Mount Wachusett Community College
#3 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts- Graduation Rate
- 27% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,118 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $7,931 B+
- 54% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,059
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 28.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts.
Every $1 spent returns $28.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $886,044.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 27% — 54% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $28.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Mount Wachusett Community College Matters
Mount Wachusett Community College is a public community college in Gardner, MA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
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
- 3,059
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose Mount Wachusett 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 $7,931 a year after grants and scholarships — 54% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,118 ten years after enrolling — 1% above the typical college, against $10,252 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 54% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.46 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Mount Wachusett Community College serves around 3,059 students, making it a welcoming environment for those who thrive in smaller settings. If you're looking to study Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Criminal Justice, or Computer Science & IT, this is a solid choice. The focus here is on practical skills and preparing students for the workforce or further education.
Looking at what happens after graduation, the earnings for graduates ten years out average around $41,118. This tells us that students can expect a decent return on their investment. With a significant portion of students receiving Pell Grants—44%—the college aims to keep education accessible. While the graduation rate sits at 27%, those who do complete their programs tend to see a positive impact on their earning potential.
When we consider the financial side, the net price after aid is approximately $7,931, which is manageable for many. With a median debt of $10,252, students often leave with a reasonable debt load compared to their earnings. This environment tends to suit those who are motivated to improve their lives and are looking for a pathway to better opportunities without the burden of excessive student loans.
Rankings
- #3 Best Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts
- #4 Best Community Colleges for Nursing
- #7 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
- #11 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Massachusetts
- #12 Best Business Colleges in Massachusetts
- #15 Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- #18 Best Community Colleges
- #21 Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts
Can I Get In?
How selective Mount Wachusett 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 Mount Wachusett Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mount Wachusett Community College, located in Gardner, Massachusetts, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,488
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.60
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
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 Mount Wachusett Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Wachusett Community College is $11,080, 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 $7,931. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,899 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,252 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,160
- Out-of-State
- $11,080
- Avg Net Price
- $7,931
- Median Debt
- $10,252
- Pell Grant Rate
- 44%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 17%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,899
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,873
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $6,711
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,528
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Mount Wachusett Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Wachusett Community College report median earnings of $41,118, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,314
- 8 Years
- $38,341
- 10 Years
- $41,118
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.25x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (45)
- 11%
- 100% (45)
- 11%
- 100% (45)
- 11%
- 100% (45)
- 11%
How Mount Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Mount Wachusett Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Mount Wachusett Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,931/year ($31,724 total). Graduates earn $41,118 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $917,768 in total earnings — a net gain of $886,044 (28.9× your investment). The median debt is $10,252, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 27% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $31,724
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $917,768
- Net Return
- $886,044
- ROI Multiple
- 28.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,931
- Median Debt
- $10,252
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 27%
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 Mount Wachusett Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Wachusett Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.7% 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 13% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.39%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 13.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $71,400
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $4,126,757
- Federal Grants
- $5,003,395
Top Programs
The fields Mount Wachusett 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.
- Health Professions 29%
- Business & Marketing 19%
- Humanities 12%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Legal Studies 4%
- Criminal Justice 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 3%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Mount Wachusett 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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Mount Wachusett Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Mount Wachusett Community College, located in Gardner, Massachusetts, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 27%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Mount Wachusett Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Mount Wachusett Community College is $11,080, 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 $7,931. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,899 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,252 in federal student loans.
Is Mount Wachusett Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Mount Wachusett Community College report median earnings of $41,118, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Mount Wachusett Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Mount Wachusett Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 1.39%, well above the typical college. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.7% 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 13% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $71,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Mount Wachusett Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Wachusett Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.46, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Mount Wachusett Community College.
- Mendocino CollegeUkiah, CA · Close peer28% grad $40,243 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Central Maine Community CollegeAuburn, ME · Close peer29% grad $42,448 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- SUNY Broome Community CollegeBinghamton, NY · Close peer23% grad $39,710 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Luzerne County Community CollegeNanticoke, PA · Close peer22% grad $40,437 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Parkland CollegeChampaign, IL · Close peer32% grad $38,320 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mohawk Valley Community CollegeUtica, NY · Close peer36% grad $39,850 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Mount Wachusett Community College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Mount Wachusett Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.46, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.01), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note