Middlesex Community College
#1 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 23% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $50,651 B-
- Well above the typical college graduate
- Net Price
- $2,624 A+
- 85% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 5,412
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 129.4× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $129.4 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $129.4 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,348,090.
What The Data Says
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A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Earnings 24% above the national college median.
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Graduation of 23% — 60% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $129.4 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Middlesex Community College
Middlesex Community College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 5,412
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Middlesex Community College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $2,624 a year after grants and scholarships — 85% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $50,651 ten years after enrolling — 24% above the typical college, against $7,291 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 0.84 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
Middlesex Community College is a solid choice for students looking to jumpstart their education in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, and Education. With an enrollment of around 5,412 students, it creates a community that’s both diverse and supportive, making it a good fit for those who thrive in a collaborative environment. The smaller size allows for more personalized attention, which can be crucial as you navigate your academic journey.
When it comes to life after graduation, students see a median earnings figure of $50,651 a decade post-graduation. This suggests that many graduates are able to find stable jobs that can sustain them and their families. Affordability is another positive aspect, with a net price of just $2,624 after financial aid. This means that a degree from Middlesex can lead to a reasonable return on investment, making it an appealing option for those who want to minimize debt while maximizing earning potential.
The practicalities of attending Middlesex also favor students who are budget-conscious. With a median debt of $7,291, graduates enter the workforce without being overwhelmed by student loans. Students who tend to thrive here often appreciate the accessible education model and the focused programs that can lead to immediate employment opportunities. If you're looking for an affordable path to a fulfilling career, this community college could be a great stepping stone.
Rankings
- #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
- #17 Most Affordable Online Public Universities
- #22 Most Affordable Online Colleges
- #30 Best Education Colleges in Massachusetts
- #35 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #45 Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts
- #45 Best Data Science Colleges in Massachusetts
- #48 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Middlesex Community College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Middlesex Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bedford, Massachusetts, Middlesex Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 23%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 25%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,618
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 50%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Middlesex Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Middlesex Community College is $12,120, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $2,624. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $943 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,291 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,048
- Out-of-State
- $12,120
- Avg Net Price
- $2,624
- Median Debt
- $7,291
- Pell Grant Rate
- 20%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 5%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $943
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $1,646
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $1,399
- Family Income $110K+
- $8,426
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Middlesex Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Middlesex Community College earn a median of $50,651, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $40,318
- 8 Years
- $45,369
- 10 Years
- $50,651
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.14x
- Earning > $25K
- 57%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (75)
- 10%
- 100% (75)
- 10%
- 100% (75)
- 10%
- 100% (75)
- 10%
How Middlesex Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is Middlesex Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Middlesex Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $2,624/year ($10,496 total). Graduates earn $50,651 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,358,586 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,348,090 (129.4× your investment). The median debt is $7,291, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 23% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $10,496
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,358,586
- Net Return
- $1,348,090
- ROI Multiple
- 129.4×
- Cost Per Year
- $2,624
- Median Debt
- $7,291
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 23%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Middlesex Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Middlesex Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.00%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 34100% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.00%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 0.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 34100.0%
- Share of students
Top Programs
The fields Middlesex Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 26%
- Health Professions 21%
- Business & Marketing 18%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Education 4%
- Criminal Justice 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Legal Studies 3%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Middlesex Community College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Middlesex Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Bedford, Massachusetts, Middlesex Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 23%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Middlesex Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Middlesex Community College is $12,120, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $2,624. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $943 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $7,291 in federal student loans.
Is Middlesex Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Middlesex Community College earn a median of $50,651, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Middlesex Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Middlesex Community College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.00%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 34100% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 0.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder.
How Connected Is Middlesex Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Middlesex Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.84, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias runs higher (0.26), suggesting students tend to form ties within their own economic group. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Middlesex Community College.
- West Valley CollegeSaratoga, CA · Close peer52% grad $51,688 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Yuba CollegeMarysville, CA · Close peer36% grad $39,552 earnWhy: similar size · similar net price
- Mission CollegeSanta Clara, CA · Close peer46% grad $50,936 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Middlesex CollegeEdison, NJ · Close peer34% grad $46,861 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size
- Normandale Community CollegeBloomington, MN · Close peer23% grad $50,207 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Charles Community CollegeCottleville, MO · Close peer24% grad $42,422 earnWhy: similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Middlesex Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Middlesex Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.84, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias runs higher (0.26), suggesting students tend to form ties within their own economic group. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note