Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts

Discover the best online colleges in Massachusetts and the top 10 fastest-growing jobs in the state to make an informed decision about your education and career path.
Danika Miller
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Updated March 26, 2024
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At BestColleges.com, we believe in providing accurate and actionable information for students. Our writers, editors, and reporters are constantly asking themselves the question, ”What information is vital to students right now?” Answering this question is what drives us. Our mission is to inform students through straightforward, factual content informed by the latest data and trends.

The freelance Integrity Network at BestColleges is comprised of seasoned professionals who bring their expertise to almost every subject relevant to college students, including admissions, college majors, financial aid, and student mental health. Network members review and author content, pulling from their first-hand industry experience and ensuring content is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.

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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.


When 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.

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Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts

#1

Simmons University

Boston, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$43,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

66%

Acceptance Rate

68%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,152

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,152

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

5,053

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,060

Boston, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$43,060

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$43,060

Acceptance Rate

66%

Online Enrollment

68%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$27,152

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,152

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

5,053

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#2

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$15,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$34,676

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

85%

Acceptance Rate

39%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,030

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

16,959

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,676

Lowell, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$15,850

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$34,676

Acceptance Rate

85%

Online Enrollment

39%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$14,956

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$27,030

Retention Rate

82%

Students Enrolled

16,959

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

#3

Endicott College

Beverly, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$36,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

73%

Acceptance Rate

40%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,084

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,084

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

4,381

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,926

Beverly, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$36,926

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$36,926

Acceptance Rate

73%

Online Enrollment

40%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,084

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,084

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

4,381

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#4

College of Our Lady of the Elms

Chicopee, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$38,735

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$38,735

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

93%

Acceptance Rate

47%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,776

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,776

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

1,278

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$38,735

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,735

Chicopee, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$38,735

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$38,735

Acceptance Rate

93%

Online Enrollment

47%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$16,776

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$16,776

Retention Rate

75%

Students Enrolled

1,278

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#5

Lesley University

Cambridge, MA4 yearCampus + Online

$30,514

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,514

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

86%

Acceptance Rate

25%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,900

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

3,406

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,514

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,514

Cambridge, MA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$30,514

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$30,514

Acceptance Rate

86%

Online Enrollment

25%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$18,900

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$18,900

Retention Rate

74%

Students Enrolled

3,406

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

#6

Berklee College of Music

Boston, MA2 yearCampus + Online

$46,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

50%

Acceptance Rate

38%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$46,745

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,745

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

8,448

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,950

Boston, MA2 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$46,950

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,950

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment

38%

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$46,745

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$46,745

Retention Rate

85%

Students Enrolled

8,448

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

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.

Cost of College in Massachusetts in 2021-2022
Institution TypeAverage 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
Source: NCES

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.

10 Fast-Growing Jobs in Massachusetts
JobJob Growth 2020-2030Average Annual Wage 2022
Coaches and Scouts61%$57,339
Nurse Practitioners61%$128,447
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners36%$58,634
Physician Assistants35%$125,073
Medical and Health Services Managers31%$129,103
Speech-Language Pathologists27%$84,541
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary25%$108,246
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary24%$84,857
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists23%$78,081
Fundraisers23%$63,927
Source: Massachusetts Department of Economic Research

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.

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