The main campus of North Shore Community College (NSCC) is easily accessible off Route 1 South on Ferncroft Road. The college is one of the oldest and largest of the 15 community colleges in Massachusetts with a mission to provide an affordable education and vocational training to local residents in 26 communities from the north metropolitan area of Boston up to Cape Ann. The college also caters to those looking for a mid-career change or workforce development training and who need some flexibility in their class schedule, including taking classes from home. All told, about 8,000 students enroll each year in a mix of 110 associate and certificate programs.

More than 92 percent of NSCC graduates say they still live and work on the North Shore. NSCC has satellite campuses in Lynn, Beverly and in two buildings at Essex Aggie through a partnership with the vocational high school. The college is also in the midst of constructing a new health professions building on the main campus and continues to promote eco-friendly "green" initiatives. The president of North Shore Community College is Wayne Burton.

The student newspaper, "The Pennon," can be found online along with a student blog.