The Codfish State is not only a hub for top-ranked educational programs but an exciting destination for careers in finance, engineering, information technology and other lucrative fields. Online colleges in Massachusetts can prepare you to enter the forefront of these fields and many more. Explore our rankings of the top online colleges in Massachusetts and learn what they can do for you.
Top 5 online schools in Massachusetts: Quick facts
The best online colleges in Massachusetts
Before looking through our rankings, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with ZDNet’s ranking methodology. We require these schools to offer a diverse range of fully online bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Unless otherwise indicated, data is drawn from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Scorecard. Note that for public colleges, the average annual net price given is for in-state students.
- Boston UniversityBoston, Massachusetts About the school: Founded in 1839, Boston University is the fourth largest independent university in the nation. The school’s online catalog includes online master’s degrees in global marketing management, software development, and financial management.
Acceptance rate: 20%Graduation rate: 87%Avg. annual net price: $30,395Student body population: 36,104Student-to-teacher ratio: 11:1Number of online bachelor degrees: One (degree-completion)Number of online master’s degrees: 20Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1310-1500Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: Boston University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 2. University of Massachusetts AmherstAmherst, Massachusetts About the school: Established in 1863, University of Massachusetts Amherst began as an agricultural college. It has grown to become the preeminent school in the University of Massachusetts system. The school’s online programs include an online MBA with concentrations in business analytics, finance, and healthcare administration.
Acceptance rate: 65%Graduation rate: 78%Avg. annual net price: $22,038Student body population: 32,045Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1Number of online bachelor degrees: EightNumber of online master’s degrees: 22Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1200-1390Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: University of Massachusetts Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 3. Worcester Polytechnic InstituteWorcester, Massachusetts About the school: A private university founded in 1865, Worcester Polytechnic Institute was one of the first schools offering programs in engineering in the nation. The school’s online catalog includes an online master’s in biomanufacturing that can prepare students for Massachusetts’ rapidly-growing biomanufacturing industry.
Acceptance rate: 59%Graduation rate: 88%Avg. annual net price: $42,835Student body population: 7,230Student-to-teacher ratio: 14:1Number of online bachelor degrees: 11Number of online master’s degrees: 24Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not requiredMinimum GPA: N/ACourse delivery method: Asynchronous
Accreditation: Worcester Polytechnic Institute is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 4. Brandeis UniversityWaltham, Massachusetts About the school: Brandeis University’s online graduate programs include master’s degrees in bioinformatics, robotic software engineering, and strategic analytics. The school gives learners the option to take a course before committing to an online program.
Acceptance rate: 33%Graduation rate: 89%Avg. annual net price: $33,663Student body population: 5,558Student-to-teacher ratio: 10:1Number of online bachelor degrees: SevenNumber of online master’s degrees: 10Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1320-1510Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: Brandeis University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 5. Simmons UniversityBoston, Massachusetts About the school: A women’s college founded in 1899, Simmons University now offers online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in the liberal arts tradition. The school’s online catalog includes online master’s degrees in public health, behavioral analysis, and nursing.
Acceptance rate: 83%Graduation rate: 80%Avg. annual net price: $27,920Student body population: 5,984Student-to-teacher ratio: 9:1Number of online bachelor degrees: 10Number of online master’s degrees: NineAvg. SAT range for admitted students: 1060-1250Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: Simmons University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 6. Northeastern University Boston, Massachusetts About the school: A private university founded in Boston, Northeastern University now has satellite locations in Toronto, Silicon Valley, and Seattle. The school’s bevy of online degrees includes master’s degrees in engineering management, analytics, and artificial intelligence.
Acceptance rate: 20%Graduation rate: 80%Avg. annual net price: $29,714Student body population: 28,167Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1Number of online bachelor degrees: 10 (degree-completion)Number of online master’s degrees: 51Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1410-1540Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 7. Wentworth Institute of TechnologyBoston, Massachusetts About the school: Established in 1904, Wentworth Institute of Technology offers career-focused education in technical design and engineering. WIT’s online degrees include its online master’s in facility management and master’s in architectural engineering, both of which can be completed in one year.
Acceptance rate: 94%Graduation rate: 66%Avg. annual net price: $35,307Student body population: 4,163Student-to-teacher ratio: 16:1Number of online bachelor degrees: ZeroNumber of online master’s degrees: TwoAvg. SAT range for admitted students: 1090-1280Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: Wentworth Institute of Technology is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 8. University of Massachusetts LowellLowell, Massachusetts About the school: A nationally ranked research university, University of Massachusetts Lowell currently offers a variety of online programs at the undergraduate through postgraduate level. The school’s online MBA features concentrations in finance, information technology, and managerial leadership.
Acceptance rate: 75%Graduation rate: 59%Avg. annual net price: $20,079Student body population: 17,597Student-to-teacher ratio: 18:1Number of online bachelor degrees: Nine (56 throughout UMass system)Number of online master’s degrees: 22 (53 throughout UMass system)Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 1140-1320Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: University of Massachusetts Lowell is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 9. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health SciencesBoston, Massachusetts About the school: Since 1823, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has provided traditional and accelerated programs in majors such as pre-medicine studies, nursing, and pharmacy science. The school’s online degree programs use the Blackboard learning management system.
Acceptance rate: 91%Graduation rate: 81%Avg. annual net price: $37,807Student body population: 7,304Student-to-teacher ratio: 12:1Number of online bachelor degrees: Three (degree-completion)Number of online master’s degrees: 14Avg. SAT range for admitted students: 970-1208Minimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous
Accreditation: Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). 10. University of Massachusetts BostonBoston, Massachusetts About the school: University of Massachusetts Boston contributes to Boston’s area’s thriving economy with online degrees including an online MBA, online master’s in instructional design, and online master’s in public administration. The school also offers unique graduate certificates in autism studies, critical and creative thinking, and gender, leadership, and public policy.
Acceptance rate: 80%Graduation rate: 57%Avg. annual net price: $17,752Student body population: 15,637Student-to-teacher ratio: 15:1Number of online bachelor degrees: FourNumber of online master’s degrees: 14Avg. SAT range for admitted students: Not publicly availableMinimum GPA: 2.0Course delivery method: Asynchronous/synchronous, hybrid
Accreditation: University of Massachusetts Boston is accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE).
In conclusion
While pursuing an online degree in Massachusetts can get expensive, the returns, such as academic prestige and a booming job market, can be high. Massachusetts is a top destination for online college. Keep in mind that if you’re hoping to start online college today, you can always look for programs with rolling admissions.
