Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
Portions of the following article were drafted using an in-house natural language generation platform. The article was then reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by multiple members of our editorial team prior to publishing.
2024When it comes to higher education, Massachusetts is home to many prestigious universities for students to choose from. And many of the state’s top colleges offer degree programs online.
Online education can be a flexible and accessible way to complete your degree while working or balancing other responsibilities. Some of Massachusetts’ online colleges offer accelerated degree programs that can help you graduate in half the time.
Massachusetts also boasts a strong job market with a variety of fast-growing careers in industries such as healthcare, sports, event planning, education, and business.
We’ll explore the best online colleges, average tuition rates, and the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in Massachusetts.
Featured Online Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
- In-State$43,060
- Out-of-state$43,060
- In-State$27,152
- Out-of-state$27,152
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate66%
- Students Enrolled5,053
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,850
- Out-of-state$34,676
- In-State$14,956
- Out-of-state$27,030
- Retention Rate82%
- Acceptance Rate85%
- Students Enrolled16,959
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment39%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$36,926
- Out-of-state$36,926
- In-State$13,084
- Out-of-state$13,084
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled4,381
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment40%
- AccreditationYes
College of Our Lady of the Elms
- Chicopee, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$38,735
- Out-of-state$38,735
- In-State$16,776
- Out-of-state$16,776
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate93%
- Students Enrolled1,278
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$30,514
- Out-of-state$30,514
- In-State$18,900
- Out-of-state$18,900
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate86%
- Students Enrolled3,406
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment25%
- AccreditationYes
- In-State$46,950
- Out-of-state$46,950
- In-State$46,745
- Out-of-state$46,745
- Retention Rate85%
- Acceptance Rate50%
- Students Enrolled8,448
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment38%
- AccreditationYes
How We Rank Schools
To create this ranking, BestColleges sourced the most recent data available from the National Center for Education Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. We then ranked each school according to the top variables college students selected in our College Choice and Admissions Survey. To learn more, check out our full rankings methodology or read the summary below.
Cost of College in Massachusetts
The cost of attending college in Massachusetts can vary significantly depending on the university you attend, your residency status, and the financial aid you qualify for.
During the 2021-2022 academic year, the average cost of tuition in Massachusetts was $14,023 per year for in-state students at public four-year institutions, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).
While out-of-state students paid an average tuition of $32,291 at public universities, private four-year universities were significantly more expensive, with an average annual tuition cost of $50,820.
Average tuition rates in Massachusetts were significantly higher than the national averages at different institution types: $9,596 for in-state students at public universities, $27,457 for out-of-state students at public institutions, and $34,041 at private colleges.
| Institution Type | Average Tuition & Required Fees |
|---|---|
| Public Four-Year (In-State) | $14,023 |
| Public Four-Year (Out-of-State) | $32,291 |
| Private Four-Year | $50,820 |
| Public Two-Year (In-State) | $5,559 |
| Public Two-Year (Out-of-State) | $10,715 |
10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Massachusetts
Whether you’re interested in healthcare, sports, event planning, education, or business, there are likely employment opportunities for you in Massachusetts.
As you navigate your educational journey, keep these promising career paths in mind, as each requires at least a bachelor’s degree. Attending an online college in Massachusetts can be a stepping stone toward landing one of these high-demand jobs in the future.
The Massachusetts Department of Economic Research has projected several careers will experience significant growth in the next 10 years. This includes coaches and scouts, nurse practitioners, event planners, physician assistants, and speech-language pathologists.
| Job | Job Growth 2020-2030 | Average Annual Wage 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches and Scouts | 61% | $57,339 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 61% | $128,447 |
| Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners | 36% | $58,634 |
| Physician Assistants | 35% | $125,073 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 31% | $129,103 |
| Speech-Language Pathologists | 27% | $84,541 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 25% | $108,246 |
| Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary | 24% | $84,857 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 23% | $78,081 |
| Fundraisers | 23% | $63,927 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Colleges in Massachusetts
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), located in Cambridge, is often considered the best college in Massachusetts. MIT earned this distinction based on key factors such as student outcomes, learning environment, and program quality. Other top colleges in Massachusetts include Harvard University and Boston College.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed March 20, 2024.
Explore More College Resources
Best Colleges in Massachusetts
The higher education experts at BestColleges.com reviewed top 2-year and 4-year colleges in Massachusetts. Start planning your future at BestColleges.com
Updated October 2, 2024
Best Community Colleges in Massachusetts
Find out more about the best community colleges in Massachusetts, including popular degree programs and employment opportunities for graduates.
by Reese Lopez
Updated October 31, 2024