Northern Essex Community College (NECC) vs Holyoke Community College
Northern Essex Community College and Holyoke Community College, both esteemed institutions of higher learning in Massachusetts, offer unique educational experiences tailored to diverse student aspirations. While they share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they also possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. Northern Essex boasts a higher acceptance rate, welcoming a broader range of students, while Holyoke maintains a slightly smaller student body, fostering a more intimate learning environment. Their popular majors reflect their regional strengths, with Northern Essex excelling in business and healthcare, and Holyoke specializing in liberal arts and social sciences. Discover which college aligns best with your academic goals and personal preferences by exploring the comprehensive comparison table provided, delving into the details of acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates.
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![]() Holyoke Community College |
![]() Northern Essex Community College |
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Overview |
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Location | Holyoke, Massachusetts | Haverhill, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 64.0% | 53.0% |
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No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | Open Admission | Open Admission |
Application fees | ||
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | ||
Total number of admissions given out | ||
Admitted students who chose to enroll | ||
Yield rate | ||
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | Not required | Not required |
High school GPA | N/A | N/A |
Recommendation letters | N/A | N/A |
High school transcript | N/A | N/A |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | N/A | N/A |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$20,828
Out of state:
$25,772
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In state:
$22,584
Out of state:
$28,368
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Average net price | $8,305 | $7,753 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,088
Out of state:
$10,032
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In state:
$600
Out of state:
$6,384
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Room & board | ||
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $3,710 |
69.0%
Average amount $4,769 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $3,562 |
13.0%
Average amount $3,322 |
Students taking out private loans |
0.0%
Average amount $9,000 |
1.0%
Average amount $6,930 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,738
Men 34.6% Women 65.4% |
4,770
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | N/A | N/A |
International students | 0.4% | 0.9% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | Suburb: Large |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | N/A |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | N/A |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi Connecticut New York | Mississippi New Hampshire Connecticut Florida New York |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 20:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 22.7% | 14.4% |
Dropout rate | 48.7% | 55.5% |
Transferred out | 18.0% | 11.8% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (Associate's Degrees)
Social Work (Associate's Degrees)
Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services (Associate's Degrees)
Fine and Studio Arts (Associate's Degrees)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Undergraduate Certificates or Diplomas)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Associate's Degrees)
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