Are you in the market for affordable online colleges in Massachusetts? Well, Affordable Schools is the right place to look. Our website has ranked the 10 best cheap online Massachusetts colleges available on your computer screen.
First settled by Mayflower passengers in 1620, Massachusetts is New England’s most populous state with a long storied history in higher education. Harvard University has stood in Cambridge since 1636 as the oldest collegiate institution nationwide. In 1837, Massachusetts chartered the country’s first women’s college called the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary. The “Old Colony State” on the Massachusetts Bay now has 121 post-secondary institutions. The more than 6.9 million residents of Massachusetts can access many top-ranked choices like Boston College, Amherst College, Northeastern University, Clark University, and Emmanuel College. Currently, Boston University is the largest with 35,472 students from 180 countries and research funding of $579.4 million. From Springfield to Suffolk, Massachusetts has higher learning opportunities online, on-campus, or in hybrid formats for everyone.
According to the U.S. News & World Report, Massachusetts is the #1 best state for education. The Lumina Foundation says that 55.2% of Massachusetts adults age 25 or older have college degrees. Massachusetts residents earn an above-average household income of $77,385. Yet, paying rising higher education costs still isn’t easy for most. Massachusetts has the third-highest median net college price of $24,045. Mean tuition rates are $28,889 in-state and $31,270 out-of-state. Fifty percent of institutions have even bigger expenses. For example, Bard College at Simon’s Rock is charging $55,292 for 2019-20. Williams College presently has an annual tuition of $56,970. Don’t let sticker shock hold you back from post-secondary goals though. Many Massachusetts universities require less money and provide helpful financial aid. Let’s search for affordable online schools in Massachusetts that won’t break the bank.
Methodology
To arrive at our list of the 10 most affordable online schools in the Bay State, the AS Staff used the U.S. Department of Education’s College Navigator tool to locate cheap online Massachusetts colleges. We input search criteria for senior four-year public and private MA schools. We checked the box for distance education to make certain some programs are accessible fully online. Our results turned up 31 options for non-traditional online studies. Then, we checked all 31 for regional accreditation from the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). Unaccredited colleges were immediately removed to ensure quality teaching, financial aid eligibility, and credit transfers. Finally, we recorded the average in-state undergraduate tuition. The National Center for Education Statistics calculates this rate for full-time students taking 12+ credits per year. We kept only the 10 cheapest colleges with the lowest attendance costs to further research. The following article highlights the most affordable online colleges in Massachusetts that are billing under $32,000 annually.
Ranking Low-Cost Online Massachusetts Colleges
10. Fisher College
Boston, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $31,384
Conferred a 2016 OLC Digital Learning Innovation Award, Fisher College is a private, nonprofit “Military Friendly” IACBE member led by President Alan Ray that’s endowed for $34.6 million to teach 1,034 Falcons from 34 states and 43 nations with a rolling admission rate of 70 percent. Three academic divisions maintain a 17:1 student-faculty ratio online, on its four-acre Back Bay campus along the Charles River, and at three Massachusetts extensions. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Fisher College Boston the #1 top social mobility performer in the Northeast. On Niche, Fisher boasts America’s 56th best location. Money magazine labeled Fisher the 494th top value for below-average student debt of $20,000. Fisher College begins our list’s 10 most affordable online colleges in Massachusetts with a $31,384 annual tuition total. Since Fall 1998, the School of Graduate & Professional Studies has utilized Blackboard Learn to start accelerated, eight-week online sessions six times yearly. Fisher Online students can pursue NECHE-accredited education in six associate, 17 bachelor’s, and four master’s programs, such as the:
- Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education
- Associate of Science in Health Information Technology
- Associate of Science in General Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Game Development
- Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Business Administration in Strategic Leadership
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology
9. Hebrew College
Newton Centre, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $28,800
Home to a 2018 Jeducation World Pomegranate Prize recipient, Hebrew College is a private, nonprofit Jewish BTI affiliate headed by Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld with a $10.6 million budget to employ 63 faculty serving 182 students from 30 states at an impressive 3:1 ratio. Three NECHE-accredited schools are available online or at the seven-acre, 72,000-square-foot Newton Centre campus designed by Moshe Safdie & Associates with 59 percent graduation. Hillel International’s College Guide magazine ranked Hebrew College in the top 60 Jewish schools. College Factual placed Hebrew 63rd for religious education and 149th for theological studies. Great Value Colleges named Hebrew the 29th best school founded in Judaism. Hebrew College is our website’s ninth best cheap Massachusetts online college with a $28,800 annual tuition rate. On Me’ah Online, the Shoolman Graduate School of Jewish Education offers 2.5-year virtual master’s degrees to apply Torah writings in two supervised field experiences. Prospective post-grads with minimum 3.0 GPAs can apply until May 15th or November 15th for five online options:
- Master of Jewish Education in Jewish Special Education
- Master of Jewish Education in Jewish Experiential Education
- Master of Jewish Education in Early Childhood Jewish Education
- Master of Jewish Education in Interfaith Families Jewish Engagement
- Dual Master of Jewish Education and Master of Arts in Jewish Studies
8. Lesley University
Cambridge, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $27,975
Granted a 2018 CASE District I Silver Circle of Excellence Award, Lesley University is a private, nonprofit NC-SARA participant that’s endowed for $188.8 million under President Janet L. Steinmayer to instruct 2,381 undergrad and 4,322 post-grad Lynx from 50 countries. Four NECHE-accredited Lesley schools report average 80 percent retention online, on its 13-acre Porter Square campus, and at two nearby Cambridge centers with a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Lesley University 131st for fine arts education and 90th for social mobility. On Niche, Lesley has America’s 79th most liberal academics. Washington Monthly crowned Lesley the 150th best master’s institution and 380th top Northeast value. Lesley University is Affordable Schools’ eighth best low-cost Massachusetts college online with average attendance costs of $27,975. On Blackboard, Lesley Online delivers 100+ three-credit, eight-week courses with free Brainfuse tutoring and Center for Academic Achievement resources. Online students select from six bachelor’s, six master’s, and eight certificate programs, including the:
- Bachelor of Science in Design for User Experience
- Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Humanities
- Bachelor of Science in Human Services
- Bachelor of Arts in Counseling and Psychology
- Master of Science in Business Management
- Master of Education in Language and Literacy
- Master of Education in Elementary Education Generalist
- Master of Education in Mathematics Education
- Graphic Design Certificate
- Autism Spectrum Disorder Certificate
7. Bay State College
Boston, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $22,320
Presented the 2011 APSCU Community Service Excellence Award, Bay State College is a private, for-profit Back Bay school that’s managed by President Mark DeFusco and owned by Ambow Education Holding Ltd. with $40.3 million total revenue to teach approximately 800. Learners submit $50 applications anytime for 44 percent acceptance into two divisions available online, on its Saint James Avenue campus, and at the Taunton location with a 12:1 student-teacher ratio. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Bay State the North’s 34th top social mobility performer and 46th best school. College Factual placed BSC 227th for ethnic diversity and 219th for business education. Bay State made Victory Media’s 2016 “Military Friendly” schools list. Bay State College stands seventh among the AS Staff’s best affordable online colleges in Massachusetts with $22,320 average pricing. Founded in 2004, the Evening & Distance Education Division logs into Moodle for eight-week, NECHE-accredited courses online with financial aid like the Part-Time Grant. Online BSC students can pursue two associate and nine bachelor’s degrees, such as the:
- Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
- Associate of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Digital Forensics and Cyber Security
- Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management
- Bachelor of Science in Finance
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Digital Marketing
- Bachelor of Science in Domestic and International Security
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management
- Bachelor of Science in Management
6. University of Massachusetts
Shrewsbury, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $15,887
Granted a 2017 NACUFS Silver Sustainability Outreach and Education Award, the University of Massachusetts is a public, statewide system worth $3.4 billion that’s overseen by President Marty Meehan to teach 74,572 Minutemen/women from 140 countries at a 16:1 student-faculty ratio. UMass has produced more than 500,000 alumni online or at the Amherst, Boston, Dartmouth, and Lowell campuses plus the Springfield Center with 91 percent retention. The U.S. News & World Report named UMass the 64th best university and 107th top value. The Center for World University Rankings placed UMass 184th globally. The Princeton Review declared UMass the 30th greenest eco-friendly college. The University of Massachusetts came in sixth among our cheap online schools with a $15,887 annual in-state cost. On Moodle, UMass Online has designed 1,500+ for-credit, NECHE-accredited Web courses based on Sloan Consortium standards with Student Success Center services since 2001. Online UMass learners can flexibly complete three associate, 52 bachelor’s, 51 master’s, and four doctoral degrees like the:
- Associate of Science in Sustainable Food and Farming
- Bachelor of Arts in Advocacy and Social Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
- Bachelor of Arts in Children’s Learning and Development
- Bachelor of Science in Operations Management
- Master of Arts in International Security
- Master of Science in Clinical Nurse Leadership
- Master of Education in Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
- Master of Science in Business Analytics
- Doctor of Education in Leadership in Schooling
5. New England College of Business and Finance
Boston, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $12,120
Chosen for the 2017 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Technology Award, the New England College of Business and Finance is a private, for-profit USDLA member administered by President Howard Horton that’s educating 1,053 undergrads and 184 post-grads with 50 percent retention. Headquartered in Boston, the 2019 LEAD Award winner has 128 faculty teaching exclusively online on Canvas with Center for Professional & Executive Development resources. The U.S. News & World Report ranked NECB 60th for graduate business and 93rd for bachelor’s education online. College Factual placed NECB 294th for international business and 286th for management degrees. PayScale calculated a median mid-career salary of $68,200 for NECB graduates. The New England College of Business and Finance is our fifth best cheap online college in Massachusetts charging $12,120 on average. Since Fall 2009, the New England College has accepted $50 applications anytime to enter in-demand, eight-week online courses with NECHE accreditation. Online NECB students pick from 11 associate, 15 bachelor’s, and 18 graduate programs, including the:
- Associate of Science in Business Administration
- Associate of Science in Accounting
- Bachelor of Science in Digital Marketing
- Bachelor of Science in International Business
- Master of Healthcare Management
- Master of Science in Global Finance Trading
- Master of Science in Business Ethics and Compliance
- Master of Human Resource Management
- Master of Science n Risk Management and Insurance
- Doctor of Business Administration in Quality Systems Management
4. Salem State University
Salem, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $10,642
Given the 2015 CASE District I Distinguished Friend of Education Award, Salem State University is a public, coed AASCU member directed by President John Keenan that’s endowed for $24.5 million to teach 6,811 undergrad and 1,527 post-grad Vikings from 56 countries. Six NECHE-accredited Salem schools are available online and on its 115-acre, six-part North Shore campus 15 miles outside Boston with an 85 percent acceptance rate. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Salem State the 40th top public school and 61st best social mobility performer in the North. On Niche, SSU has America’s 445th most conservative students and 489th best location. Money magazine crowned SSU the 374th best value. Salem State University finished fourth among our low-cost Massachusetts online colleges with $10,642 average tuition. On Canvas, the School of Continuing & Professional Studies has fast eight- or traditional 16-week formats for hundreds of 24/7 online courses and Enterprise Center certificates. Online pupils with cumulative GPAs above 2.0 can complete these three bachelor’s and three master’s programs entirely:
- Bachelor of Science in Fire Science Administration
- Bachelor of Liberal Studies in Intercultural Communications
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
- Master of Arts in English
3. Framingham State University
Framingham, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $10,520
Honored with a 2019 Insight Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence Award, Framingham State University is a public, four-year MASCAC member led by President F. Javier Cevallos that’s endowed for $41.8 million to enroll 3,857 undergrad and 1,599 post-grad Rams at a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. Framingham has five NECHE-accredited colleges available online or on its 73-acre, LEED-certified Middlesex County campus with 74 percent retention. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Framingham State 149th for nursing education and 92nd for social mobility performance. On Niche, FSU boasts America’s 171st most liberal academics. WalletHub placed Framingham 171st for student experience and 245th for career outcomes. Framingham State University is the AS Staff’s third best affordable online Massachusetts college with $10,520 in-state tuition yearly. Certified by Quality Matters in Spring 2011, the Continuing Education Department uses Blackboard Collaborate to provide eight- or 16-week online classes anywhere. Framingham students choose from nine online and four hybrid programs like the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
- Master of Business Administration in Management
- Master of Education in Educational Technology
- Master of Science in Merchandising
- Master of Education in School Nutrition Specialist
- Master of Science in Nursing Leadership
- Master of Education in STEM Education
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction
- Master of Business Administration in Finance
- Graduate Certificate in Instructional Technology Proficiency
2. Westfield State University
Westfield, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $10,429
Selected for the 2018 Manuel Carballo Governor’s Award for Excellence, Westfield State University is a diverse public, coed AASCU member that’s endowed for $9.3 million under President Ramon Torrecilha to selectively admit 6,400 Owls with an average 3.01 GPA and 1040 SAT score. Four Westfield colleges are accessible online or on its 256-acre Springfield Metro campus in New England’s “Knowledge Corridor” at a 15:1 student-faculty ratio. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Westfield State 49th for online bachelor’s degrees and 100th for social mobility performance. Money magazine named Westfield the 187th top national value. College Factual placed Westfield 281st for history, 128th for liberal arts, and 58th for law enforcement degrees. Westfield State University is Affordable Schools’ second best cheap online Massachusetts school with a $10,429 in-state average. On Plato, the College of Graduate & Continuing Education delivers 200+ NECHE-accredited online courses in speedy 7.5-week or regular 15-week sessions. Online Westfield pupils with 60+ previous credits can finish eight undergrad and two master’s majors:
- Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts in History
- RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Hybrid Master of Science in Accounting
- Hybrid Master of Social Work
1. Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA
Average In-State Tuition: $10,354
Proclaimed a 2013 Blackboard Exemplary Online Course Award finalist, Fitchburg State University is a public, civic-engaged NEFC member overseen by President Richard Lapidus that generates a $137 million economic impact by training 4,202 undergrad and 3,367 post-grad Falcons. Four FSU schools achieve a 75 percent retention rate online, on its 48-building Worcester County campus, and at three local extensions with a 14:1 student-faculty ratio. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Fitchburg State 242nd for online bachelor’s and 299th for graduate online education programs. Money magazine labeled FSU the 199th top value with $23,250 average debt. Washington Monthly chose Fitchburg 177th in the Northeast. Fitchburg State University reached our #1 spot among affordable online Massachusetts colleges with $10,354 in-state tuition. Every seven weeks, the Continuing Education & Professional Development Department starts adult online cohorts on Blackboard for 24/7 studies. Online Fitchburg students can fully complete six bachelor’s and nine master’s NECHE-accredited degrees, including the:
- Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Bachelor of Science in Marketing
- Bachelor of Arts in Humanities
- Master of Science in Forensic Nursing
- Master of Education in Educational Leadership
- Master of Science in Applied Communication
- Master of Business Administration in Accounting
- Master of Arts in History
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching
The U.S. News & World Report found that Massachusetts students have average loan debt of $32,065 at graduation. Nonetheless, the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center states that college-educated workers earn 99 percent more than those with a high school diploma. Four or more years in higher education can double your income potential. Bachelor’s and advanced degrees prepare you for management occupations where the Bureau of Labor Statistics records $133,910 average annual pay. Putting enough bucks together to afford the tuition investment upfront doesn’t have to be hard either. The Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance runs many funding programs. For instance, the MASS Grant assists full-time, in-state undergrads with an expected family contribution of $0-$5,486. The Senator Paul Tsongas Scholarship waives tuition at nine Massachusetts colleges for individuals with minimum 3.75 GPAs and 1200 SAT scores. Additional offerings include the Early Childhood Educators Scholarship, Christian A. Herter Memorial Scholarship, Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship, High Demand Scholarship, John & Abigail Adams Scholarship, One Family Inc. Scholarship, Paraprofessional Teacher Preparation Grant, and Foster Child Grant. Apply for these resources to further reduce out-of-pocket costs at cheap Massachusetts online colleges.
AS Staff
January 2020
This concludes our list of the 10 most affordable online colleges in Massachusetts for 2020.
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