Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts for 2024

Get detailed info on Best Online Colleges in Massachusetts and their online degrees, financial aid and scholarships, acceptance rate, tuition and fees.

Massachusetts is the most populous state in the North-eastern United States. The state is home to two of the best-ranked colleges in the world, namely, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The state provides various financial aids to the students to help them with their tuition fee. The institutions provide scholarships as well.

The total grants make up to 6.8% of the state’s total fiscal support for higher education. Massachusetts has a strong commitment to public higher education and so it provided 61% of the need-based grants to public in-state institutions in 2015. The National Centre for Educational Statistics (NCES) estimates that around 5.9% of students enrolled in Massachusetts’s colleges and universities are in fully online programs.

Opportunities for college education in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is home to 124 degree-granting institutions which include 30 Public, 83 Private Non-profit and 11 Private for-profit colleges. Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States with the largest financial endowment of any university. 

According to NCES, the total number of enrollments in the year 2016 was 505,723. The total number of degrees awarded in 2015-2016 was 13,777 Associate's Degree, 61,082 Bachelor's Degree, 39,390 Master's Degree, and 8,475 Doctoral Degrees. 

The best online colleges in Massachusetts are expanding day by day and recent developments show that the state’s one of the top priorities is online higher education through which it would train students to achieve academic as well as professional success. Massachusetts is clearly supportive of its higher education system and continues to work towards affordable tuition for its students.

The following is a list of top online colleges in Massachusetts in 2019

University of Massachusetts (UMass)
#

1 University of Massachusetts (UMass)

Amherst, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 84%

Average Financial Aid: $8,572

Acceptance Rate: 60.00

Total Programs Offered (179)


40

Business Management Programs

24

Education Programs

15

Health Science Programs

100

Other Programs


The University of Massachusetts is a public institution in Massachusetts which is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College Commission on Institution of Higher Education (NEASC). It offers Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate, and Certificates.

The department of financial assistance awards over $159 million to students in the form of Scholarships, Loans, Grants, etc. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.73 is required to take admission in UMass.

In 2018, this university has been ranked in the first tier of national universities in Massachusetts for the third year in a row by U.S. World Report. It has more than 50 interdisciplinary research institute and centers at Umass Boston where faculty and students pursue research together, provide teaching & other services on several topics.

The institute is one of the nation’s top public universities. It has been recently ranked 26th among 700 public, four- year college, institute in the United States in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual college guide.

#

2 University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Public

Financial Aid Percentage: 76%

Average Financial Aid: $8,927

Acceptance Rate: 61.00

Total Programs Offered (28)


7

Education Programs

4

Accounting Programs

3

Criminal Justice Programs

14

Other Programs


University of Massachusetts- Lowell is a national public research institution that is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College Commission on Institution of Higher Education (NEASC). It offers Masters and Graduate Certificates in the field of Accounting, Arts, Business Management, Informational Technology, Interdisciplinary Studies, Education and many more.

The University awards over $170 million to students annually in the form of financial aid. A cumulative GPA of 3.29 out of 4.0 is required to take admission in this institution.

It has over 400 athlete students which include both male and female. The university provides several facilities to their athletics students such as Costello Athletic Centre, Cushing Field Centre, Lelacheur Park, River View Field, TSONGAS Centre, etc.

The institute is a nationally ranked public research university in teaching, research, and student and community engagement.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
#

3 Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Worcester, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 99%

Average Financial Aid: $20,258

Acceptance Rate: 48.00

Total Programs Offered (32)


23

Engineering Programs

2

Computer Science Programs

2

Safety Programs

5

Other Programs


Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private institute in Worcester, Massachusetts which is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College Commission on Institution of Higher Education (NEASC). It offers Master’s degree, Graduate Certificate, and Certificate programs in Business Management, Biology, Education, Information System, Safety, Engineering and many more.

WPI manages online education with an emphasis on collaboration, promoting relationships with world-class faculty and peer members. It has more than 255 clubs and conducts organizational activities like Robotics Competitions, AweSTEM, Innovator of the year, Lecture Series, and many more.

The college has numerous facilities for their sports team like Rooftop Field, Donahue Rowing Center, New England Baseball Complex, A.J. Knight Tennis Courts and Throwing Area, Sports and Recreation Center, and so on. In 2018, 100% of understudies have received scholarships from the branch of financial assistance of WPI.

Bay Path University
#

4 Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 100%

Average Financial Aid: $21,977

Acceptance Rate: 60.00

Total Programs Offered (35)


8

Business Management Programs

4

Psychology Programs

4

Accounting Programs

19

Other Programs


Bay Path University is a private institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NEASC). It offers Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees in Business Management, Communications and Information Management, Counselling and Psychology, Cybersecurity Management and many more.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 is required to take admission in this institute. The students must secure a minimum composite score of 1160 in the SAT exam or 22 in the ACT exam to become eligible for admission.

According to the Post 9/11 GI Bill, the institute is indulged in Yellow Ribbon Program to support the nation’s active servicemen as well as servicewomen and their dependents. It provides a tuition fee discount to the spouse of an active or retired military member.

The institute is one of the most affordable universities. Around 96% of eligible students have received financial aid facilities equal to an amount of $36847.

Endicott College
#

5 Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 90%

Average Financial Aid: $12,843

Acceptance Rate: 79.00

Total Programs Offered (40)


8

Education Programs

6

Psychology Programs

6

Behavioral Sciences Programs

20

Other Programs


Endicott College Massachusetts is a private institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) to offer Bachelors, Associates, Masters, Doctorate, Graduate Certificate in Business Management, Criminal Justice, Education, Nursing and many more streams.

The institute has more than 50 clubs and organizations to enhance technical skills as well as the interpersonal skills of the students. Few facilities like dining, health-wellness, housing, security are offered to every student for their comfort.

A minimum cumulative 3.30 GPA is required to take admission in this college. It provides grants and scholarships to the students based on their financial requirements and talent. If a student maintains his/her minimum GPA 3.0 throughout four years then the scholarship is renewed.

The university takes part in the Yellow Ribbon Program and gives Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to veterans and their dependents who are actively serving the nation. It also provides a military housing allowance to eligible veterans with no application fee.

Boston University
#

6 Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 47%

Average Financial Aid: $34,255

Acceptance Rate: 29.00

Total Programs Offered (61)


23

Business Management Programs

8

Information Technology Programs

7

Computer Science Programs

23

Other Programs


Boston University is a private research institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NEASC) to offer a Master’s, Doctorate and Graduate degree courses in Arts & Science, Communications, Engineering, Fine Arts, General Studies, Health Science, Business, etc.

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.59 is required to take admission in this institution. Additionally, the students must have secured a minimum composite score of 1440 in the SAT exam or 30 in the ACT exam.

Boston always strives to provide all kinds of support facilities to active duty military, service members and their dependents based on eligibility criteria established by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

It has been ranked 42nd among best colleges, 36th among best U.S. Colleges, 46th among best global universities by leading magazines and websites like U.S. News & World Report, The Wall Street Journal.

Simmons College
#

7 Simmons College

Boston, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 100%

Average Financial Aid: $24,977

Acceptance Rate: 64.00

Total Programs Offered (4)


2

Business Management Programs

1

Health Science Program

1

Behavioral Sciences Program


Simmons College is a private non-profit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NEASC) to offer a Masters degree in Behavioral Science, Business Management, and Health Science.

A minimum GPA of 3.40 on a 4.0 scale is required to take admission in this institution. According to Post-9/11 GI Bill, the college offers the Yellow Ribbon Program to veterans and their dependents to help them in their tuition fee expenses.

It provides other financial aid facilities to regular students like scholarships, grants, loan facilities to eligible students.

Simmons has been ranked 4th for the best value in regional universities, 38th in the nation for social work, 12th in the nation for library and information science by leading publications like U.S. News & World Report.

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)
#

8 Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)

Boston, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 97%

Average Financial Aid: $10,847

Acceptance Rate: 84.00

Total Programs Offered (31)


21

Health Science Programs

10

Nursing Programs


Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Science is a private institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NEASC) offering Bachelor’s, Master’s, Associate, Doctorate, and Graduate Certificates along with online degree courses. It focuses on the area of Acupuncture, Chemical and Biological Sciences, Health Sciences, Premedical and Health Studies, Psychology, Dental Hygiene and many more.

A minimum GPA of 3.48 on a scale of 4.0 is required to take admission in this university.

According to Post 9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill, veterans and their family members are offered the Yellow Ribbon Program to increase the affordability of their educational needs.

MCPHS offers a financial assistance facility like scholarships and grants based on the student’s merits and requirements. Students can get a 100% tuition fee waiver in the online Master’s degree.

Western New England University
#

9 Western New England University

Springfield, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 97%

Average Financial Aid: $19,459

Acceptance Rate: 80.00

Total Programs Offered (11)


4

Business Management Programs

2

Law Programs

1

Accounting Program

4

Other Programs


The Western New England University is a private institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NEASC) offering Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Accounting, Sciences, Education, Business Administration, Public Administration, etc.

The university provides necessary facilities for students like housing, dining, wellness, safety, clubs and organizations, campus events, etc. to keep them more focused on their studies and have a holistic development.

New entrant students are required to secure a minimum grade point average of 3.32 GPA out of a 4.0 scale. Additionally, they must secure a minimum composite score of 1160 in the SAT exam or 24 in the ACT exam.

According to the 9/11 GI Bill, the university offers the Yellow Ribbon Enhancement Program to assist veterans and their dependents morally and economically.

There is a separate office called the Office of Enrollment Services. Here the staff members are dedicated to helping the students on various matters related to admission or financial aid.

Lasell College
#

10 Lasell College

Newton, Massachusetts


Institution Type: Private Not-For-Profit

Financial Aid Percentage: 96%

Average Financial Aid: $21,602

Acceptance Rate: 76.00

Total Programs Offered (27)


18

Business Management Programs

4

Criminal Justice Programs

2

Health Science Programs

3

Other Programs


Lasell College is a private institution that is regionally accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College Commission on Institution of Higher Education (NEASC). It offers Master’s and Graduate Certificates in the area of Business Management, Criminal Justice, Health Science, Public Administration, and Psychology.

A minimum combined GPA of 2.83 out of 4.0 is required to take admission in this institution.

Lasell helps the veterans in their education, personal, and professional goals with the help of GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Grants, Tuition Assistance, Education benefits, Vocational rehabilitation, etc.

It has more than 70 student clubs and organizations for the students to showcase their talent, leadership, and other abilities. The new students can also start a new club with the help of faculties and alumni.