Offering Superior Education and Lasting Tradition: Massachusetts Colleges

Massachusetts colleges are the epitome of advanced degree acquisition. Every year, Massachusetts universities open their doors to high school grads, mid-career changers, and graduate hopefuls in an atmosphere of accomplishment. With strong support from the state and federal governments, you'll find colleges in Massachusetts the ideal environments for your own higher education pursuits.

Massachusetts Colleges Include Diverse Options
Massachusetts boasts 121 colleges and universities that include doctoral and research, baccalaureate, associate's, master's degree-granting, and special-focus institutions. The greater Boston area alone hosts more than 40 colleges while the greater Worcester area headquarters 10.

The Massachusetts public higher education system features 29 campuses separated into three primary segments: 15 community colleges, nine state universities and the five university campuses. Each of the Massachusetts colleges and universities are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

Massachusetts colleges feature two pilot programs that are collaborations among Massachusetts public higher education institutions and designed to ensure your success. The MassTransfer program allows you to complete an associate's degree at a community college and enjoy full transfer of credit, guaranteed admission, and a tuition discount at any of the four-year Massachusetts colleges. Also, the Commonwealth Honors Programs is the only integrated network of honors programs throughout the public higher education system.

Students at Massachusetts Universities
According to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, the Massachusetts public higher education system serves over 260,000 students each year and awarded more than 33,000 degrees and certificates in 2008-2009. The student headcount breakdown of colleges in Massachusetts includes:

• Community colleges: 137,509
• State universities: 73,920
• University of Massachusetts system: 80,083

Financial Aid at Massachusetts Universities
The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education reveals that the 2008-2009 tuition and fees for the state's public higher education system were $6,399. The breakdown of costs for various Massachusetts colleges is as follows:

• Community colleges: $3,862
• State universities: $6,400
• University of Massachusetts schools: $9,585

Massachusetts universities provide a robust network of financial aid options to help you to fund your higher education. According to The Massachusetts Office of Student Financial Assistance, students at colleges in Massachusetts have access to 9 grants, 9 scholarship, 17 tuition waivers and 1 loan opportunity. In fact, over 41,596undergraduate students--or 30 percent--of the Massachusetts colleges and universities received some form of grant in aid.

Living and Studying in Massachusetts
The U.S. Census Bureau sets the state's 2009 population estimate at 6,593,587--fifteenth in the nation. Massachusetts' major cities include Boston, Worcester, Springfield, and Cambridge. Massachusetts' main industries include biotechnology, health care, finance, and tourism, and state residents enjoyed a median income of $65,401 in 2008. A thriving arts and culture scene features such attractions as the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Lowell National Historical Park.