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Cheapest History Colleges in Massachusetts

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

Massachusetts history programs reveal a dramatic price divide, with net costs ranging from Worcester State's $14,738 to private colleges exceeding $25,000. The state's public universities dominate the affordable end, while elite institutions like Williams College ($14,852 net) and Harvard University ($16,816 net) offer surprisingly low costs through generous financial aid. History graduates in Massachusetts benefit from the state's rich colonial heritage and proximity to major museums, historical societies, and cultural institutions concentrated around Boston. The earnings potential varies significantly, from UMass-Lowell's $22,087 to Amherst College's $74,576, reflecting both program quality and alumni networks. Massachusetts maintains the highest concentration of colleges per capita nationwide, creating intense competition that often benefits students through improved aid packages and program quality.
48
Programs
$14,738 – $39,866
Net Price Range
$34,989
Avg. Program Earnings
69.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

48 History Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
2 $14,852 $64,860 96.6% 8.5%
3 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
4 $16,698 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
5 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
6 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
7 $17,970 $11,389 54.6% 87.7%
8 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
9 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
10 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
11 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
12 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
13 $18,707 $11,884 49.1% 92.5%
14 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
15 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
16 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
17 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
18 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
19 $24,944 $26,000 53.2% 73.2%
20 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
21 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
22 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
23 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
24 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
25 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
26 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
27 $28,346 $47,770 69.5% 88.8%
28 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
29 $29,187 $43,707 67.6% 75.6%
30 $29,396 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
31 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
32 $29,969 $54,500 80.8% 73.4%
33 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
34 $30,236 $44,960 43.2% 76.0%
35 $30,934 $62,080 75.7% 79.5%
36 $31,065 $40,375 63.6% 84.9%
37 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
38 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
39 $31,805 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%
40 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
41 $33,885 $64,946 86.1% 39.4%
42 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
43 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
44 $36,868 $60,850 89.6% 36.4%
45 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
46 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%
47 $39,324 $39,212 75.4% 73.3%
48 $39,866 $67,680 91.0% 16.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Worcester State University the most affordable history program at $14,738?

Worcester State combines low in-state tuition of $11,286 with modest living costs in central Massachusetts. The public university maintains an 87.66% acceptance rate while delivering solid career outcomes with $31,314 average earnings. Graduates complete programs with manageable debt averaging $24,680, making it accessible for students seeking quality education without financial strain.

How do elite colleges like Harvard and Williams offer such low net prices?

Harvard's $16,816 net cost and Williams' $14,852 result from need-based aid that often eliminates tuition for families earning under specific thresholds. These institutions use massive endowments to subsidize education costs significantly. Harvard graduates average just $12,721 in debt while earning $49,644, demonstrating the long-term value of generous financial aid policies.

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

Private colleges consistently achieve higher graduation rates, with Williams at 96.60% and Amherst at 93.40% compared to public universities averaging 50-55%. However, several affordable public options like UMass-Lowell reach 70.10% graduation rates. The pattern suggests that institutional support, rather than just cost, drives completion success across different price points.

Where do Massachusetts history graduates find the best earning potential?

Amherst College leads with $74,576 average earnings, followed by Harvard at $49,644 and Williams at $49,464. Public university graduates typically earn $22,000-35,000 annually, reflecting different career paths and geographic choices. Massachusetts' concentration of museums, historical societies, and educational institutions provides unique opportunities for history professionals throughout the region.

What acceptance rates should students expect at affordable Massachusetts history programs?

Most affordable public universities maintain acceptance rates above 80%, with Salem State at 92.66% and UMass-Dartmouth at 95.52%. Elite private colleges remain highly selective despite low net costs, with Harvard accepting just 3.24% and Amherst 7.26% of applicants. This creates clear pathways for students across different academic preparation levels and financial circumstances.

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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.