The Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts

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 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.

This list of the fastest-growing careers only includes roles employing more than 1,000 individuals in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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.