Cheapest Electrical Colleges in Massachusetts

MIT graduates in electrical engineering command $121,226 starting salaries, yet the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute delivers the same field for just $16,172 net cost. This $100,000+ earnings gap reflects Massachusetts' stark educational divide, where elite institutions compete alongside specialized technical schools. The state's biotech corridor and Route 128 tech companies fuel demand for electronics engineers, creating pathways from community-focused programs to world-well-known research universities. Net costs span from $16,172 to $35,435 across 15 programs, with public options like UMass-Lowell offering solid $66,989 graduate earnings at $18,627 net cost. Harvard's unexpected $16,816 net price demonstrates how generous financial aid can make even $59,076 sticker prices accessible, while specialized schools like Franklin W. Olin College achieve 92.2% graduation rates despite highly selective admissions.

Programs

$16,172 – $43,273

Net Price Range

$77,412

Avg. Program Earnings

74.6%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology Boston, Massachusetts	$16,172	$18,906	47.2%
2	Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts	$16,816	$59,076	97.3%	3.2%
3	Eastern Nazarene College Quincy, Massachusetts	$17,733	$28,610	35.3%	61.9%
4	University of Massachusetts-Boston Boston, Massachusetts	$18,282	$15,496	51.1%	80.8%
5	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts	$18,627	$16,570	70.1%	86.0%
6	Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, Massachusetts	$19,813	$60,156	96.1%	4.0%
7	Franklin W Olin College of Engineering Needham, Massachusetts	$20,575	$64,458	92.2%	19.1%
8	University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth North Dartmouth, Massachusetts	$20,605	$15,208	49.0%	95.5%
9	University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst, Massachusetts	$23,691	$17,357	83.2%	63.5%
10	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$26,996	$65,168	90.0%	14.4%
11	Stonehill College Easton, Massachusetts	$29,969	$54,500	80.8%	73.4%
12	Western New England University Springfield, Massachusetts	$31,170	$46,430	63.9%	88.0%
13	Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts	$32,116	$63,141	90.4%	6.8%
14	Wentworth Institute of Technology Boston, Massachusetts	$34,170	$41,010	68.6%	92.3%
15	Tufts University Medford, Massachusetts	$35,435	$67,844	93.3%	9.7%
16	Merrimack College North Andover, Massachusetts	$37,899	$51,786	72.1%	74.6%
17	Worcester Polytechnic Institute Worcester, Massachusetts	$43,273	$59,070	88.4%	57.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do public and private net costs compare for electrical engineering in Massachusetts?

Public universities average around $19,000 in net costs, with UMass-Dartmouth at $20,605 and UMass-Boston at $18,282. Private institutions show extreme variation, from Harvard's need-based $16,816 to Tufts at $35,435. The four UMass campuses maintain consistent affordability while private schools depend heavily on financial aid packages. Elite privates often match public costs through generous aid, while mid-tier privates typically cost $10,000-15,000 more annually.

What earnings can graduates expect from the most affordable programs?

UMass-Dartmouth graduates earn $63,997 at the lowest salary range, while UMass-Lowell reaches $69,338 for similar net costs around $18,000-20,000. MIT tops all programs at $121,226, nearly double other schools. Even affordable options like UMass-Amherst produce $69,338 earners at $23,691 net cost. The 47% salary premium from elite schools may not justify the debt load for many students.

Does acceptance rate correlate with program affordability in Massachusetts?

The most selective programs often provide the lowest net costs through generous aid, with MIT at 3.96% acceptance and $19,813 net cost. UMass-Dartmouth accepts 95.52% of applicants while maintaining $20,605 affordability. Mid-range selectivity schools like Northeastern (6.80% acceptance) charge $32,116 net. The pattern suggests that either highly selective aid-rich schools or open-access public universities offer the best value propositions.

Where do graduation rates stand among the most affordable options?

Public universities show mixed results, with UMass-Amherst achieving 83.20% graduation rates and UMass-Boston at 51.10%. The most affordable option, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute, graduates 47.20% of students at $16,172 net cost. Private schools consistently exceed 80% graduation rates but cost significantly more. Students balancing affordability with completion odds should consider UMass-Lowell's 70.10% rate at reasonable $18,627 cost.

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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.