2021 Best Colleges for the Money (With No Aid) in Massachusetts
Trying to decide what college is best for you is no easy matter. College Factual has developed its Best Massachusetts Schools For The Money For Those With No Aid ranking as one tool you can use to help make this decision.
We analyzed 64 colleges and universities to determine which were the best for overall value for the money with no aid in Massachusetts. Quality is an important component in this ranking, so it is not just naming the schools with the cheapest price tag. Instead, it is identifying those institutions that offer the most value when taking their educational quality into consideration. So it is possible that College A may rank better than College B, while College B is less expensive to attend.
Find out more about our ranking methodology.
When determining average cost, we look at total expenses, such as tuition, fees, books and supplies, room and board, and other living expenses. This gives a rough estimation of how much money you can expect to pay out-of-pocket or through loans each year.
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Top Colleges for the Money (Without Aid) in Massachusetts
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our 2021 rankings named University of Massachusetts Amherst the best school for overall value for the money with no aid in Massachusetts for students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a large public school located in Amherst, Massachusetts that handed out 6,878 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
It takes the average student at UMass Amherst about 4.1 years to graduate, and the average full-time cost to attend the school for students who receive no aid is around $31,793. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the UMass Amherst is $131,623. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
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Out of the 64 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Maritime Academy landed the #2 spot on the list. Maritime is a public institution located in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 391 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
At Maritime, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.3 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $28,602 for students who receive no aid. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Maritime is about $122,131. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Fitchburg State University. The school came in at #3 in Massachusetts on this year’s best value ranking. Located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the medium-sized public school awarded 815 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
The average student at Fitchburg State graduates in less than 4.4 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $25,055 for students who receive no aid. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Fitchburg State is about $111,244. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
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Out of the 64 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Westfield State University landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Westfield, Massachusetts, the medium-sized public school handed out 1,555 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
It takes the average student at Westfield about 4.2 years to graduate, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $26,044 for students who receive no aid. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Westfield is about $109,124. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
The low student loan default rate of 4.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
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You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell. The school came in at #5 in Massachusetts on this year’s best value ranking. Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, the fairly large public school awarded 2,906 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
The average student at UMass Lowell graduates in less than 4.5 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $31,332 for students who receive no aid. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from UMass Lowell is about $140,054. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
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Worcester State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts ranking. Worcester State is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2018-2019, this school awarded 1,217 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergradutates.
At Worcester State, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.4 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $25,589 for students who receive no aid. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Worcester State is $112,336. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ranked #7 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. North Adams, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 310 students in 2018-2019.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at MCLA is 4.2 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $26,633 for students who receive no aid. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from MCLA is $112,391. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
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Massachusetts College of Art and Design ranked #8 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a small public school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 341 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
At Massachusetts College of Art and Design, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.2 years, and the average full-time cost to attend the school for students who receive no aid is around $30,700. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Massachusetts College of Art and Design is $129,554. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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Bridgewater State University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Bridgewater State is a public institution located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2,306 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
It takes the average student at Bridgewater State about 4.5 years to graduate, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $27,476 for students who receive no aid. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Bridgewater State is $123,092. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
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University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth ranked #10 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. UMass Dartmouth is a public institution located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,469 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
It takes about 4.4 years for the average student at UMass Dartmouth to complete their degree, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $31,777 for students who receive no aid. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the UMass Dartmouth is $141,090. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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With a ranking of #11, Salem State University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Salem, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,672 students in 2018-2019.
It takes the average student at Salem State about 4.4 years to graduate, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $28,320 for students who receive no aid. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Salem State is $125,174. When students graduate in a lesser amount of time, they can save thousands of dollars.
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Framingham State University landed the #12 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. Framingham State is a medium-sized public school situated in Framingham, Massachusetts. It awarded 862 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Framingham State is 4.3 years, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $27,284 for students who receive no aid. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Framingham State be around $117,867. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
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University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #13 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. This fairly large public school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 2,576 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
It takes the average student at UMass Boston about 4.6 years to graduate, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $35,287 for students who receive no aid. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the UMass Boston is $161,967. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
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Clark University did quite well in the 2021 Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #14. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 662 students in 2018-2019.
It takes about 4.1 years for the average student at Clark to complete their degree, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $58,430 for students who receive no aid. Thus, the average cost to get a bachelor’s degree from the Clark is $238,979. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
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College of the Holy Cross came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 848 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
The average student at Holy Cross graduates in less than 4.0 years, and it costs students who receive no aid about $71,710 per year to attend the school. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Holy Cross is $290,426. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. In addition to its great value ranking, Holy Cross is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Colleges in Massachusetts list.
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Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts ranking. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,138 students in 2018-2019.
It takes the average student at WPI about 4.1 years to graduate, and the average full-time cost to attend the school for students who receive no aid is around $69,822. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from WPI be around $284,176. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. WPI also claimed a spot on our Best Colleges in Massachusetts list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools in this category.
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With a ranking of #17, Massachusetts Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 1,333 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
At MIT, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $73,160 for students who receive no aid. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from MIT is $300,688. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 99%. MIT also took the #2 spot in our Best Colleges in Massachusetts rankings.
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With a ranking of #18, Mount Holyoke College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Mount Holyoke College is a small private not-for-profit school located in South Hadley, Massachusetts that handed out 683 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
The average amount of time it takes for a student to receive their degree at Mt. Holyoke is 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $69,578 for students who receive no aid. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Mt. Holyoke is $283,182. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
With a student-to-faculty rate of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
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With a ranking of #18, Harvard University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 2,902 students in 2018-2019.
At Harvard, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $73,800 for students who receive no aid. When we combine these numbers, we estimate that the cost to get a bachelor’s degree from Harvard is $304,794. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Harvard also took the #1 spot in our Best Colleges in Massachusetts rankings.
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Olin College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Located in Needham, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 78 diplomas to qualifed bachelor’s degree students in 2018-2019.
It takes the average student at Olin College about 4.2 years to graduate, and the estimated yearly cost for the school is $71,630 for students who receive no aid. This means that the average student pays around $300,130 to get a bachelor’s degree from Olin College. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 99%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Olin College also took the #5 spot in our Best Colleges in Massachusetts rankings.
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Williams College landed the #21 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. Williams is a private not-for-profit institution located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 718 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
At Williams, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $75,520 for students who receive no aid. This means that the average student pays around $308,122 to get a bachelor’s degree from Williams. Graduating sooner can prevent you from having to pay more money out of pocket.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. Williams did well in our quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our Best Colleges in Massachusetts list.
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Bentley University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 1,106 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
The average student at Bentley graduates in less than 4.1 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $71,320 for students who receive no aid. Putting this cost and the average time to graduate together, we find that the average amount you’ll pay to get a bachelor’s degree from Bentley is $292,412. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Bentley also is in the top 20% of our Best Colleges in Massachusetts ranking.
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With a ranking of #23, Babson College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts list. Babson College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 548 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
At Babson College, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.0 years, and the yearly average cost to attend the school is $72,378 for students who receive no aid. Looking at these numbers together, we estimate that the average cost of a bachelor’s degree from Babson College is about $291,683. When you graduate sooner, you can save a lot of money.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Babson College excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Colleges in Massachusetts list.
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Stonehill College landed the #24 spot on the 2021 Best Value Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Easton, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 719 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
It takes about 4.1 years for the average student at Stonehill to complete their degree, and the average full-time cost to attend the school for students who receive no aid is around $63,540. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Stonehill be around $257,972. The sooner a student graduates, the more money they can save.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
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Gordon College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for the Money in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Wenham, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 497 bachelor’s degrees in 2018-2019.
At Gordon College, the average time it takes a student to graduate is 4.2 years, and on average, the annual cost to attend the school is $52,100 for students who receive no aid. This makes the estimated cost of a bachelor’s degree from Gordon College be around $218,820. If you can shave even one term off your degree, you can save a substantial amount of money.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
- For our state-specific rankings, we use in-state tuition to calculate average cost. For our national and regional rankings, we use a weighted average of in-state and non-resident tuition.
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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