MCC Named As a 2021 Best Online Associate Degrees for Investmen

Throughout the college’s 50 years as an institution, Middlesex Community College has welcomed 26,000+ alumni and continues to educate thousands of credit and noncredit students every year. The college’s 20+ year history of excellence in online teaching has distinguished MCC as one of the 2021 Best Online Associate Degrees, according to a new report by OnlineU that ranks Middlesex as no. 18 in the country for Highest Return on Investment for students. With flexible course options and a variety of resources and services available, MCC helps students get their start or get back on their feet.

A recent report by Emsi – a labor market analytics firm – shows that in 2018-2019, MCC students paid $28.6 million to cover costs of tuition, fees, supplies and interest on their loans. Taking into account the amount of money they would have made working versus going to school, students who choose Middlesex earn on average $5.70 more for every dollar – a total of $324.5 million in increased earnings and a rate of return of 20.9 percent.

Middlesex understands that students are struggling financially because of the pandemic and may be having trouble paying for their education. The Financial Aid Office guides students towards their best financial options to save thousands on tuition costs, get more for their money and reach their goals faster. In addition to offering personalized financial aid counseling and payment plans, the department also help students apply for grants, scholarships, work studies and loans.

To help students maintain – and develop – healthy financial habits, the college’s Financial Wellness department offers coaching, knowledge and resources, including iGrad – a free online platform providing 24/7 access to financial tools.

To gain long-term financial and professional success, MCC’s Career Development Office helps students enter the workforce. By establishing relationships with local businesses and organizations, the department provides students with access to the best networking, job and internship opportunities available.

Throughout the pandemic, the department has transitioned to online services – a process that has been “seamless,” according to Catherine Cosgrove, MCC’s Coordinator of Career Planning & Placement, and Karen James, MCC’s Assistant Director of Career Planning & Placement. During the Spring 2021 semester, the department will host online career readiness appointments, employer panels, an internship fair and virtual recruiting events.

In addition to their online resources Focus2 and CareerShift, most recently the college partnered with Handshake – an early talent acquisition recruiting platform designed to find internship and job opportunities – a resource used by many employers during the hiring process.

“Handshake has been a game changer for our students in that it provides opportunities across the country that pre-COVID did not appear on our former recruiting platform,” Cosgrove and James said. “With many employers transitioned to a remote workforce, an MCC student can apply for a remote position posted on Handshake in any region of the country.”

MCC’s Spring 2021 semester will feature a traditional 15-week session and two eight-week accelerated Mini-mesters that help students fit education into their busy lifestyles and complete their program goals more quickly – getting students into the workforce faster. With 90 percent of the semester online, students can more easily balance their coursework with other responsibilities.

A leader of online education for over 20 years, MCC features curriculums designed to run online. Courses allow students to interact with content, professors and classmates in immersive and meaningful ways. Online courses will run via three primary learning modalities, including asynchronous online, synchronous online and a hybrid blend of online and face-to-face.

Students can register for MCC’s Spring 2021 semester until Monday, February 1. To register, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

For more information on Financial Aid at MCC, visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/FinancialAid/ or contact financialaid@middlesex.mass.edu.

To learn more about the services and resources MCC’s Financial Wellness provides, visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/financialwellness/ or contact financialwellness@middlesex.mass.edu.

Visit https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/careerservices/careerevents.aspx for more information on MCC’s Career Development Office.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!