Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Massachusetts
The lowest net prices among colleges with an Academic Excellence grade of B or better.
Most affordable colleges with strong academics in Massachusetts47 schools
47 schools qualify, ranked by net price. The top 25 are shown.
How this list is made
- Schools in Massachusetts.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Academic Excellence grade B+ or better (the top 35% of rated colleges).
- Has a net price from federal data (the average yearly cost after grants, College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by net price, lowest first.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA · PublicGood: Compass grade B
- Net price $16,068 a year
- 56% graduate
- 2
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · PublicTop 20% for earnings
- Net price $17,163 a year
- 65% graduate
- 3
College of Our Lady of the Elms
Chicopee, MA · Private nonprofitTop 24% for graduation
- Net price $17,545 a year
- 68% graduate
- 4
Williams College
Williamstown, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $17,716 a year
- 94% graduate
- 5
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $19,066 a year
- 98% graduate
- 6
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofitHonor Roll#1 in Massachusetts
- Net price $20,111 a year
- 96% graduate
- 7
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA · PublicTop 7% for earnings
- Net price $21,582 a year
- 74% graduate
- 8
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $22,383 a year
- 83% graduate
- 9
Amherst College
Amherst, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $23,367 a year
- 94% graduate
- 10
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA · Private nonprofitGood: Compass grade B-
- Net price $24,034 a year
- 54% graduate
- 11
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Boston, MA · PublicTop 22% for graduation
- Net price $24,100 a year
- 69% graduate
- 12
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $24,402 a year
- 89% graduate
- 13
Gordon College
Wenham, MA · Private nonprofitVery good: Compass grade B+
- Net price $24,883 a year
- 69% graduate
- 14
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Needham, MA · Private nonprofitTop 1% for earnings
- Net price $25,171 a year
- 96% graduate
- 15
Simmons University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitExcellent: Compass grade A-
- Net price $25,265 a year
- 72% graduate
- 16
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- Net price $25,496 a year
- 92% graduate
- 17
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $26,441 a year
- 84% graduate
- 18
Emmanuel College
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitTop 16% for earnings
- Net price $26,706 a year
- 68% graduate
- 19
Western New England University
Springfield, MA · Private nonprofitTop 12% for earnings
- Net price $27,290 a year
- 64% graduate
- 20
Regis College
Weston, MA · Private nonprofitTop 18% for graduation
- Net price $27,477 a year
- 72% graduate
- 21
Smith College
Northampton, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $27,579 a year
- 89% graduate
- 22
Clark University
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- Net price $28,714 a year
- 77% graduate
- 23
Assumption University
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofitTop 11% for earnings
- Net price $29,498 a year
- 75% graduate
- 24
Suffolk University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Net price $29,618 a year
- 61% graduate
- 25
Wheaton College (Massachusetts)
Norton, MA · Private nonprofitTop 17% for earnings
- Net price $29,822 a year
- 73% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | $16,068 | $23,750 | $48,102 | 56% |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | $17,163 | $23,704 | $64,874 | 65% |
| College of Our Lady of the Elms | $17,545 | $25,000 | $51,540 | 68% |
| Williams College | $17,716 | $12,761 | $88,665 | 94% |
| Harvard University | $19,066 | $14,000 | $101,817 | 98% |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | $20,111 | $14,768 | $143,372 | 96% |
| Massachusetts Maritime Academy | $21,582 | $25,000 | $82,392 | 74% |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | $22,383 | $22,763 | $71,631 | 83% |
| Amherst College | $23,367 | $13,740 | $77,644 | 94% |
| Hampshire College | $24,034 | $26,893 | $46,938 | 54% |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | $24,100 | $25,755 | $43,582 | 69% |
| Boston University | $24,402 | $23,250 | $83,238 | 89% |
| Gordon College | $24,883 | $26,250 | $52,119 | 69% |
| Franklin W Olin College of Engineering | $25,171 | $19,500 | $129,455 | 96% |
| Simmons University | $25,265 | $24,840 | $63,494 | 72% |
| Wellesley College | $25,496 | $10,000 | $84,803 | 92% |
| Mount Holyoke College | $26,441 | $22,902 | $58,418 | 84% |
| Emmanuel College | $26,706 | $27,000 | $68,245 | 68% |
| Western New England University | $27,290 | $25,500 | $73,157 | 64% |
| Regis College | $27,477 | $25,500 | $52,873 | 72% |
| Smith College | $27,579 | $17,550 | $64,027 | 89% |
| Clark University | $28,714 | $26,759 | $62,381 | 77% |
| Assumption University | $29,498 | $27,000 | $74,895 | 75% |
| Suffolk University | $29,618 | $26,889 | $67,506 | 61% |
| Wheaton College (Massachusetts) | $29,822 | $26,000 | $67,725 | 73% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 5
- Arizona 4
- Arkansas 5
- California 63
- Colorado 6
- Connecticut 13
- District of Columbia 5
- Florida 21
- Georgia 9
- Illinois 21
- Indiana 21
- Iowa 16
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 7
- Louisiana 3
- Maine 9
- Maryland 15
- Michigan 20
- Minnesota 19
- Missouri 18
- Nebraska 8
- New Hampshire 5
- New Jersey 17
- New York 79
- North Carolina 17
- Ohio 33
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 11
- Pennsylvania 60
- Rhode Island 9
- South Carolina 10
- Tennessee 10
- Texas 20
- Utah 4
- Vermont 6
- Virginia 20
- Washington 13
- Wisconsin 15