Best Colleges in Massachusetts for Associate, Bachelor’s & Master’s

Massachusetts College Guide – What You Need to Know

Get Matched With Massachusetts Programs

Massachusetts is not lacking for superior online higher education options. The state is home to the prestigious Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). They all offer online degrees and courses. You will also find many other accredited alternatives for a reputable online or traditional education. The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, College of Holy Cross, Williams College, Bentley University, Amherst College, Tufts University, Boston College, Wheaton College, and Massachusetts Maritime Academy are just some of the many options available.

You will find liberal arts schools, art and design schools, business schools, research universities, private schools, and public schools. Many of these outstanding higher educational institutions offer both online classes and traditional brick-and-mortar courses. These colleges and universities also offer a wide array of extracurricular activities, social events, alumni associations, networking opportunities, and job placement opportunities.

What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Massachusetts?

The most popular bachelor’s degrees in any state, and therefore the degrees that are on offer at local colleges and universities, depends greatly upon the needs of the nearby companies and economy. If you attend a liberal arts school, you will have a more standardized list of degree offerings. These include humanities, social sciences, political science, and creative arts. A technical school will offer more engineering and science-based degrees and a private school might have more diverse degree offerings, including the sciences, education, business, and nursing.

The most sought after bachelor’s degrees in Massachusetts include:

How Much Can You Make by Having a Degree in Massachusetts


The earning potential between having a degree and not having a degree is quite staggering. Essentially, the higher the degree you complete, the greater the pay you will receive. With a high school diploma or its equivalent, you can make up to $10,000 more a year than without one. You can make roughly $6,500 more with an associate’s degree over a high school diploma. With a bachelor’s degree, you can make up to $17,500 more than an associate’s degree holder and nearly $24,000 more than someone with a high school diploma. If you complete a master’s degree, this increases to almost $36,000 more than a high school diploma. And a doctorate will earn you approximately $53,600 more each year than a high school graduate. If you want to earn more money earlier in life, or significantly more than your current position, you should consider getting a higher degree.

Education Level & National Average Median Compensation

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$30,784* $38,792* $46,124* $64,896* $77,844* $96,772*

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Best Associate Degrees in Massachusetts


You can start exploring your higher education options by considering the best two-year degrees available in Massachusetts. You can earn a valuable associate degree quickly from one of the top colleges in the state. Regardless of your preferred concentration, one of these associate programs can help prepare you for a successful career after graduation. It is also an affordable way to complete your general education requirements for future transfer to a four-year institution.

Roxbury Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
1,674
Graduation Rate
50%
Net Price
$9,797
Grads Salary
$39,300
Massachusetts Bay Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
4,048
Graduation Rate
20%
Net Price
$9,042
Grads Salary
$44,100
North Shore Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
5,388
Graduation Rate
25%
Net Price
$7,261
Grads Salary
$37,100
Quincy College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
3,401
Graduation Rate
16%
Net Price
$14,015
Grads Salary
$36,800
Middlesex Community College-Bedford
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
7,569
Graduation Rate
20%
Net Price
$4,700
Grads Salary
$43,500
Quinsigamond Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
7,291
Graduation Rate
22%
Net Price
$7,126
Grads Salary
$39,400
Bard College at Simon's Rock
College Type
4-year, primarily associate's, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
398
Graduation Rate
62%
Net Price
$37,326
Grads Salary
$32,500
Greenfield Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
1,761
Graduation Rate
28%
Net Price
$9,027
Grads Salary
$38,400
Mount Wachusett Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
3,674
Graduation Rate
26%
Net Price
$8,096
Grads Salary
$35,800
Massasoit Community College
College Type
2-year, Public
Campus Housing
No
Student Population
6,637
Graduation Rate
19%
Net Price
$8,730
Grads Salary
$37,200
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Best Bachelor's Degrees in Massachusetts


Students looking for a prestigious four-year bachelor’s degree program in Massachusetts have several great options to consider. Whether you are preparing for employment in a specific field or plan to seek an advanced degree in the future, earning an undergraduate degree from one of the top colleges in the state is a good way to start. These programs will provide you with knowledge and skills you need to jumpstart your academic and/or professional career.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
11,520
Graduation Rate
96%
Net Price
$19,998
Grads Salary
$113,600
Harvard University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
30,391
Graduation Rate
98%
Net Price
$18,037
Grads Salary
$95,300
Amherst College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
1,839
Graduation Rate
95%
Net Price
$18,832
Grads Salary
$81,400
Wellesley College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
2,519
Graduation Rate
94%
Net Price
$21,614
Grads Salary
$80,200
Williams College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
2,150
Graduation Rate
96%
Net Price
$22,356
Grads Salary
$79,000
Tufts University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
11,878
Graduation Rate
94%
Net Price
$32,720
Grads Salary
$82,200
Boston University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
33,720
Graduation Rate
89%
Net Price
$29,154
Grads Salary
$79,100
Boston College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
14,747
Graduation Rate
92%
Net Price
$30,192
Grads Salary
$78,100
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
31,350
Graduation Rate
83%
Net Price
$22,505
Grads Salary
$73,500
College of the Holy Cross
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
2,963
Graduation Rate
93%
Net Price
$32,061
Grads Salary
$77,800
Full Ranking Report

Best Master's Degrees in Massachusetts


Whether you are pursuing a career in business, law, medicine, or engineering, it’s important to earn one of the best degrees you can. Choosing an advanced degree program is about more than just the title you will receive; top degree programs in the state can offer exceptional advantages when looking for and applying to top positions in your field. Unlock your full potential by applying to one of the best programs available. Check out the best MBA programs in Massachusetts here.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
11,520
Graduation Rate
96%
Net Price
$19,998
Grads Salary
$113,600
Harvard University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
30,391
Graduation Rate
98%
Net Price
$18,037
Grads Salary
$95,300
Williams College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
2,150
Graduation Rate
96%
Net Price
$22,356
Grads Salary
$79,000
Tufts University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
11,878
Graduation Rate
94%
Net Price
$32,720
Grads Salary
$82,200
Boston University
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
33,720
Graduation Rate
89%
Net Price
$29,154
Grads Salary
$79,100
Boston College
College Type
4-year, Private not-for-profit
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
14,747
Graduation Rate
92%
Net Price
$30,192
Grads Salary
$78,100
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
31,350
Graduation Rate
83%
Net Price
$22,505
Grads Salary
$73,500
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
College Type
4-year, Public
Campus Housing
Yes
Student Population
18,352
Graduation Rate
69%
Net Price
$19,147
Grads Salary
$76,600
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Cost of Massachusetts College Education & Salaries


The total cost of your educational experience will drastically vary based on whether or not you are a resident of the state and awarded the option of in-state tuition or if your primary residence is outside of the state at the time of your application, in which case you’ll usually pay out-of-state rates, which are much higher. It will also vary depending upon the state in which you choose to pursue your higher education as some states have a significantly higher than average college tuition rate.

As you consider the cost of your education, it is important to review your earning potential upon completion of your degree program. Will you make enough money to be able to pay back any student loans you may require? Also, do you qualify for enough student loans if your parents are not paying for your schooling? You should also look into scholarships from the college or university of your choice, and apply to as many scholarships and grants locally, regionally, and nationally for which you qualify in order to help save you money.

Do not forget that online classes and community college courses typically offer pre-requisite classes for significantly less than their traditional counterparts. Many people choose to complete an associate’s degree in their field online or at a local community college to save money before they transfer to a four-year school. Keep in mind that you must attend a program that is regionally accredited for the best chance at a 100% credit transfer rate. Regardless of the way you pay for your education, it is important to know your debt to earning potential ratio before you select a college or university.

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College Cost Analysis - Massachusetts vs National


Average Massachusetts Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $13,286

National Average – $9,580

Out-of-State Tuition – $30,966

National Average – $27,437

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

According to the States Getting The Most (and Least) Federal Student Aid - 2018 Report, Massachusetts is the 11th highest ranking state with quite a bit of financial aid and grants provided to students. They provide federal student loans to roughly 263,100 students each year valued at an average of $10,855 per student loan recipient and 70% of all applicants are approved. You can see the federal grant and tuition information below:

Financial Aid Massachusetts Nationally
Received Federal Grants 33% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $7,963 $10,927

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a postsecondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Best Scholarships for Massachusetts


The state of Massachusetts and many private and public organizations offer some of the best scholarships and grants in the country. You can apply for scholarships that range from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars each year. Eligible students can even apply to have all or part of their tuition waived under certain grant programs. In most cases, you will require a specific grade point average (GPA), meet a level of financial need, or plan to pursue a certain degree.

AMLS

Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship

http://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/lindsay.asp
Amount: Varies based on need
Deadline: Unpublished
The Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship is awarded to students from Massachusetts communities of 15,000 residents or less. This scholarship is based on financial need for those students who wish to attend any college or university in the state of Massachusetts. The student will receive the scholarship each year they enroll in 12 credit hours or more as an undergraduate. You can apply for this scholarship if you are pursuing a degree program or a certificate program.

KF_logo

KF

Kelley Foundation

http://www.kelleyfoundation.org/
Amount: $100 to $3,000
Deadline: Unpublished
The Kelley Foundation dedicates an annual scholarship for a permanent resident of Barnstable County wishing to pursue a career in the medical field. The student must have plans to practice medicine in Barnstable County upon completion of their degree program. Applicants must require financial assistance and meet academic requirements. The foundation awards several scholarships annually. While the scholarship is not renewable, previous applicants can apply each year for the opportunity to receive the scholarship throughout their entire education until the license for medical practice is complete.

MPSGP

Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program

http://www.mass.edu/osfa/programs/publicservice.asp
Amount: $2,500
Deadline: May 1
The Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program is a state-funded grant for any resident of Massachusetts who intends to pursue higher education at a private or public university within the state. All applicants must be a spouse or child of military personnel who went missing or were killed in the line of duty. The scholarship is renewable each year throughout the period of time in which a student is enrolled as an undergraduate. You can be either a part-time or full-time student.

FOSF_logo

FOSF

The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund

https://www.ouimet.org/how-to-apply/
Amount: $10,000 - $40,000
Deadline: December 1
If you work on a golf course in Massachusetts as a caddie, course superintendent operations, pro shop operations, bag room, practice range, cart storage area, locker room, or in the on-course snack shack, you could be eligible to receive part of The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are also awarded on a financial need basis. Both men and women are eligible.

VPC_logo

VPC

Valley Press Club

https://valleypressclub.com/scholarships
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: April 1
The Valley Press Club offers five scholarships for student residents in Massachusetts. Eligible applicants must pursue a degree in the journalism field. Residents must be from the four western counties in the state. Each scholarship will be offered in a different sector of the industry, such as broadcast journalism, sports journalism, print journalism, and photojournalism. You will require letters of recommendation, an essay, the financial aid form, and a resume.

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