New England is known for a number of top-ranked universities and colleges, including the 20 best affordable colleges in Massachusetts for bachelor’s degrees. In addition to being home to some of the most prestigious and oldest colleges in the country, Massachusetts also supports a diverse array of small private liberal arts colleges. These schools treasure creativity, inclusion, diversity, and uniqueness as critical components of any life-altering academic experience. Plus, the state’s public school system packs a powerful punch against some of academia’s most formidable competitors, providing quality research opportunities without the high price tag. Below, we have ranked the best affordable colleges in Massachusetts for bachelor’s degrees to help provide prospective students with the “best value” institutions based on affordability and quality.
Featured Programs
Methodology
In order to develop a comprehensive list of the top colleges and universities in Massachusetts, we created a metric that took affordability, student-to-faculty ratios, and graduation rates into account. Using the College Navigator tool at the National Center for Education Statistics (NCS), we conducted a search for bachelor’s degrees from colleges in Massachusetts. We awarded points based on the three factors outlined below and point ties were broken based upon the lowest tuition.
Average Cost of Attendance
The average cost of attendance is one of the most important factors to think about when choosing a program. However, as you narrow down your options, try to avoid choosing a particular degree or school simply because it is the cheapest. Instead, make sure that the school offers what you are looking for in a college degree in terms of available majors, opportunities for research or internships, and extracurriculars. For the purpose of this list, we ranked tuition based on the cost of one year of study for in-state students taking a 15-hour course load per semester as reported from NCES. Although we did not take out-of-state costs into consideration for the purpose of awarding points, we provided these rates for your reference.
Points:
Under $7,500: 3 points
$7,500 to $15,000: 2 points
$15,001 and above: 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
As you continue the process of choosing the college or university that is right for you, another factor you might find yourself considering is the size of the classes at each school. Although some students have no preference one way or another, others thrive in small classes in which professors are able to provide greater accountability and more academic support. On the other hand, some students may learn best in environments in which they are free to study without developing close relationships with peers and faculty. While the preference for small or large schools depends on each individual student, in this ranking, we awarded the most points to schools with the lowest student-to-faculty ratios from the information at NCES.
Points:
10:1 or less: 3 points
11:1 to 15:1: 2 points
Greater than 15:1: 1 point
Graduation Rate
Finally, looking at a school’s graduation rate is a great way to learn more about the quality of its programs. Although it is always good to know the likelihood of being admitted into a program, the ultimate goal is to actually graduate with a degree. Therefore, schools with low graduation rates should be considered with caution as there might be one or more reasons why students are leaving prior to completing their programs. Students might feel that the degrees at these institutions are unaffordable, that the faculty members are inexperienced or unhelpful, or that the school is failing to offer the academic support they need to succeed. Therefore, we determined that schools with the highest graduation rates from NCES deserved the highest number of points for student satisfaction based on the ranges below.
Points
More than 50 percent: 3 points
Between 30 percent and 50 percent: 2 points
Less than 30 percent: 1 point
Ranking 20 Best Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
20. Bay State College
Boston, Massachusetts
Points: 5
School Website
Located in Boston, Bay State College is an affordable Massachusetts university that offers more than 15 associate and bachelor’s degrees to approximately 800 students per year. Founded in 1946, BSC offers low-cost undergraduate programs in criminal justice, entertainment management, fashion merchandising, and nursing as well as healthcare, information technology, and management. Students benefit from a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio as well as an average class size of 18 students. The school’s commitment to professional and academic advancement provides students with many opportunities for internships and networking with alumni and employers across the region. Bay State also operates a satellite location in Taunton that provides evening classes to nontraditional students and working adults.
In-State Tuition: $22,320
Out-of-State Tuition: $22,320
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Graduation Rate: 30 percent
19. Boston Architectural College
Boston, Massachusetts
Points: 5
School Website
Founded in 1889 as Boston Architectural Club, Boston Architectural College is the largest private college of spatial design in New England. An affordable private college in Massachusetts, the BAC offers low-cost undergraduate degrees in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, and design students with two concentrations in computational design and sustainable building technology. The school boasts an open admissions policy, meaning that any student with the drive and determination to earn a college degree is welcome. Approximately 97 percent of The BAC students are employed the day they graduate. Outside of the classroom, students are immersed in a vibrant culture of entertainment, food, and art nestled among a unique blend of historic and cutting-edge buildings. Students acquire professional experience through hands-on projects and real-world employment.
In-State Tuition: $21,924
Out-of-State Tuition: $21,924
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 3:1
Graduation Rate: 10 percent
18. University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
Points: 5
School Website
Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts-Amherst is a best-value accredited university in Massachusetts. This flagship campus of the university system enrolls nearly 30,000 students and offers more than 90 affordable undergraduate and graduate programs through its nine schools and colleges. UMass Amherst’s most popular majors include psychology, the liberal arts and humanities, economics, and communications as well as public health, finance, biology, and political science and government. UMass Amherst sponsors the Five College Interchange which allows students to take courses for credit at Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College. The campus itself is known for its bustling entertainment and art venue where students can enjoy live plays and musicals, art gallery showings, and festivals. Students may also choose from more than 200 student clubs and organizations, several of which are centered around activism and protest.
In-State Tuition: $15,887
Out-of-State Tuition: $34,570
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 18:1
Graduation Rate: 77 percent
17. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, Massachusetts
Points: 5
School Website
The University of Massachusetts-Lowell is another affordable college in Massachusetts. Established in 1894 as Lowell Normal School, UMass-Lowell is the second-largest public institution of higher learning in the state with a student body of more than 18,000 undergraduates and graduates. The school confers more than 100 inexpensive undergraduate majors, including unique academic option in sound recording technology, creative writing, peace and conflict studies, and atmospheric science. To make its programs more affordable, the school awards more than $170 million in financial aid to eligible students each year. Students may join more than 200 student-run clubs and organizations, including the Greek Council, marching band, the Off-Broadway Players, and WUML, the on-campus radio station.
In-State Tuition: $15,180
Out-of-State Tuition: $32,827
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 60 percent
Featured Programs
16. University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, Massachusetts
Points: 5
School Website
The University of Massachusetts-Boston is one of the most inexpensive colleges in Massachusetts and the third-largest university in the five-school University of Massachusetts System. Sitting on a 120-acre campus next to the John F. Kennedy Library and the Presidential Museum, UMass Boston provides many opportunities for students to embrace culture and history while pursuing their degrees. Home to 10 colleges, UMass Boston offers extensive service, distinguished research, and challenging teaching in response to the needs of the state’s urban areas. Popular areas of study at the undergraduate level include low-cost majors in business, psychology, biology, physical education teaching and coaching, nursing, information technology, economics, criminal justice and safety studies, and nursing. UMass Boston hosts more than 100 student organizations, including clubs, literary magazines, a newspaper, a radio station, an art gallery, and NCAA Division III sports teams.
In-State Tuition: $14,167
Out-of-State Tuition: $33,966
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 48 percent
15. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Points: 5
School Website
The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is one of the cheapest universities in Massachusetts and was established in 1895. The school enrolls 8,600 students each year through its five colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, Charlton College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Nursing, and the College of Visual & Performing Arts. Students may pursue innovative, inspiring, and affordable educational opportunities, with more than 100 areas of study at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Popular affordable majors include nursing, psychology, business, accounting, criminology, marketing, and mechanical engineering. Student life includes a number of opportunities to get involved through athletics and more than 180 clubs and organizations. Student Activities, Involvement, Leadership (SAIL) provides leadership, educational, and social opportunities to empower students and develop a strong campus community.
In-State Tuition: $13,921
Out-of-State Tuition: $29,141
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduation Rate: 48 percent
14. Bay Path University
Longmeadow, Massachusetts
Points: 6
School Website
Located in Longmeadow, Bay Path University is a top-value private accredited Massachusetts college that confers all-women bachelor’s degrees as well as coeducational master’s and doctoral programs. Founded in 1897 as the Bay Path Institute, the school offers economical learning options to fit the unique needs of its students, including weekday on-campus classes at its Residential College, Saturday classes via the One Day a Week Saturday Program, and online degrees through The American Women’s College. Students may choose from cheap in-demand majors such as business analytics, cybersecurity, biotechnology, child psychology, and neurobiology as well as concentrations and minors that deepen their knowledge in a specific area. Student life is comprised of student activities, fitness and recreation, athletics, health services, counseling services, and residential life and learning.
In-State Tuition: $34,225
Out-of-State Tuition: $34,225
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Graduation Rate: 57 percent
13. Montserrat College of Art
Beverly, Massachusetts
Points: 6
School Website
Montserrat College of Art is a low-cost private college in Beverly that specializes in the visual arts. Established in 1970, this accredited college in Massachusetts enrolls 374 undergraduates and boasts a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Montserrat offers a wide variety of writing, design, and art programs in a collaborative, rigorous, and student-centered environment. Students may pursue an affordable Bachelor of Fine Arts in several concentrations, including art education, graphic design, painting, sculpture, interdisciplinary arts, animation and interactive media, and photo, video, and film. Student-run clubs and organizations center around the unique interests and hobbies of students, including video games, trading cards, animation, student government, and LGBTQIA+. Montserrat is home to four art galleries that are free and open to the public, exhibiting works by local, regional, national, and international artists.
In-State Tuition: $33,400
Out-of-State Tuition: $33,400
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Graduation Rate: 57 percent
12. Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts
Points: 6
School Website
Established in 1939 as Endicott Junior College, Endicott College is a best-value private accredited college in Massachusetts located on a 235-acre oceanfront campus just 20 miles north of Boston in Beverly. Students may choose from on-campus and online undergraduate degrees, including low-cost majors in liberal studies, criminal justice, business management, and integrated studies for those interested in more than one industry. All students, regardless of major, are required to complete one senior thesis and three internships over the course of four years in order to make important industry contacts, build their confidence, and gain professional experience in their fields. According to Endicott, approximately 90 percent of graduates are employed full-time in occupations related to their major, and 98 percent of graduates are either attending graduate school or working.
In-State Tuition: $33,050
Out-of-State Tuition: $33,050
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate: 75 percent
11. Eastern Nazarene College
Quincy, Massachusetts
Points: 6
School Website
Eastern Nazarene College is a private and economical Christian college located just six miles from Boston in Quincy. Founded in 1900, this affordable accredited college in Massachusetts is known for its religion and science education as well as its liberal arts core curriculum, offering primarily bachelor’s degrees in over 50 majors with several professional graduate education programs. Money Magazine ranked ENC as the number one top private college in New England for affordability. Popular areas of study include early childhood education, business, elementary education, psychology, biology, and criminal justice. The school’s incredible 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio allows for small class sizes that ensure students and professors are able to connect on a personal basis. ENC’s diverse and esteemed faculty are active in their fields and provide students with many opportunities for group projects, internships, research, and career opportunities.
In-State Tuition: $25,598
Out-of-State Tuition: $25,598
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Graduation Rate: 49 percent
10. Westfield State University
Westfield, Massachusetts
Points: 6
School Website
Established in 1838 as Westfield Normal School, Westfield State University is one of the cheapest public colleges in Massachusetts. WSU confers 31 affordable undergraduate majors, eight graduate degrees, nine part-time evening programs, and six online degree-completion programs through its four colleges: the College of Education, Health, and Human Services; the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the College of Mathematics and Sciences, and the College of Graduate and Continuing Education. Popular low-cost majors include criminal justice and safety studies, liberal arts and humanities, business, psychology, and communications. Outside of the classroom, students may participate in more than 70 student organizations, clubs, and a passionate student government. The Center for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity (CURCA) allows students to expand their knowledge, explore their passions, and create a competitive portfolio of meaningful experiences and skills through professional development workshops, classroom activities, speaking engagements, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
In-State Tuition: $10,429
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,509
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 16:1
Graduation Rate: 65 percent
9. Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Points: 6
School Website
Bridgewater State University is the largest and one of the most economical universities by enrollment in the state outside of the University of Massachusetts System. One of the most affordable colleges in Massachusetts, it boasts an alumni network of more than 50,000 members, and it operates additional satellite locations in Attleboro and Cape Code. Established in 1840, BSU offers more than 90 inexpensive areas of study at the undergraduate level as well as more than 60 graduate degrees and licensure programs to 11,000 enrolled students. Popular majors at BSU include psychology, management sciences and information systems, criminal justice and safety studies, communications, physical education teaching and coaching, and English. Nontraditional and adult students seeking continuing studies enjoy scheduling flexibility through evening, weekend, and online courses.
In-State Tuition: $10,367
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,507
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
Graduation Rate: 59 percent
Featured Programs
8. Worcester State University
Worcester, Massachusetts
Points: 6
School Website
Established in 1874 as the Massachusetts State Normal School at Worcester, Worcester State University is an affordable accredited university in Massachusetts. With a dedicated, esteemed faculty, outstanding facilities, and nationally recognized programs, WSU combines career preparation and classroom learning to provide graduates with a real-world, powerful advantage. Class sizes are kept small, and studies extend into the community and beyond through community service, research projects, internships, and other hands-on experiences. Students can choose from 60 inexpensive undergraduate majors and minors, honors programs, and 4-Plus accelerated master’s degree options as well as 29 graduate programs and certificates with convenient evening schedules. Popular majors include business, psychology, criminal justice, biology, communications, nursing, and community health services and counseling. The campus is a whirl of cultural and social activities, including community-wide special events, fundraisers, NCAA Division III and intramural sports, speakers, live arts and music performances, and films, and students can get involved in more than 30 different academic, social, and cultural organizations and clubs.
In-State Tuition: $10,161
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,241
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 17:1
Graduation Rate: 55 percent
7. Lesley University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Points: 7
School Website
Lesley University, located in Cambridge, is a private, top-value university in Massachusetts. Established in 1909, Lesley enrolls 2,400 undergraduates and 4,500 graduates in its four colleges and schools: the College of Art & Design, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, the Graduate School of Education, and the Graduate School of Arts & Social Sciences. Lesley University confers low-cost degrees in in-demand fields such as art and design, business management, counseling and psychology, education, expressive therapies, humanities, social sciences, and science and mathematics. With an impressive 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio that allows for opportunities for students to receive one-on-one support from their professors as well as a respectable 60 percent graduation rate, Lesley University prepares students with the ethical judgment, understanding, skills, and knowledge they need to be catalysts who shape a more humane and just world.
In-State Tuition: $27,975
Out-of-State Tuition: $27,975
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
Graduation Rate: 60 percent
6. Boston Baptist College
Boston, Massachusetts
Points: 7
School Website
Established in 1976 and located in the quiet suburb of Hyde Park just minutes from historic downtown Boston, Boston Baptist College is the only evangelical college in the city. This low-cost college in Massachusetts provides affordable degrees in biblical counseling, church ministry, cross-cultural ministry, music ministry, pastoral ministry, and youth ministry. For those interested in careers outside of religious studies, BBC confers top degree programs in early childhood education, elementary education, and secondary education as well as professional studies in history and business. The school boasts an extraordinary 7:1 student-to-faculty ratio that allows students to develop lifelong relationships with their professors and other committed Christians who share their faith and purpose in life. Outside of the classroom, the Student Government Association creates, organizes, and implements intramural sports, concerts, on- and off-campus activities, community service projects, and trips into Boston and local areas.
In-State Tuition: $12,600
Out-of-State Tuition: $12,600
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 7:1
Graduation Rate: 58 percent
5. Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts
Points: 7
School Website
Established in 1854 as Salem Normal School, Salem State University is one of the most affordable colleges in Massachusetts. This best-value university enrolls 7,600 undergraduate and 1,600 graduate students from 59 countries. Approximately 90 percent of freshmen receive some type of financial aid, and all SSU undergraduates receive an education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences. The school is comprised of the College of Arts and Sciences, Bertolon School of Business, Maguire Meservey College of Health and Human Services, School of Education, School of Graduate Studies, and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies. Popular inexpensive majors at SSU include nursing, psychology, business, and social work as well as criminal justice, education, and biomedical science. SSU takes pride in its student life services, hosting more than 500 campus events each year.
In-State Tuition: $10,642
Out-of-State Tuition: $17,082
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate: 52 percent
4. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams, Massachusetts
Points: 7
School Website
Established in 1894 as North Adams Normal School, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts was initially developed for the education of teachers. Located in North Adams, this affordable accredited college in Massachusetts offers more than 80 inexpensive academic programs, including more than 50 areas of study at the undergraduate level. Whether a student is seeking a career in the arts, technology, the sciences, athletic training, business, or education, MCLA has a top degree program for everyone. The school also offers a number of accelerated and joint degree programs for students looking to pursue both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Beginning with orientation, MCLA provides resources such as intramural sports, leadership conferences, peer advisors, student government, and more than 50 various clubs and organizations.
In-State Tuition: $10,559
Out-of-State Tuition: $19,504
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 12:1
Graduation Rate: 54 percent
3. Framingham State University
Framingham, Massachusetts
Points: 7
School Website
Established in 1839, Framingham State University is situated on a traditional, picturesque New England campus in the innovative and rapidly growing MetroWest region of Massachusetts. At this best-value accredited university in Massachusetts, students can choose from 39 affordable undergraduate majors, more than 30 master’s degrees, and several certificate programs designed to help them reach their professional goals. Some of FSU’s most popular majors include business, psychology, sociology, the liberal arts and humanities and criminology as well as apparel and textile science and food, nutrition, and wellness studies. Outside of the classroom, the campus has much to offer, from the school’s art gallery and planetarium to its state-of-the-art dormitories and science laboratories. In addition, FSU supports many student organizations and clubs, including commuter services and student-run media, as well as a full calendar of on-campus events each year. The Princeton Review named Framingham a “Green College,” an honor given to just 27 schools in Massachusetts.
In-State Tuition: $10,520
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,600
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate: 54 percent
2. Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Points: 7
School Website
Fitchburg State University is one of the best and cheapest colleges in Massachusetts and enrolls nearly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. FSU operates 16 academic departments featuring more than 30 inexpensive undergraduate degrees and 22 graduate programs, and each department stresses the highest standards of societal, professional, and academic performance. Popular majors at FSU include business, nursing, cinematography and video production, and the liberal arts and humanities as well as exercise physiology, criminal justice, biology, and psychology. Through small classes and a personalized approach, FSU faculty members provide encouragement and support along with endless opportunities for learning inside and outside of the classroom. Students may join more than 60 recognized student organizations, including intramural sports teams, a radio station, a newspaper, political associations, and humanitarian groups. In addition, the Volunteer Center encourages FSU students to join forces with local community organizations and charities to help others, while CenterStage Art hosts lectures and art galleries each year.
In-State Tuition: $10,354
Out-of-State Tuition: $16,434
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 14:1
Graduation Rate: 60 percent
1. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts
Points: 7
School Website
Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the best affordable college in Massachusetts. Located in Buzzards Bay, it offers inexpensive bachelor’s programs in maritime-related fields as well as graduate programs and professional studies. Established in 1891 to graduate engineering and deck officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine, MMA is the second-oldest state maritime academy in the nation. Affordable undergraduate degrees are available in hot fields such as energy systems engineering, facilities engineering, marine engineering, emergency management, marine safety and environmental protection, international maritime business, and marine transportation. Though the school is structured as a regimented academy, only cadets who volunteer for commissioning programs are required to join the military after graduation. All cadets are encouraged to participate in a variety of athletics and activities, and an impressive 40 percent of cadets are on one or more of the school’s competitive NCAA and EDAC Division III college teams.
In-State Tuition: $9,728
Out-of-State Tuition: $26,106
Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Graduation Rate: 75 percent
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Most In-Demand Careers in Massachusetts for Graduates with a Bachelor’s Degree?
Whether you are thinking about switching careers or you are just beginning to think about a professional path to follow, it is good practice to understand the economy and labor market of the state in which you intend to study. According to the official website of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD), the following are the top 10 most in-demand careers in Massachusetts for students who hold a bachelor’s degree as well as the number of job openings expected between 2016 and 2026.
The projections are based on a new separations methodology that was developed with the goal of capturing a more accurate picture of the workforce by giving the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the ability to differentiate between workers who exit a particular occupation and leave the workforce and those who transfer to another industry but remain employed. The annual openings listed below are the sum of the transfers plus exits plus the projected net change.
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- General and Operations Managers: 7,321 openings
- Registered Nurses: 5,510
- Accountants and Auditors: 3,691
- Management Analysts: 2,948
- Software Developers, Applications: 2,818
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists: 2,718
- Financial Managers: 2,603
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education: 2,322
- Sales Representatives: 2,113
- Software Developers, Systems Software: 2,084
What are the Highest-Paying Jobs in Massachusetts?
Whether you are looking for the highest-paying industry or you already know the field in which you would like to work and you are curious about how much money you would make, knowing the top-paying occupations in the state can be helpful when it comes to choosing a degree from one of the affordable colleges in Massachusetts. To get the most up-to-date information, we turned to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, who calculated wage and employment estimates using data collected from all employers in nonmetropolitan and metropolitan areas throughout the state. According to the BLS, the annual mean wage across all occupations was $63,910 as of May 2018, the most recent data available. The top five highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts were:
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- Orthodontists: $282,740
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists: $254,530
- Internists, General: $246,240
- Surgeons: $242,790
- Chief Executives: $221,810
However, we wanted to provide information useful for new college graduates seeking employment with only a bachelor’s degree. While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum education required for many jobs, regardless of industry, some careers such as the ones listed above require graduate education. Although managerial in nature, the following occupations are the top 10 highest-paying jobs in Massachusetts that one can pursue with either an undergraduate degree alone or with a bachelor’s and additional training and/or experience.
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- Natural Sciences Managers: $183,490
- Computer and Information Systems Managers: $156,620
- Architectural and Engineering Managers: $156,250
- Sales Managers: $151,010
- Financial Managers: $148,300
- Marketing Managers: $143,400
- Human Resources Managers: $140,640
- General and Operations Managers: $135,820
- Medical and Health Services Managers: $133,900
- Advertising and Promotions Managers: $132,270
What are the Best Schools in Massachusetts for Bachelor’s Recipients?
Massachusetts is a small state, but it is well known for a number of high-quality, affordable schools. When narrowing down the possibilities from one of the most affordable colleges in Massachusetts, it is important to not only think about the cost of tuition and academic offerings but also your return on investment. Below, we have created a list of five top colleges we discussed above and provided salary information for early career pay, mid-career pay, and the 20-year net return on investment for each school, or the amount a graduate can expect to earn 20 years after receiving a bachelor’s degree, according to PayScale. We ranked these schools in order from the highest ROI to the lowest ROI for on-campus, in-state programs completed without a financial aid package.
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- 1. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
– 20-Year Net ROI: $783,000
– Early Career Pay: $67,200
– Mid-Career Pay: $114,600
- 1. Massachusetts Maritime Academy
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- 2. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
– 20-Year Net ROI: $573,000
– Early Career Pay: $57,400
– Mid-Career Pay: $107,300
- 2. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
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- 3. University of Massachusetts-Amherst
– 20-Year Net ROI: $434,000
– Early Career Pay: $55,800
– Mid-Career Pay: $102,000
- 3. University of Massachusetts-Amherst
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- 4. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
– 20-Year Net ROI: $351,000
– Early Career Pay: $52,100
– Mid-Career Pay: $93,000
- 4. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
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- 5. Eastern Nazarene College
– 20-Year Net ROI: $334,000
– Early Career Pay: $47,900
– Mid-Career Pay: $86,800
- 5. Eastern Nazarene College
Despite its small size, there are many affordable colleges in Massachusetts. In fact, in the 48 square miles of Boston, you will find 30 colleges. Among the state’s most notable schools in terms of financial investment include the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, with its attractive $783,000 ROI, and the University of Massachusetts System, with three top-ranking locations in Lowell, Amherst, and Dartmouth. Whether you are looking to enter one of Massachusetts’ in-demand industries such as renewable energy, manufacturing, information technology, finance, or defense, or you are simply looking to learn more about the academic offerings available to you at different schools across the state, we hope that our list of the best affordable colleges in Massachusetts for bachelor’s degrees serves as a helpful starting point.
AS Staff
This concludes our ranking of the 20 best affordable colleges in Massachusetts for bachelor’s degrees.
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