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Guide to Massachusetts Community Colleges

Community colleges have a lot to offer. Keep reading for a guide to Massachusetts community colleges, including the MassTransfer program, average costs, and locations! 

Massachusetts is an amazing state with abundant landscapes, beautiful foliage, and city views, making it a wonderful place to attend college! (Credit: Instagram @massachusetts_igers)

MASSACHUSETTS — All of us are navigating our own educational and professional paths. Some of us want to make our way up the academic totem poll, racking up degrees until we obtain a doctorate. Others might choose to attend a technical college instead — and specialize in plumbing, mechanics, or nursing. Many choose to skip college altogether and embrace experiential learning through travel or work opportunities. 

Too often, four-year institutions are touted as the only route to success and are painted as the ultimate pillars of knowledge. Don’t get us wrong — there are some amazing four-year institutions that offer robust academic support, career services, and thriving student organizations. However, it simply is not true that you must attend a four-year university to be successful, or that you must attend one right away. 

If you are someone who thrives in a school environment and enjoys taking classes but perhaps are not quite ready to attend a four-year university for personal or financial reasons, community college is a great alternative. Community colleges offer associate degrees, one-year certificates, or career certifications — all at lower rates than traditional universities. Plus, many community colleges offer special programs for veterans or dual enrollment for high school students. In short, anyone can benefit from the programs offered at community colleges. 

This article discusses the Massachusetts community college system including transfer programs, the enrollment process, and costs. Keep reading to learn more, and remember: community college is just as valid a choice as four-year universities, so get browsing and find your dream school! 

Applying to Community College

In Massachusetts, generally, students who have a high school diploma, GED, associate degree, or higher can enroll in community college. Some programs have a secondary selective admissions process with additional requirements to apply, but this only applies to select fields. There is an easy registration process on community college websites, with many different options ranging from earning a degree to just completing a few credits. After submitting a high school transcript (or mid-year transcript, if you are still in high school), and talking to an admissions counselor, you are admitted! While there are still placement tests to take and classes to register for, the initial process is completed (there is also no deadline for applying – community colleges process applications on a rolling basis).

A big benefit of attending community college is the cost compared to four-year universities, which is an important factor to consider when applying. In Massachusetts, the average cost of community college for the 2020-2021 academic year is $4,424 for in-state students and $9,401 for out-of-state students. This varies based on the specific college and number of credits, but the cost is much lower than universities and still provides a quality education. This low-cost option can also lead to exciting future educational opportunities, as discussed below. 

The MassTransfer Program

An excellent program for community college students is the MassTransfer Program, specifically the A2B Degree program. Students can first complete an associate degree at one of the many Massachusetts community colleges before transitioning to a Massachusetts State University or one of the University of Massachusetts campuses for a bachelor’s degree. If the student maintains at least a 2.50 GPA throughout the completion of the associate degree, they are guaranteed admission to one of the universities mentioned above, space permitting. Furthermore, if a 3.00 GPA is maintained, students are guaranteed admission and receive a significant tuition discount. This is an excellent option for students wishing to save money and still earn their bachelor’s degree at an accredited university, such as the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. All within 4 years!

Within the A2B program, as part of the Commonwealth Commitment, Massachusetts residents are offered a financial reduction if they commit to a 4-4.5 year track. Students must declare that they will complete their associate degree at a community college within 2.5 years, transfer to one of the universities mentioned above to earn their bachelor’s degree, and maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA. If they do this, all tuition and fees are frozen upon entry until they complete the program. Additionally, participants are offered a 10%  discount on all tuition and fees and guaranteed admission. This is another great option to continue on to a university with the stability of discounted tuition. 

Left: Community colleges have plentiful resources available for their students, such as free technology guides as an introduction to the tech industry (Credit: Instagram @northshorecc). Right: There are many useful places on Massachusetts campuses to study or work — the Health & Technology Center at Northern Essex CC is just one example (Credit: Instagram @northernessex)

Dual Enrollment

Massachusetts also offers the Dual Enrollment Partnership program with most community colleges, a viable option for many Massachusetts residents. Dual Enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn credit towards high school completion and future college degrees. There are a few requirements, but after submitting the application and taking the designated placement tests these students can enroll in college classes. This is a great way to earn credits before college and get a jump start on academics for a lower cost and close to home.

Left: This student first attended community college before transferring to a prestigious four-year university, discovering his passion first while saving money! (Credit: Instagram @northernessex) Middle: Graduation is an exciting milestone for any student, whether they are continuing to a university or diving right into the working world (Credit: Instagram @northernessex). Right: Community college alums go on to do incredible things, such as this Respiratory Therapist! (Credit: Instagram @northshorecc)

Massachusetts has 15 community colleges across the Commonwealth. You can visit Massachusetts’s Community Colleges website to find which college is closest to you and start the enrollment process. 

Massachusetts Community Colleges

Conclusion

While traditional four-year universities are a great option for some, community college can provide a more affordable and accessible way to obtain a degree. It is easy to apply to any of Massachusetts’s 15 community colleges, and they offer online and in-person classes in a wide variety of academic subjects. It can be either a full education or just a stop on the way to a university —the MassTransfer program provides a smooth transition to earning your bachelor’s degree at an esteemed Massachusetts state institution. If you are a high schooler or have one at home, check out the Dual Enrollment program to learn more about you or your teenager’s areas of interest. Society may make us believe that going to university right after high school is what is best or needed, but for some that is simply not always the case. Whether it be for financial, geographical, or personal reasons, enrolling in community college is a viable way to earn a degree in an independent way.