Northern Essex Community College (NECC) vs Southern Maine Community College (SMCC)
Northern Essex Community College (NECC) and Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) stand out as two prominent community colleges in their respective regions, offering diverse academic programs and opportunities for higher education. While both institutions share a commitment to providing accessible and affordable education, they differ in several key aspects. NECC boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for students seeking admission. SMCC, on the other hand, offers a wider range of popular majors, including programs in health professions and engineering technologies. Additionally, the student body demographics and graduation rates vary between the two colleges, reflecting their unique characteristics and strengths. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into the details and discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and goals.
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![]() Northern Essex Community College |
![]() Southern Maine Community College |
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Overview |
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Location | Haverhill, Massachusetts | South Portland, Maine |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
College type | 2 year | 2 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate | Undergraduate |
Students retention rate | 53.0% | 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:
$22,584
Out of state:
$28,368
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In state:
$19,060
Out of state:
$21,940
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Average net price | $7,753 | $10,245 |
Tuition |
In state:
$600
Out of state:
$6,384
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In state:
$2,880
Out of state:
$5,760
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,688
Meal plan:
$3,450
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
69.0%
Average amount $4,769 |
70.0%
Average amount $5,888 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
13.0%
Average amount $3,322 |
22.0%
Average amount $4,399 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $6,930 |
0.0%
Average amount $0 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
4,770
Men 34.4% Women 65.6% |
5,435
Men 43.8% Women 56.2% |
Graduate students | N/A | N/A |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | N/A | 10.8% |
International students | 0.9% | 0.7% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Small |
Dormitory capacity | N/A | 555 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | N/A | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Mississippi New Hampshire Connecticut Florida New York | Maine New Hampshire Connecticut Vermont Maryland |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 20:1 | 16:1 |
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 | 14.4% | 22.1% |
Dropout rate | 55.5% | 49.0% |
Transferred out | 11.8% | 17.9% |
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)
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Associate's Degrees)
Fire Protection (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Associate's Degrees)
Precision Metal Working (Associate's Degrees)
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) (Associate's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Associate's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Associate's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Associate's Degrees)
Culinary Arts and Related Services (Associate's Degrees)
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services (Associate's Degrees)
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