Massachusetts has a well-earned place as the country’s “smartest state.” Students considering attending college in this state can use our list of “Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts” to explore the state’s best colleges, available planning programs, and financial aid packages, and more.
Massachusetts has some of the oldest colleges and universities in the country, both public and private, many of them having religious affiliations. The MA state offers 114 colleges and universities.
Start the search for your future education right away! Explore the best public colleges in our list below to get an idea if any match for you. Good luck!!
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Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Massachusetts College of Art and Design is one of the oldest art schools, the only publicly funded free-standing art school in the United States. MassArt offers a number of pre-college (both credit and non-credit) programs for high school students, and continuing education and certificate programs for professional and non-professional artists. MassArt’s undergraduate curriculum includes a Foundation Program for the first year, which provides compulsory exposure to the basics of 2D and 3D art and design.
Founded In: 1873
Ranking: 1st
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 11,725 USD, Out-of-state 31,225 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 617.879.7000
Website: https://massart.edu/
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Community College is a co-educational public institution of higher education offering Associate Degrees and certificate programs. RCC offers associate degrees in arts, and sciences, as well as certificates. With over 300 programs of study, the post-secondary education offered at Roxbury Community College helps students to foster developmental academic skills through career and transfer programs, workforce development, and private and public sector training.
Founded In: 1873
Ranking: 2nd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 3,984 USD, Out-of-state 10,104 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (617) 427-0060
Website: http://rcc.mass.edu/
University of Massachusetts Boston
The University of Massachusetts Boston is an urban public research university. The university confers bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees, and also operates certificate programs and a corporate, continuing, and distance learning program. UMass Boston provides challenging teaching, distinguished research, and extensive service in response to the needs of Massachusetts’ urban areas. UMass Boston’s faculty of 1,243 consists of 182 tenure-track and 210 non-tenure-track professors
Founded In: 1852
Ranking: 3rd
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 12,682 USD, Out-of-state 29,920 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 617.287.5000
Website: https://www.umb.edu/
Bunker Hill Community College
BHCC is one of the most diverse institutions of higher education in Massachusetts. BHCC provides higher education and job training services at two campuses and three satellite locations and is the largest community college in Massachusetts. Bunker Hill Community College offers numerous programs of study that lead to Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees, Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees and certificates. All programs of study include courses from three required areas: general education requirements, career and/or liberal arts electives and program requirements.
Founded In: 1973
Ranking: 4th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: $16,588
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 617-228-2101
Website: https://www.bhcc.edu/
Quincy College
Quincy College is an open admission commuter school that offers associate’s degrees and certificate programs in professional fields of study. The college confers 37 Associate degrees and 25 certificates of completion in a wide variety of studies. Quincy College operates an articulation agreement with Cambridge College for four-year baccalaureate degrees and with Excelsior College for online learning.
Founded In: 1958
Ranking: 5th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 5,524 USD, Out-of-state 5,524 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: +1 800-698-1700
Website: https://quincycollege.edu/
Massachusetts Bay Community College
MassBay Community College is a place that changes lives. MassBay offers more than 70 degree and certificate programs, aimed at helping students transfer to a four-year college or university or towards direct placement into a career. The College currently serves more than 8,000 students who take classes at one or more of the three locations or online. It also offers associate degrees and certificate programs that provide students with the top-notch education to prepare them for transfer to accredited bachelor’s degree programs or direct entry into high-demand career fields.
Founded In: 1961
Ranking: 6th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 4,496 USD, Out-of-state 9,440 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: (781) 239-3000
Website: http://www.massbay.edu/
Salem State University
Salem State enrolled 7,664 undergraduate and 1,637 graduates, full- and part-time students, from 27 states and 57 foreign countries. Salem State offers 32 undergraduate degree programs in the liberal arts, human services, and business, along with graduate programs that provide degrees in 24 fields and a continuing education division that offers both credit and non-credit programs.
Founded In: 1854
Ranking: 7th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 9,246 USD, Out-of-state 15,508 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 1 978-542-6000
Website: https://www.salemstate.edu/
Framingham State University
Framingham State University is committed to providing equal access to employment and educational opportunities for otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. It offers undergraduate programs in a range of subjects, including art, biology, and communication arts, and graduate programs, including MBA, MEd, and MS. There are many services and support resources available to their community.
Founded In: 1839
Ranking: 8th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 8,700 USD, Out-of-state 14,780 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 508-620-1220
Website: https://www.framingham.edu/
Massasoit Community College
Massasoit is one of the largest of the 15 community colleges within the Massachusetts Public Higher Education system. Massasoit Community College offers associate degree programs in arts, sciences, and applied sciences, and one-year and short-term certificates for a range of occupations and interests. Massasoit offers associate degree programs in 18 majors, including occupation-specific programs and liberal arts.
Founded In: 1966
Ranking: 9th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 4,488 USD, Out-of-state 9,432 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 508-588-9100
Website: https://www.massasoit.edu/
Middlesex Community College
Founded in 1970, Middlesex Community College has grown to become one of the largest community colleges in Massachusetts. Middlesex offers students of all ages and stages a host of options for continuing their education. MCC has a total annual enrollment of more than 13,000 credit students and 7,000 noncredit students. Middlesex Community College offers 57 associate degree programs and 25 certificate programs, as well as many short-term, highly focused programs in selected career fields. Students can take classes during the day, evening, on weekends, and online. MCC students can now complete selected bachelor’s degree programs at the college offered in conjunction with Massachusetts state colleges.
Founded In: 1970
Ranking: 10th
Tuition & Fees Approximately: In-state 4,514 USD, Out-of-state 9,458 USD
Finance and Admission Office Contact: 1-800-818-3434
Website: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/
