Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
- 50
- Schools
- $59,839
- Avg. Earnings
- 53%
- Avg. Graduation
- $16,696
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,052
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $36,966 to $143,372, a 3.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Middlesex Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $50,651 in median earnings against $2,624 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Middlesex Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,624 a year in net price.
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Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, versus a 53% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.10× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Middlesex Community College ($50,651 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($143,372), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Middlesex Community College costs $2,624 a year and Smith College costs $27,579. Yet their graduates earn $50,651 and $64,027, nowhere near the $24,955 price gap.
- On value, Middlesex Community College beats Massachusetts Institute of Technology: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with Middlesex Community College and Harvard University. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $53K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Middlesex Community College #1 overall | $50,651 ▼ -15% vs avg | $2,624 | 23% | 88 |
| 2 Springfield Technical Community College #2 overall | $36,966 ▼ -38% vs avg | $5,662 | 29% | 82 |
| 3 Northern Essex Community College #3 overall | $42,862 ▼ -28% vs avg | $6,046 | 20% | 81 |
| $38,663 ▼ -35% vs avg | $5,547 | 22% | 80 | |
| $52,654 ▼ -12% vs avg | $7,169 | 16% | 79 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $59,839 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 53% and an average net price of $16,696.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Middlesex Community College — Net Price: $2,624 | Graduation Rate: 23%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Research Note
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$53,124
Median earnings (10yr)
53%
Median graduation rate
$16,924
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $53,124 ten years after enrollment, or about $5,124 above the $48,000 a typical American worker earns. The median graduation rate is 53%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $16,924 a year with about $19,500 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 32% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 1.8%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $16,924, with graduates earning a median of $53,124 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Middlesex Community College lands at #1 with a 88/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Graduates earn a median $50,651 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,624 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Springfield Technical Community College lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,966 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,662 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Northern Essex Community College lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $42,862 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,046 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Bristol Community College lands at #4 with a 80/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,663 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,547 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Massachusetts Bay Community College lands at #5 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,654 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,169 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Greenfield Community College lands at #6 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,132 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,679 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Mount Wachusett Community College lands at #7 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $41,118 a decade after enrolling, 31% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,931 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Bunker Hill Community College lands at #8 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,618 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,818 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Holyoke Community College lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $37,277 a decade after enrolling, 38% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Cape Cod Community College lands at #10 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,670 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,296 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Massasoit Community College lands at #11 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $46,111 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,460 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Quinsigamond Community College lands at #12 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,949 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,090 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
North Shore Community College lands at #13 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,000 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Berkshire Community College lands at #14 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $38,832 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,921 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Worcester State University lands at #15 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,624 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,381 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Fitchburg State University lands at #16 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $53,874 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,262 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Southeastern Technical Institute lands at #17 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (72/100). Net price runs $7,060 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Bay Path University lands at #18 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,383 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Bridgewater State University lands at #19 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,466 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,383 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Framingham State University lands at #20 with a 65/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,349 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,114 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Roxbury Community College lands at #21 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (33/100). Graduates earn a median $38,773 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,244 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Westfield State University lands at #22 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $57,346 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,721 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Salem State University lands at #23 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $56,662 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,996 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #24
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #24 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $48,102 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,068 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Williams College lands at #25 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (81/100). Graduates earn a median $88,665 a decade after enrolling, 48% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,716 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
University of Massachusetts-Lowell lands at #26 with a 62/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $64,874 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,163 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology lands at #27 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (71/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $57,556 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,488 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
University of Massachusetts-Boston lands at #28 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $65,865 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,707 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
College of Our Lady of the Elms lands at #29 with a 61/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,540 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,545 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Harvard University lands at #30 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 70% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Quincy College lands at #31 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,506 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,126 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cambridge, MA · 5% accepted · $20,111 net
Why it ranks #32
Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands at #32 with a 59/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $143,372 a decade after enrolling, 140% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
North Dartmouth, MA · 91% accepted · $20,927 net
Why it ranks #33
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth lands at #33 with a 55/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $68,804 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,927 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Massachusetts Maritime Academy lands at #34 with a 54/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $82,392 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,582 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #35 with a 52/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $71,631 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Amherst College lands at #36 with a 52/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,644 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,367 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
American International College lands at #37 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $53,124 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,274 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Boston University lands at #38 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Hampshire College lands at #39 with a 50/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,938 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,034 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Massachusetts College of Art and Design lands at #40 with a 49/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $43,582 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,100 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Gordon College lands at #41 with a 48/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $52,119 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,883 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Simmons University lands at #42 with a 48/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,494 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Wellesley College lands at #43 with a 48/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $84,803 a decade after enrolling, 42% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Mount Holyoke College lands at #44 with a 45/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,418 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,441 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Needham, MA · 25% accepted · $25,171 net
Why it ranks #45
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering lands at #45 with a 45/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (21/100). Graduates earn a median $129,455 a decade after enrolling, 116% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,171 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Fisher College lands at #46 with a 45/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $49,669 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,649 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Western New England University lands at #47 with a 44/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,157 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,290 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Emmanuel College lands at #48 with a 44/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $68,245 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,706 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Smith College lands at #49 with a 44/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $64,027 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,579 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Lasell University lands at #50 with a 43/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $49,705 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,511 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college is a significant decision, especially when affordability is a top concern. In Massachusetts, several colleges stand out not just for their low net prices, but also for their potential return on investment. For instance, the average net price among the top five schools on this list is just $5,621, making them accessible options for many families.
What sets these schools apart are their outcomes: average earnings, graduation rates, and student debt levels. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions is around $59,800, while the average graduation rate is 52%. This means that while affordability is essential, the potential for future earning power and completion rates are also vital factors to consider when exploring these options.
Take Middlesex Community College and Massachusetts Bay Community College, for example. Middlesex has a net price of $2,624 and graduates earn an average of $50,651, while Massachusetts Bay’s net price is higher at $7,169, with earnings of $52,654. This contrast highlights that lower costs can lead to solid outcomes, but it's important to weigh these factors against individual needs and goals as you explore your options further.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 41 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.4%, with Lasell University (3.1%) and American International College (2.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Roxbury Community College leads at 36.6%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 25.1% across this list. Massachusetts Institute of Technology posts the highest success rate at 66.5%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.51 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Boston University reaches 1.89, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When comparing Middlesex Community College and Bristol Community College, the differences in performance are striking. Middlesex boasts a lower net price of $2,624 compared to Bristol’s $5,547, yet graduates from Middlesex earn $50,651 annually, which is higher than Bristol’s $38,663. This raises important questions about the long-term return on investment for each institution.
As you sift through this list of 50 schools, it's crucial to align this data with your personal priorities. Consider factors like location, specific programs, campus culture, and financial circumstances. The figures can guide you, but your individual goals should ultimately shape your decision. Think about what matters most: is it a lower cost, higher earnings potential, or perhaps the type of degree you are pursuing?
This data reflects a broader truth about education's role in achieving financial stability. A college degree can significantly impact future earnings, but the choice of institution can make a substantial difference in that journey. For one family, choosing the right community college could mean the difference between manageable debt and a stable, rewarding career. It's a decision that carries weight and requires careful consideration.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts ranking? +
Middlesex Community College in Bedford, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $50,651 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 23% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $143,372 ten years after enrollment, well above the $59,839 average across the 49 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Middlesex Community College leads: graduates earn a median $50,651 against net price of about $2,624 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 53% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $16,696 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Middlesex Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,624. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
Related Rankings
