Public
Accredited · New England Commission on Higher Education
Haverhill, Massachusetts
Northern Essex Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$11,921Annual Cost
$42,862Grad Salary
33.1%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$3,971
Need-Based Aid
33.1% receive Pell
Northern Essex Community College MA Northern Essex Community College is widely recognized for transfer education and workforce preparation. Many students transfer to universities throughout Massachusetts and New England after completing coursework at NECC.\n\nThe college offers strong programs in healthcare, business, technology, STEM disciplines, and liberal arts. Comprehensive academic support and career services help students achieve their goals.
Northern Essex Community College Acceptance Rate
Northern Essex Community College (NECC) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at NECC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Northern Essex Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Northern Essex Community College (NECC) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into NECC Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Northern Essex Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for NECC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
NECC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Use NECCUM to attend private-college classes at NECC's tuition rate
Northern Essex belongs to NECCUM, a consortium of 11 colleges and universities in Northeast Massachusetts that lets NECC students take courses at member institutions - including private schools - while paying only NECC's tuition rate. Applicants planning a specific transfer major should ask an advisor which NECCUM partner offers relevant upper-level or specialized coursework early, and build that cross-registration into a degree plan from semester one rather than discovering the option after enrolling.
Take the TEAS at NECC's own testing center, not elsewhere
Nursing admission requires the TEAS exam, and NECC's own criteria packets specify it can only be taken at NECC's Academic Placement and Testing Center on the Haverhill or Lawrence campus (or remotely if proctored by ATI or an NECC-approved proctor for the certificate track) - outside scores from other institutions aren't accepted for most tracks. Applicants should also register for HES 102 (Learning Strategies for Success in Health Care Careers) and earn a "C" or better, since it's a hard admission requirement, not just a recommended course.
Understand nursing is genuinely competitive despite open general admission
Unlike NECC's open-door general admission, the Nursing Program explicitly states there are more qualified applicants than seats, and admission runs on a rolling basis where the program and its primary waitlist can fill quickly - once full, NECC continues accepting applications only to build an extended waitlist. Applicants should meet with a Center for Health Professions advisor as early as possible (the process opens around the 4th Monday of September for some cycles) rather than treating nursing admission as a formality once general admission is secured.
Use the Lawrence campus specifically for practical nursing coursework
Practical Nursing (PN) coursework is held on the Lawrence campus only, with clinical placements randomly assigned across Methuen, Tewksbury, Haverhill, Lawrence, and North Andover sites - applicants should plan transportation and scheduling around this Lawrence-based structure specifically (the PN track is also an intense 10-month certificate with clinical hours scheduled Thursday/Friday 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.), rather than assuming coursework will be available at the Haverhill campus.
Expert Insight:
The most common and costly assumption is that NECC's fully open general admission (no essay, no test scores required for the associate degree) means every program admits the same way - Nursing in particular is a separate, competitive, rolling-admission process where the seats and waitlist can fill before a student who delays their program-specific application even gets a slot, despite having been "accepted" to NECC itself months earlier.
NECC Profile
Full Name
Northern Essex Community College (NECC)
City
Haverhill
State
Massachusetts
ZIP Code
01830-2399
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)
Is a NECC Degree Worth It?
Getting into NECC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. NECC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at NECC is $64,400 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.12%.
How much does a degree from NECC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Northern Essex Community College is $11,921. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Northern Essex Community College is $3,971.
33.1% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 8.4 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to NECC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Northern Essex Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist NECC as your choice in the form.
How much does a NECC Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $42,862. An average NECC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at NECC
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Northern Essex Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About NECC Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $42,862 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $11,921 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
33.1% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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