs. $6,402).

MWCC vs. North Shore Community College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, MWCC or North Shore Community College? 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 North Shore Community College and MWCC.

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

MWCC vs. North Shore Community College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for MWCC and North Shore Community College? 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 North Shore Community College earn a median of about $400 more per year than MWCC graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,600 vs. $35,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Mount Wachusett Community College graduates have a $775 lower median loan debt than North Shore Community College graduates ($8,225 vs. $9,000).
• Among borrowers, MWCC graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than North Shore Community College graduates ($85 vs. $93).
• More MWCC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former North Shore Community College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 50%)

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.