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North Shore Community College

#1107 in US ranking Danvers, MA
Type:
Public
Programs:
2 to 4 years

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North Shore Community College award
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Cost

Cost / year
$13,890
Tuition & fees
$5,448
Avg. aid
$4,933
Receiving aid
73%

Outcomes

Graduation rate
18%
Median salary
$50,057
1 yr after graduation

What is the history of North Shore Community College?

North Shore Community College (NSCC) is a public community college established in 1965 to expand access to higher education on Massachusetts' North Shore. Its role has since broadened to include associate degrees, career certificates, workforce training, and preparation for transfer to four-year colleges.

NSCC operates in Danvers and Lynn. That two-campus arrangement matters to applicants: a program, laboratory, or student service may be based at one location rather than the other. Before choosing classes, students should check where each required course meets and whether its schedule fits their commute.

What are the faculties and departments at North Shore Community College?

NSCC offers associate degrees and certificates rather than bachelor's or graduate degrees. Its academic offerings span liberal arts and transfer studies, business, health professions, public service, and science and technology.

Examples include liberal arts pathways intended for transfer, business and computer-related programs, and career-focused health programs such as nursing. The distinction between a transfer degree and an occupational program is important: courses designed for immediate employment may not satisfy the same bachelor's-degree requirements as a transfer pathway. Health and other regulated programs can also have separate prerequisites, clinical requirements, and application procedures. Students should use the current NSCC catalog to check the credential, campus, course sequence, and any licensure-related conditions for their intended program.

What is the location of North Shore Community College?

North Shore Community College serves the region north of Boston from campuses in Danvers and Lynn, Massachusetts. Danvers is a suburban location; Lynn is an urban setting with connections to the broader Greater Boston area.

NSCC is primarily a commuter college, so location is a practical part of program choice. A student taking classes on both campuses needs to allow for travel between them, while a student using public transportation should check the route to the particular building and the time of the class. Boston Logan International Airport is the major regional airport, but routine transportation to campus is likely to matter much more than airport access.

What is the mission and vision of North Shore Community College?

NSCC's stated purpose centers on accessible education, student learning, transfer, and preparation for employment and civic participation. As a public community college, it serves students pursuing different goals, including a first credential, a change of career, or a route to a four-year degree.

Those priorities describe the college's mission, not a promise about any individual outcome. An applicant can test how well a particular program serves that mission by examining its required courses, transfer agreements, clinical or workplace components, and available academic support.

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North Shore Community College Profile - Basic Information

Name of the institution

North Shore Community College

Level of institution

At least 2 but less than 4 years

Control of institution

Public

Setting type

Suburb: Large

Institutional Category

Degree-granting, associate's and certificates

Institution size category

5,000 - 9,999

School type

Two-year college

Main student body

Coeducational

Calendar system

Semesters

Foundation year

1965

North Shore Community College Accreditation

North Shore Community College is institutionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, an accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Accreditation confirms that the school meets quality standards and is required for students to receive federal financial aid.

North Shore Community College Programs and Degrees

iconCertificate of less than 1 year
iconCertificate of at least 1 year, but less than 2 years
iconAssociate's degree

Data last updated on November 5, 2026

Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026

Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.