The National Center for Education Statistics revealed that 502,723 students were enrolled in Massachusetts universities and colleges, both online and on-campus, in 2016. While the figures do not entirely paint a negative picture of the state of college education in the state, a slight drop in the enrollment rate was reported in 2013 due to the skyrocketing tuition rates.
According to the Online Learning Survey of Massachusetts, around 17.1% of current in-state students take at least one online course. Though this figure accounts for less than 30% of American students who participate in distance education, the number of online students in the state has increased to 23% in the past years. Students have progressively sought flexible course structures, enabling them to handle personal responsibilities, strive to excel academically, and explore their career goals.
Online academic institutions in Massachusetts have credit and non-credit programs, which range from associate to doctoral levels and professional development opportunities. These online programs are ideal for adult students who juggle their personal obligations and career and seek to obtain a degree or attain academic advancement.
The state’s online degree programs include part-time classes delivered in an asynchronous format. Some courses integrate an accelerated degree completion set-up, allowing students to complete their online degrees faster than they would in traditional schools. Partnerships between the universities and community colleges make for fast and easy credit transfers.
METHODOLOGY
The State of Massachusetts is home to online college programs offered by top-notch institutions, but not all such online schools are created equal! To help prospective students in their search for the most suitable distance learning program for degree completion, the staff and writers at OnlineSchoolsCenter.com present the 5 Top Online Schools in Massachusetts. Here are the factors we considered in completing our list:
- Rigorous coursework that rivals brick-and-mortar programs,
- Feature-packed virtual learning platform that offers easy access to the student’s online coursework and technical support,
- A faculty of professionals who are considered experts in their field,
- Accreditation from academic organizations.
Find out more about our ranking process by checking out our Methodology Page.
Northeastern University Global Network
Northeastern University Global Network has a total population of 25,000 students yearly. Founded in 1898, the university has about 125 degree programs in 65 academic departments. The university also has a study abroad program catering to countries like South Africa, Japan, Antarctica, and France. The university also holds one of the most extensive internships in the entire world. The global network of this academic institution delivers online certificates and degree programs through Blackboard. Online resources include online tutorials in biology, business, chemistry, reading, math, and writing. The online library is accessible through live chat 24/7.
Online students may pay lower tuition rates compared to on-campus students according to degree level and program type. Students may also acquire financial support through Torch Scholars awards designed for students with exceptional needs and city scholarships. Northeastern University ensures that there will be no reduction for student scholarship packages for the bachelor’s program. Aside from this, if tuition increases, the university provides that all students’ grants will increase at the same percentage rate.
Northeastern University has about ten online bachelor’s programs in fields like professional communication, political science, liberal studies, information technology, health management, finance, and accounting management. Northeastern University also has about 38 master’s and two online doctoral programs. Education students may pursue degree programs such as e-Learning and instructional design, learning analytics, and special education. Graduate programs include applied nutrition, engineering management, and business administration. Since the entire program is composed of 43 to 46 credits, the online Master of Science in Urban Informatics provides multidisciplinary training for students to be prepared for careers in city planning and data science. Full-time students may earn their master’s degree programs in as little as 12 months.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Official high school transcripts
- Standardized test results
Accreditation: Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Founded in 1972, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (UMass Lowell) has about 18,000 students in 200 programs, which include numerous online degree tracks. UMass Lowell has ten online undergraduate programs, which include associate degrees in information technology and management. The two-year IT program of the university is accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The requirement is 65 credits in classes like business communication, marketing principles, and management calculus. Graduates may apply associate-level credits for the completion of the university’s online IT bachelor’s degree.
There are other four-year programs available at the university, and these include psychology, English, criminal justice, and business administration. The University of Massachusetts-Lowell also has an online bachelor of liberal arts program. Its curriculum needs about 120 to 122 credits and provides concentration alternatives in political science, philosophy, gender studies, economics, and art history.
Online education students may go for master’s and education specialist programs in fields like education administration, administration, reading, and language. UMass Lowell students may also earn a master of education in curriculum and instruction. The 30-credit program needs core classes in subjects like dynamics of curricular change and educating diverse populations. Students may choose a generalist track or specialize in science education and autism studies.
Additional graduate programs are health informatics and management, finance, business administration, and accounting. The university also has an online master’s in security studies program, which focuses on large-scale policy perspectives. Aside from core topics, the 30-credit curriculum involves advanced classes in the concentration area. Specialization options include industrial and economic security, international security, critical infrastructure protection, homeland defense, and cybersecurity.
Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Completion of college-level preparatory courses
- Official High School or GED transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores
- Letter of recommendation
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) has a student population of about 30,000. It has about 109 undergraduate, 77 master’s, and 48 doctoral degrees in which students can remotely access their programs through Blackboard. Distance learners enjoy the benefits of technical support and individualized academic mentoring. UMass Amherst also offers non-credit, professional development, continuing education, and online certificate programs. Students may obtain institutional scholarships, state grants, and tuition waivers.
UMass Amherst emphasizes sustainability, setting the academic institution apart from several other Massachusetts online universities and colleges. One of its popular sustainability-focused programs is the Online Associate of Science in Sustainable Food and Farming. Students need at least 60 credits in courses pertaining to land-use policies, agricultural chemistry, soil science, and management. Students also need to complete an internship or practicum in a business, local organization, or community project.
Once the two-year program has been completed, one may pursue a bachelor of arts in sustainability studies at this university. Students in the fully online program may acquire a maximum of 105 credits based on professional experience and prior coursework. Required classes may include offshore wind energy development, environmental law, and community nutrition. The academic institution mainly offers online bachelor’s programs in nursing, public administration, criminal justice, and women’s and gender studies.
Graduate students at the university may pursue online degrees in critical and creative thinking, business administration, engineering management, computer science, applied linguistics, public health, and security studies. UMass Amherst has about seven master of education degrees and two post-master’s educational specializations.
The Ed.S. in policy, planning, and administration program leads to careers as a school advocate or curriculum developer. The Ed.S. in language and reading has classes in teaching reading for specific content areas, young adult literature, and program evaluation.
Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Official high school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
- Complete common application form
- Letter of recommendation
Accreditation: Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
Harvard University-Harvard Extension School
Harvard University offers an online bachelor of liberal arts degree through the Harvard Extension School. The program has been designed for students who are 21 years old and older with no bachelor’s degree. Most of the university’s coursework is online, but four course options need to be completed in Cambridge. There are three-week intensive sessions in January and the summer as well. Harvard University-Harvard Extension School also accepts a maximum of 64 transfer credits.
Interested students may enroll in three courses for the demonstration of proficiency in mathematics, writing, and academic reading. Students need to attain a minimum B grade in all coursework to be admitted during the summer, fall, and spring. Non-admitted students may apply for financial aid to local high school scholarships, municipal, and community colleges.
An accelerated graduate and undergraduate combined degree also exist through the online program of the Harvard University- Harvard Extension School. It is typically designed for professionals having at least eight years of work experience and 64 undergraduate credits. The program consists of 24 courses, 18 of which are online and six are on-campus. This particular cohort program has a completion period of six years. A graduate certificate may also be earned in a management concentration.
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Completion of two or three degree courses with a grade of B or higher
- Official high school transcripts
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university that started as a Bible school in 1869. The university houses a student population of about 30,000 students. The Christian core aspect of the university has been restricted to the theological department because of a provision of non-discrimination to students and faculty in terms of sex, religion, or color.
Boston University has offered a certificate, doctoral, and master’s degrees online. Online certificate alternatives include web application development. Online master’s degree programs include computer information systems. Online doctoral degree programs include occupational therapy and music education. There are also online student resources such as massive online libraries, career services, live chats, and an online job board.
Location: Boston, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Average GPA of 3.6
- SAT or ACT scores
Accreditation: Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
According to a report on trends in higher education, from 2004 to 2005, tuition in Massachusetts for a two-year program cost $3,361. For 2017 to 2018, tuition costs in the state have doubled to $6,076. Aside from this, the four-year, in-state tuition costs about $7,034 from 2004 to 2005 and now reaches an average of about $12,732.
To help control the increasing costs of college education, the state of Massachusetts has sponsored numerous scholarship and grant programs for state residents. Based on the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs, the students of Massachusetts have received about 100,000 grants during the academic year 2015 to 2016. These include 8,000 Gilbert Matching Grants, 51,553 MASSGrants, and 31,538 Massachusetts Access Grants.
Massachusetts invests in numerous opportunities for students in foster care programs, and this includes 885 recipients of the Foster and Adopted Child Assistance Program and 271 recipients of foster child grants. Aside from this, numerous companies and state programs allow promising college students to reside in Massachusetts even after graduation.
The Tuition Break program exists in the state, and the goal of this program is to unify public schools in various regions for the reduction of program redundancies, providing education at discounted rates. At present, the program has saved families with an average amount of $7,900 yearly.
To be eligible for the Tuition Break program, students should be permanent residents of Massachusetts and states like Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut. Upon being accepted, the participating academic institutions need to inform the students whether they have obtained the Tuition Break since it is part of the financial package. Students who are not able to enter universities with the Tuition Break program may re-apply as undergraduates. The Tuition Break program has provided a way for financially disadvantaged and underrepresented students to pursue higher education.
Online tuition costs in Massachusetts have remained competitive but higher in other states. Nevertheless, most of the online schools in Massachusetts have a generous transfer credit policy, and this includes military, work, and life experience. Some universities and colleges enable students to take exams to show prior knowledge, while others provide scholarship grants for undergraduate and graduate students. Private grants and loans are beneficial to students enrolled in a small number of credits every semester.
METHODOLOGY
Completing our list of 5 Best Value Online Schools in Massachusetts brought us to one of the biggest factors that Massachusetts students consider when enrolling in an online school: affordability. This list consists of best online schools that give you the best return on investment with high-quality degree programs at low tuition rates. These affordable online colleges also provide eligible students with opportunities for financial aid.
Westfield State University
Westfield State University is by far one of the best online universities and colleges in Massachusetts for students who are attending the MassTransfer program. This allows students who have earned their associate degree programs in a community college to be able to complete their junior and senior years purely online.
As for transfer students, Westfield State University has a wide range of degree completion programs that satisfy various interest such as Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Business, Liberal Studies, and History. Students who were not able to complete a specific MassTransfer program may benefit from the online coursework of the university. Instructors and advisors work with online students in transferring credits, as well as identifying additional classes which require on-campus attendance and the design of the curriculum.
The university has provided various bachelor’s degree completion programs online through the PLATO platform, such as criminal justice, history, and sociology.
One of the resources available for online students is the Ely Library, which features accessibility to downloadable software for student assistance, a wide range of online databases, and a librarian live chat.
Location: Westfield, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Official high school transcripts
- Application fee of $50
- SAT or ACT scores
- Optional college essay
- An optional letter of recommendation
Accreditation: Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
As one of the flagship campuses in the University of Massachusetts (UMass) system, UMass Amherst provides online students with a few of the best resources in the state. Some of the notable online programs at the university are bachelor’s degrees in marketing, finance, and accounting.
The university has the highest graduation rate among all accredited academic institutions in Massachusetts. There is also an e-Learning Department that gives specialized training and instructional design assistance to professors teaching online coursework. Online learning support services are typically offered to undergraduate students who can opt for the innovative “University without Walls” degree completion program, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Business Administration. E-learning resources include an online library, 24/7 technical support, and academic advising. Online students pay an annual tuition of $14,171.
Location: Amherst, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Official high school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
- Complete common application form
- Letter of recommendation
Accreditation: Middle States Commission of Higher Education (MSCHE)
Bridgewater State University
The College of Continuing Studies at Bridgewater State University provides diverse online college programs in Massachusetts with variations in the course structure. Students may select from web-hybrid coursework, which is a combination of online courses with regular classroom meetings, and pure online classes. This level of flexibility appeals to local students who are acquainted with distance learning principles and practices but consider the importance of face-to-face lessons. Even though Bridgewater does not offer completely online bachelor’s degrees, students may choose from a wide variety of web and web hybrid coursework, which permit them to complete a portion of their coursework via distance learning. Annual tuition is $8,903 yearly.
Location: Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Official high school transcripts
- SAT or ACT scores
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Larger schools have more competitive online degree programs, and the University of Massachusetts-Lowell (UMass-Lowell) is not an exception. The university has a broad range of affordable online degree programs in the state.
The school’s online bachelor’s degree programs include information technology, liberal arts, and business administration. Graduate degree programs focus on security studies, education, and finance. There are about four hybrid online programs requiring on-campus courses, namely, a health management certificate, two leadership in Ed.D. degrees, and a masters in health informatics and management.
The Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts is known for its diverse specializations. Students may select from eight tracks, which may include alternatives such as Gender Studies. UMass Lowell has also added among its online course offerings such as business administration and criminal justice. Online students may also gain benefits from the university’s support staff, as they have at least 15 years of experience working with online students.
All online students at UMass-Lowell pay lower tuition rates than on-campus students, regardless of residency status. The university also has merit-based scholarships for education majors, veterans, and nontraditional students. The annual undergraduate tuition averages $13,427.
Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Completion of college-level preparatory courses
- Official High School or GED transcripts
- ACT or SAT scores
- Letter of recommendation
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Bay Path University
Bay Path University is the first-of-its-kind all-women online university. It has satellite campuses in Concord, Sturbridge, and East Longmeadow. Considered as one of the top online universities in Massachusetts, it currently offers more than 20 accelerated online degree programs.
The female-focused objective of Bay Path University has extended to its online learning experience, which emphasizes support and collaboration. The university features full accessibility to initiatives such as the Women as Empowered Learners and Leaders (WELL) program that integrates confidence-building and career-enhancement experience into the curriculum to promote leadership.
The online programs of Bay Path University include business analytics, digital forensics, offender rehabilitation, and victim advocacy. The programs are delivered online in an accelerated format, and completion time is three-and-a-half years. Bay Path has about six program start dates yearly, and admissions are continuous.
Bay Path University has an in-state annual tuition of $31,785, and application is free. Discounted tuition rates are given to active military members. The university does not accept students from states like Wyoming, Oregon, Wisconsin, Montana, Arkansas, Alabama, Missouri, and Indiana.
Location: Long Meadow, Massachusetts
Admission Requirements:
- Transfer of 90 credits; credits for military, work, and volunteer experience
- Official high school transcripts
- Standardized test scores
- Complete online application form
Accreditation: New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
