2023 Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts
When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Our analysis looked at 45 schools in Massachusetts to see which associate degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our 2023 rankings named Bunker Hill Community College the most popular school in Massachusetts for students working on their associate degree. BHCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,185 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Massachusetts who attend BHCC full time pay an average of $5,280 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,224. On average, associate degree students take out $11,991 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out BHCC. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Out of the 45 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Bristol Community College landed the # 2 spot on the list. Bristol is located in Fall River, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,107 associate degrees to qualified students.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,208 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Bristol. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,152. Associate Degree recipients from Bristol accumulate an average of $11,401 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Bristol does offer online classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
The excellent associate degree programs at Quinsigamond Community College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the most popular schools in Massachusetts. Quinsigamond Community College is a medium-sized public school situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. It awarded 912 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,830 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend Quinsigamond Community College. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,774. On average, associate degree students take out $20,343 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Quinsigamond Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In 2019-2020 about 35% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Middlesex Community College is a great place for students working on their associate degree. This medium-sized public school is located in Bedford, Massachusetts, and it awarded 882 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Massachusetts who attend Middlesex Community College full time pay an average of $6,048 in tuition and fees. Out-of-state students pay an average of $12,120. Associate Degree recipients from Middlesex Community College accumulate an average of $13,346 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Online courses are available at Middlesex Community College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Springfield Technical Community College. The school came in at #5 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. STCC is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 780 associate degrees to qualified students.
Students from Massachusetts who attend STCC full time pay an average of $5,520 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,728. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $11,475 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 59% were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at STCC. In 2019-2020 about 93% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Massasoit Community College landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Brockton, Massachusetts, the medium-sized public school handed out 742 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Massasoit Community College is $5,160. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,104. Associate Degree recipients from Massasoit Community College accumulate an average of $12,132 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Massasoit Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 100% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
North Shore Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. North Shore Community College is a public institution located in Danvers, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 719 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees if they attend North Shore Community College full time. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $10,920. Associate Degree recipients from North Shore Community College accumulate an average of $15,244 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 64% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at North Shore Community College. During the 2019-2020 year, about 64% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Holyoke Community College landed the #8 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. This small public school is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and it awarded 684 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,378 in tuition and fees if they attend Holyoke Community College full time. Out-of-state students pay an average of $10,322. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,288 in student loans. Around 65% of those degree recipients were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Holyoke Community College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 99% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 488 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,544 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend NECC. Out-of-state students pay an average of $11,328. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,610 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
Online courses are available at NECC, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. During the 2019-2020 year, about 100% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
With a ranking of #10, Mount Wachusett Community College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their associate degree. Gardner, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 442 students in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,668 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MWCC. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,588. On average, associate degree students take out $12,274 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
MWCC does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 91% took at least some of their classes online.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. MassBay Community College is a public institution located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 426 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Full-time students from Massachusetts pay an average of $5,376 in tuition and fees if they choose to attend MassBay Community College. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,320. On average, associate degree students take out $10,712 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 49% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at MassBay Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 99% took at least some of their classes online.
Quincy College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Quincy College is a small public school situated in Quincy, Massachusetts. It awarded 384 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $7,176 to cover tuition and fees at Quincy College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,537 in student loans. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
One thing to take note of is that Quincy College does offer online classes in some areas. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 96% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Cape Cod Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. West Barnstable, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out associate degrees to 367 students in 2020-2021.
In-state students pay an average of $5,352 in tuition and fees if they attend Cape Cod Community College full time. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $10,296. Associate Degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College accumulate an average of $12,980 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
Depending on your major, you may be able to take online classes at Cape Cod Community College. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 48% took at least some of their classes online.
Laboure College landed the #14 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Laboure College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 291 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $32,813 to cover tuition and fees at Laboure College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $32,894 in student loans. Around 90% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, Laboure College is an excellent choice, since the school is online.
Greenfield Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Greenfield Community College is a public institution located in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 203 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average in-state tuition and fees for students at Greenfield Community College is $5,642. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,762. Associate Degree recipients from Greenfield Community College accumulate an average of $13,255 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Greenfield Community College does have options available for those who want to take online classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 90% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Berkshire Community College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. BCC is a public institution located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 180 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Students from Massachusetts who attend BCC full time pay an average of $5,492 in tuition and fees. If you are from out of state, expect to pay an average of $11,108. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $16,839 in student loans. Around 71% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at BCC. Of all the undergraduates enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 73% took at least some of their classes online.
Regis College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Located in Weston, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 156 associate degree awards in 2020-2021.
On average, associate degree students take out $28,943 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.
You may have the opportunity to take online classes at Regis College. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 0% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Roxbury Community College landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Located in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 151 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
Students from Massachusetts who attend Roxbury Community College full time pay an average of $5,784 in tuition and fees. Those students who come from outside the state pay an average of $11,088. Associate Degree recipients from Roxbury Community College accumulate an average of $11,778 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 77% of those degree recipients were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Roxbury Community College does offer online classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of undergraduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.
Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. Lawrence Memorial is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Medford, Massachusetts. It awarded 113 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Lawrence Memorial, expect to pay an average of $27,080 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $32,625 in loans while pursuing their degree. Of those students who received their degree, 92% were women.
Dean College ranked #20 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 108 diplomas to qualifed associate degree students in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Dean College is $42,346. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Associate Degree recipients from Dean College accumulate an average of $15,188 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Interested in an online degree? Then you definitely want to check out Dean College. Every undergraduate student at the school took at least one class online.
Bard College at Simon’s Rock did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #21 on the list. Bard College at Simon’s Rock is a very small private not-for-profit school located in Great Barrington, Massachusetts that handed out 90 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees at Simon’s Rock is $62,433. In-state students do not receive a discount, however you may be able to reduce your price if you receive financial aid. Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at Simon’s Rock. In fact, around 47% of the undergraduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.
Urban College of Boston ranked #22 on this year’s Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. Urban College of Boston is a very small private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 89 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
Urban College of Boston does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $7,124. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $10,499 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 94% of those degree recipients were women.
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get an associate degree. It came in at #23 on the list. BFIT is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has a very small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 84 associate degrees to qualified students.
BFIT does not offer a discount to in-state students, so the average tuition and fees for all undergraduates is $17,550. This amount may be reduced if you receive financial aid. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,319 in student loans. Around 21% of those degree recipients were women.
Some students may be able to take online classes at BFIT. In 2019-2020 about 99% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Bay State College landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular associate degree programs. This very small private for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 75 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you want to attend Bay State College, expect to pay an average of $29,500 in tuition and fees. Of course, this could be reduced if you receive financial aid. On average, associate degree students take out $36,855 in loans while pursuing their degree. Around 68% of those degree recipients were women.
Online courses are available at Bay State College, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 54% of the undergraduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.
Fisher College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Fisher College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 42 associate degrees in 2020-2021.
If you don’t receive financial aid, you can expect a bill for $33,500 to cover tuition and fees at Fisher College. The school does not offer an in-state discount. By the time they get their associate degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $18,751 in student loans. Of those students who received their degree, 90% were women.
If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Fisher College does offer online classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 69% of the undergraduates at the school took at least one online course.
Most Popular Associate Degree Schools in the New England Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
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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