The Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
Are you ready to discover your college program?
Massachusetts’s online colleges offer degree programs that suit the needs and goals of learners of all backgrounds.
Massachusetts is an especially fruitful place to pursue education and professional training. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates a strong correlation between education and employment opportunities, and the Bay State consistently outperforms other states in these areas.
As virtual learning continues to grow in popularity, many schools in Massachusetts have expanded online offerings that allow students to earn degrees in a flexible, convenient format. This guide explores common questions related to earning an online degree in Massachusetts, including a ranked list of the best options for prospective degree-seekers. We consider prominent degree types offered by these schools, along with their delivery methods.
Read on to learn more about the best online colleges in Massachusetts and how they can help you pursue your dream career.
The Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,791
- Out-of-state$35,112
- In-State$14,014
- Out-of-state$29,529
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate64%
- Students Enrolled31,350
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment15%
- AccreditationYes
Northeastern University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$52,420
- Out-of-state$52,420
- In-State$24,793
- Out-of-state$24,793
- Retention Rate99%
- Acceptance Rate18%
- Students Enrolled22,207
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Boston University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled33,720
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Harvard University
- Cambridge, MA
- 4 year
- Campus
- In-State$47,730
- Out-of-state$47,730
- In-State$48,008
- Out-of-state$48,008
- Retention Rate97%
- Acceptance Rate5%
- Students Enrolled31,655
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment18%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Lowell, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,078
- Out-of-state$33,004
- In-State$14,590
- Out-of-state$26,370
- Retention Rate83%
- Acceptance Rate73%
- Students Enrolled18,352
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment32%
- AccreditationYes
Bay Path University
- Longmeadow, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,081
- Out-of-state$35,081
- In-State$14,670
- Out-of-state$14,670
- Retention Rate68%
- Acceptance Rate72%
- Students Enrolled3,324
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment62%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- North Dartmouth, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$13,833
- Out-of-state$29,578
- In-State$16,390
- Out-of-state$29,578
- Retention Rate70%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled8,154
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
University of Massachusetts Boston
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$14,187
- Out-of-state$34,649
- In-State$18,433
- Out-of-state$35,980
- Retention Rate75%
- Acceptance Rate76%
- Students Enrolled15,989
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment33%
- AccreditationYes
Lesley University
- Cambridge, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$28,500
- Out-of-state$28,500
- In-State$18,540
- Out-of-state$18,540
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate75%
- Students Enrolled4,510
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment20%
- AccreditationYes
Bentley University
- Waltham, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$50,060
- Out-of-state$50,060
- In-State$38,400
- Out-of-state$38,400
- Retention Rate92%
- Acceptance Rate47%
- Students Enrolled5,314
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment2%
- AccreditationYes
Endicott College
- Beverly, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$33,304
- Out-of-state$33,304
- In-State$12,555
- Out-of-state$12,555
- Retention Rate86%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled4,741
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Fisher College
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$30,997
- Out-of-state$30,997
- In-State$25,872
- Out-of-state$25,872
- Retention Rate62%
- Acceptance Rate69%
- Students Enrolled1,628
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment61%
- AccreditationYes
Westfield State University
- Westfield, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$970
- Out-of-state$7,050
- In-State$1,890
- Out-of-state$1,890
- Retention Rate72%
- Acceptance Rate87%
- Students Enrolled5,795
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
Lasell University
- Newton, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$35,700
- Out-of-state$35,700
- In-State$10,800
- Out-of-state$10,800
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate84%
- Students Enrolled2,041
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment31%
- AccreditationYes
Assumption College
- Worcester, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$41,516
- Out-of-state$41,516
- In-State$12,690
- Out-of-state$12,690
- Retention Rate84%
- Acceptance Rate81%
- Students Enrolled2,443
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment9%
- AccreditationYes
Fitchburg State University
- Fitchburg, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$970
- Out-of-state$7,050
- In-State$3,186
- Out-of-state$3,186
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate88%
- Students Enrolled7,251
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment37%
- AccreditationYes
Framingham State University
- Framingham, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$970
- Out-of-state$7,050
- In-State$1,680
- Out-of-state$7,050
- Retention Rate74%
- Acceptance Rate74%
- Students Enrolled5,456
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment35%
- AccreditationYes
Brandeis University
- Waltham, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$55,340
- Out-of-state$55,340
- In-State$51,940
- Out-of-state$51,940
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate30%
- Students Enrolled5,825
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment7%
- AccreditationYes
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Worcester, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$51,604
- Out-of-state$51,604
- In-State$28,188
- Out-of-state$28,188
- Retention Rate95%
- Acceptance Rate49%
- Students Enrolled6,894
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment14%
- AccreditationYes
Nichols College
- Dudley, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$34,615
- Out-of-state$34,615
- In-State$738
- Out-of-state$738
- Retention Rate76%
- Acceptance Rate80%
- Students Enrolled1,560
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
Best Online Colleges
Massachusetts
2021
Online Colleges in Massachusetts Ranking Guidelines
We selected the online schools in Massachusetts based on the quality of their programs, types of courses and degrees offered, and faculty strengths, as well as school awards, rankings, and reputation, including a strong reputation for online degree programs.
Employment in Massachusetts
The overall unemployment rate in Massachusetts rests at 9.6% as of September 2020. According to BLS data, the annual mean wage for all workers in the state is $65,680. Meanwhile, the cost of living index is 127.2, compared to the U.S. average for all states, which is 100. This means Massachusetts residents have higher living expenses than residents of most states.
To help you identify good career options, we’ve curated the fastest-growing, highest-paying roles employing more than 15,000 people in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. At the time of publication, many of the most highly-compensated roles were not projected to see an increase in employment opportunities in Massachusetts between 2018 and 2028, so many of them were left off the list.
Most of the listed professions correlate with major industries in Massachusetts, as reported by the BLS New England Information Office. These industries include construction and manufacturing, finance, trade and transportation, information, and health or education services. Many of the best online colleges in Massachusetts offer programs in these areas.
| Careers | Salary | Projected Job Growth (2018-2028) |
|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $159,180 | 9.4% |
| Financial Managers | $153,650 | 13.1% |
| Marketing Managers | $144,000 | 6.8% |
| General and Operations Managers | $137,870 | 5.6% |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $132,960 | 9.5% |
| Management Analysts | $110,390 | 10.9% |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $106,610 | 5.3% |
This list of the fastest-growing careers only includes roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
| Careers | Salary | Projected Job Growth (2018-2028) |
|---|---|---|
| Statisticians | $119,620 | 31.3% |
| Information Security Analysts | $106,550 | 29.1% |
| Operations Research Analysts | $90,960 | 23.9% |
| Software Developers, Applications | $115,270 | 23.4% |
| Respiratory Therapists | $74,280 | 21% |
Online Associate and Graduate Degrees
Colleges and universities offer many educational pathways to meet the needs of aspiring professionals, including those interested in earning online degrees in Massachusetts.
Distance learners usually choose to pursue an online learning model because of personal preference, existing work schedules, or the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Many of the best online colleges in Massachusetts offer expanded distance learning options to accommodate more degree-seekers. Learners with previous academic experience can easily transfer their credits to most online colleges and universities, reducing their time to degree completion.
Online programs use delivery methods that offer added flexibility for students. For example, learners with full schedules may find asynchronous delivery — courses that are accessible anytime, from anywhere — more useful, while others prefer programs with structured, synchronous sessions.
Online learners in Massachusetts have access to many majors and areas of study. For example, those interested in pursuing a two-year course of study can earn associate degrees in business, information technology, or the liberal arts, among others.
Graduate students enjoy similar offerings: Available specializations include business administration, cybersecurity and information assurance, and applied behavior analysis.
