6 Cheapest Community Colleges in Massachusetts 2025
Key Takeaways
- Some community colleges in Massachusetts offer financial help, like scholarships and grants.
- Community colleges in Massachusetts charge about $4,424 per year for in-state students.
- Community colleges offer quality education at budget-friendly prices, ensuring that higher education remains accessible to all.
Top Ten Cheapest Community Colleges in Massachusetts in 2025
2025 Ranking Update
Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.
In our 2025 ranking update to the cheapest community colleges in Massachusetts, our top schools saw a fair amount of shuffling. Bristol Community College gained the most positions, due to several key improvements that will appeal to students seeking affordable, career-focused education. The college has expanded its academic offerings with new programs in renewable energy, healthcare, and technology, areas with strong job market growth. Additionally, the college has strengthened its student support services, including increased access to mental health resources, career counseling, and financial aid opportunities.
Cheapest Community Colleges in Massachusetts
Tuition + fees
$7K
Graduation
16%
Student body
4K
Career Outlook for degree at Quincy College
Cost of Degree: $7,536Starting Salary: $45,600Overview of Quincy College
- In-State Tuition: $4,846, slightly above the state average, showing a notable 23% decrease over the past four years.
- Out-of-State tuition: $4,846, below the state average, with a 23% decrease over the same period.
- Focus Areas: Business, Liberal Arts and Humanities, and Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration.
What do we love about Quincy College?
Quincy College is a two-year college in Massachusetts for students based in Greater Quincy, Plymouth, Boston, and the South Shore. The college is open to everyone and values diversity and learning for life. It focuses on quality teaching and learning in all its programs.
Currently, it has 3,154 students, with 37% full-time. The student-to-teacher ratio is 13:1, higher than the state average.
- Quincy College is great for students who: Quincy College’s tuition rates, combined with its commitment to quality education and accessibility, make it an attractive option for students seeking affordable yet excellent higher education opportunities in Massachusetts.
- Quincy College might not be the best fit for students who: Prefer a campus with residential facilities, as Quincy College is a commuter school with no on-campus housing.
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
17%
Student body
13K
Career Outlook for degree at Bunker Hill Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,520Starting Salary: $39,500Overview of Bunker Hill Community College
- In-State Tuition: $3,384, which is lower than the state average and has decreased 19% over four years.
- Out-of-State Tuition: $8,328, also below the state average, with a decrease of 9% over the same period.
- Focus Areas: Arts and Science, nursing, business, hospitality, culinary arts, early childhood development, electronics, and computer applications.
What do we love about Bunker Hill Community College?
Bunker Hill Community College, founded in 1973, offers various graduate and post-graduate programs. They believe in making higher education accessible through different learning methods, including distance learning and self-directed study.
This institute offers distance learning, honors programs, and ESL courses. At Bunker Hill, about 9,924 students are enrolled, with 35% studying full-time. The student-to-teacher ratio is 15:1, higher than the state junior college average, ensuring personalized student attention and support.
- Bunker Hill Community College is great for students who: Its low tuition and the commitment to quality education and student support make Bunker Hill an attractive option for those seeking affordable and diverse higher education opportunities in Massachusetts.
- Bunker Hill Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Students looking for a campus with a traditional college feel may find BHCC’s urban setting and commuter campus lacking in on-campus housing and the typical residential college experience.
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
14%
Student body
2K
Career Outlook for degree at Roxbury Community College
Cost of Degree: $6,096Starting Salary: $37,600Overview of Roxbury Community College
- In-State Tuition: $3,962, less than the state average, has decreased 10% over four years.
- Out-of-State tuition: $9,266, lower than the state average, remaining relatively stable over four years.
- Focus Areas: Math, nursing, science, and tech.
What do we love about Roxbury Community College?
Roxbury Community College is a city college dedicated to helping communities, especially those with many minorities and new immigrants. The college believes everyone should learn, get skills, and reach their educational dreams. Its goal is to offer degrees, certificates, and programs that help students learn for life, find jobs, be good citizens, and act ethically.
This institute has a student body of 1,200, of which 28% are full-time students. However, it ensures personalized attention with a student-to-teacher ratio of 4:1.
- Roxbury Community College is great for students who: Want diverse educational opportunities in Massachusetts based on Roxbury’s commitment to academic excellence and its focus on community service and affordable education.
- Roxbury Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Want a college experience without recent administrative upheavals.
- #5 Best Community Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #5 Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts 2025 #13 Best Online Associate in Communications #22 Best Online Associate in Liberal Arts 2025
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
22%
Student body
8K
Career Outlook for degree at Bristol Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,412Starting Salary: $35,100Overview of Bristol Community College
- In-State Tuition: $4,178, which is lower than the state average and has decreased by 10% over four years.
- Out-of-State tuition: $9,122, which is lower than the state average, remaining relatively stable over four years.
- Focus Areas: Liberal arts, practical education, and workforce development in health, engineering, technology, and business.
What do we love about Bristol Community College?
Bristol Community College serves as an educational hub for southeastern Massachusetts. It offers programs that support the region’s economic growth and help individuals make important life choices. To meet the needs of its diverse population and changing economy, the college provides comprehensive education and literacy services.
With a student-centered approach, Bristol forms partnerships with businesses, schools, and social service agencies to ensure the effectiveness of its programs. Currently, Bristol serves 6,256 students, with 43% enrolled full-time. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10:1, which is higher than the state city college average.
- Bristol Community College is great for students who: Want accessible education and are interested in strong community partnerships, making it a valuable asset for southeastern Massachusetts.
- Bristol Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Prefer a college with a long history of established programs and resources, as it has faced challenges in needing additional citations for verification and recognition within academic circles.
- #8 Best Community Colleges in Massachusetts 2025 #4 Best Online Associate in Sociology #6 Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts 2025
Tuition + fees
$5K
Graduation
18%
Student body
6K
Career Outlook for degree at Massachusetts Bay Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,616Starting Salary: $44,900Overview of Massachusetts Bay Community College
- In-State Tuition: $4,176, lower than the state average, decreased by 17% over four years.
- Out-of-State Tuition: $9,120, lower than the state average, with a 9% decrease over the same period.
- Focus Areas: Business, Humanities, STEM, Health Sciences, Legal Studies, Automotive Technology, and Education
What do we love about Massachusetts Bay Community College?
MassBay Community College is recognized as the top junior college in Massachusetts by the Brookings Institution. This honor is mainly attributed to the fact that its graduates tend to earn higher salaries despite paying lower tuition fees. This indicates that MassBay effectively delivers quality education at an affordable cost.
The college offers over 70 certificate programs and associate degrees across seven areas of study. These programs equip students with the skills and knowledge needed for their chosen career paths. Currently, MassBay serves 3,762 students, with 31% studying full-time. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11:1, higher than the state city college average.
- Massachusetts Bay Community College is great for students who: Are seeking diverse educational opportunities in Massachusetts with affordable education and quality outcomes.
- Massachusetts Bay Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Prefer attending a school with a more widely recognized national profile, as concerns regarding the notability and recognition of the institution have been raised
- #8 Best Online Associate in Hospitality and Tourism #10 Best Online Associate Degrees in Massachusetts 2025 #20 Best Online Associate in Human Resources
Tuition + fees
$6K
Graduation
25%
Student body
5K
Career Outlook for degree at Holyoke Community College
Cost of Degree: $5,810Starting Salary: $34,900Overview of Holyoke Community College
- In-State Tuition: $3,838, which is below the state average and has decreased by 17% over four years.
- Out-of-State tuition: $8,782, also below the state average, with an 8% decrease over the same period.
- Focus Areas: Health Education, Business, and Culinary Arts centers.
What do we love about Holyoke Community College?
Holyoke Community College (HCC), the first two-year college in the Commonwealth, offers top-quality, affordable education. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, HCC caters to a diverse community with over 80 degree and certificate programs.
It offers flexible classes, including online and evening options. HCC’s courses provide modern student success resources. Serving 4,209 students, 35% full-time, HCC maintains a low student-teacher ratio of 7:1.
- Holyoke Community College is great for students who: HCC’s commitment to accessible education and track record of excellence makes it a top choice for students seeking quality education in Massachusetts.
- Holyoke Community College might not be the best fit for students who: Prefer brand new facilities, as the main campus and some of its buildings have been around since the 1970s.
Feeling overwhelmed by high tuition costs for higher education? Many students do not consider higher education due to the hefty costs associated with it. Luckily, community colleges in Massachusetts offer affordable graduate and post-graduate programs.
We have compiled a list of the cheapest community colleges in Massachusetts to help you pick the best college without worrying about the hefty costs.
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Massachusetts’ Community Colleges
In Massachusetts, most community colleges charge about $4,424 annually for in-state students and $9,401 for out-of-state students. Here are some schools to consider if you’re looking for an affordable college in Massachusetts.
Back to TopStudent Submitted Questions About the Cheapest Community Colleges in Massachusetts
What is the largest community college in Massachusetts?
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is the largest two-year college in Massachusetts, with multiple campuses. Every year, over 16,000 students attend BHCC.
Are Massachusetts community colleges free?
No, Massachusetts community colleges are not entirely free. While some technical colleges in Massachusetts offer financial help, like scholarships and grants, students usually have to pay tuition and fees. However, the costs vary based on where you live and how much financial help you need.
What is the average cost for a community college in Massachusetts?
In Massachusetts, community colleges charge about $4,424 per year for in-state students and $9,401 for out-of-state students on average.
Conclusion
Private tuition is 282% more expensive than public and junior colleges. If the high costs of higher education demotivate you, consider enrolling in one of Massachusetts’ affordable technical colleges. These institutions offer quality education at budget-friendly prices, ensuring that higher education remains accessible to all. Take a closer look at the options listed above and find the one that best fits your aspirations.
