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Cheapest Education Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Harvard University delivers the most unusual education story in Massachusetts, charging $59,076 in sticker price but offering enough financial aid to reduce costs to just $16,816 for qualifying students. This creates a striking pattern across the state's 20 Education programs where net prices range from $14,334 to $31,569, despite published tuition varying wildly between public and private institutions. Public universities like Worcester State and Fitchburg State maintain net costs below $16,000, while graduates from programs across the state earn between $27,584 and $40,338 annually. The state's concentration of colleges per capita creates intense competition for education majors, but Massachusetts schools benefit from the region's strong demand for teachers in districts serving biotech and healthcare communities around Boston. MassGrant Plus assistance helps keep public education programs accessible to in-state students.
26
Programs
$14,334 – $39,866
Net Price Range
$33,336
Avg. Program Earnings
70.7%
Avg. Graduation Rate

26 Education, General Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,334 $22,490 44.4% 57.9%
2 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
3 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
4 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
5 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
6 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
7 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
8 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
9 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
10 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
11 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
12 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
13 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
14 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
15 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
16 $28,346 $47,770 69.5% 88.8%
17 $29,187 $43,707 67.6% 75.6%
18 $29,504 $46,220 48.3% 87.5%
19 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
20 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
21 $31,805 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%
22 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
23 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
24 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
25 $39,324 $39,212 75.4% 73.3%
26 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Harvard's Education program surprisingly affordable compared to other private options?

Harvard's net price of $16,816 places it among the most affordable options despite a $59,076 sticker price. The university's substantial endowment funds generous financial aid packages that often exceed 70% of published costs. This aggressive aid strategy makes Harvard more accessible than many state schools for qualifying students. Only Hellenic College and Bay Path University offer lower net prices at $14,334 and $14,590 respectively.

How do public university costs compare across Massachusetts Education programs?

Public universities maintain remarkably consistent pricing with Worcester State at $14,738 net cost and Fitchburg State at $15,432. In-state tuition ranges from $11,046 to $11,978 across these institutions. Salem State graduates earn $31,712 annually with $25,500 in debt, while Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts graduates earn $32,284 with just $21,700 in debt. All public options accept over 86% of applicants.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost in Massachusetts Education programs?

Higher-cost private institutions generally show stronger graduation rates, with Harvard at 97.3% and Wellesley at 91.2%. However, public programs vary significantly despite similar costs, with UMass Amherst reaching 83.2% compared to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at 49.1%. Bay Path University breaks this pattern with a 56.9% graduation rate despite its low $14,590 net cost. The variation suggests factors beyond price influence student success rates.

Where do Massachusetts Education graduates find the best earning potential?

UMass Amherst graduates earn the highest at $36,437 annually, followed by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at $32,284. Smith College graduates earn $31,839 with relatively low debt of $19,000. Bay Path University shows the lowest earnings at $27,584, though their net cost remains among the most affordable at $14,590. These earnings reflect Massachusetts' competitive education job market and proximity to high-cost metropolitan areas.

Is admission competitive for affordable Education programs in Massachusetts?

Most affordable options accept the majority of applicants, with Worcester State accepting 87.66% and Salem State accepting 92.66%. Harvard stands as the major exception with just 3.24% acceptance despite its low net cost. Wellesley accepts 13.57% of applicants, while Smith accepts 22.86%. Public programs consistently maintain acceptance rates above 86%, making them accessible alternatives for students seeking Education degrees.

More Education, General Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.