Head-to-head · 2026
Northern Essex Community College vs Urban College of Boston
Compare average net price ($6,046 at Northern Essex Community College; $6,957 at Urban College of Boston), ROI score (17.72 vs 12.75), ten-year median earnings ($42,862 vs $35,472), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Northern Essex Community College; Open / not reported at Urban College of Boston) using federal College Scorecard data. Northern Essex Community College has a 4-0 metric-level edge. Northern Essex Community College has the stronger ROI signal here, though the final choice should still account for aid, major and campus fit.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Northern Essex Community College | Urban College of Boston |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 17.72 ✓ | 12.75 |
| Avg net price | $6,046 ✓ | $6,957 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $42,862 ✓ | $35,472 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 20.9% ✓ | 0% |
| Median debt | $9,000 | — |
| Enrollment | 3,685 | 438 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 4 | 0 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Urban College of Boston costs $911 more per year than Northern Essex Community College ($6,957 vs $6,046). Northern Essex Community College graduates report $7,390 higher median earnings after ten years ($42,862 vs $35,472). On EduGradify's model that puts Northern Essex Community College ahead on projected ROI (17.72 vs 12.75, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (Northern Essex Community College) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Northern Essex Community College vs Urban College of Boston, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Northern Essex Community College or Urban College of Boston the better value?
Northern Essex Community College has the higher EduGradify ROI score (17.72 vs 12.75), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
Northern Essex Community College is cheaper — average net price $6,046 per year vs $6,957 at Urban College of Boston. The annual difference of $911 adds up to about $3,644 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Northern Essex Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $42,862 vs $35,472 at Urban College of Boston. The annual gap in the federal data is $7,390.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Northern Essex Community College reports a A+ value grade; Urban College of Boston reports A.