Best Value Online Colleges in Massachusetts 2021

The top online college in Massachusetts, UMass Lowell offers over fifty undergraduate and graduate degrees entirely online. Undergraduate programs that can lead to a fulfilling career include criminal justice, information technology, and psychology. The school features more than a dozen master's and doctoral programs for future leaders in the education field from which to choose.

Although course and graduation requirements vary, many programs allow online learners to select from different class formats: asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid. Students use Blackboard to access course content and communicate with professors and peers. Prospective learners can test drive a course to determine whether UMass Lowell will meet their education needs.

Undergraduate and graduate programs use separate application forms, and freshman applicants submit GED or HiSET scores. Graduate admission requirements include a statement of purpose, recommendation letters, and GRE or GMAT scores. UMass Lowell does not charge out-of-state degree- and certificate-seekers more in tuition.

Prospective students researching Massachusetts online colleges should consider UMass Dartmouth, as the university offers numerous undergraduate and graduate degrees, including certificates. Unique options for bachelor's degree-seekers include operations management, management information systems, and anthropology. Online master's degrees train the next generation of healthcare and education leaders.

Visitors to the UMass Dartmouth website can view a sample course before applying. Courses feature numerous video tutorials that help learners new to online learning succeed academically. Additionally, the university's IT services provide assistance at any time of day.

Admission requirements for undergraduates include high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, and a 500-word personal statement. Graduate programs ask for two recommendation letters, and some applicants may need to submit GRE or GMAT scores. Like other Massachusetts public universities, UMass Dartmouth charges the same per-credit tuition rate to all online learners regardless of residency.

An online college in Massachusetts situated in Longmeadow, Bay Path offers online undergraduate degrees for women and graduate programs that also accept men. Online bachelor's degrees include counseling foundations, criminal justice, and digital forensics and incident response. Master's and doctoral students can select an online degree from ten academic areas, such as applied behavior analysis and education.

Bay Path's online degrees use the Canvas content management system and an asynchronous format. Courses feature a course map and modules to keep students on track, and professors communicate with learners through Canvas Messenger. Also, no course requires that students visit a testing center for exams or other assessments.

Application materials for prospective undergraduates include transcripts and FAFSA results. Graduate applicants may need to submit a personal essay, a resume, and two recommendation letters. Bay Path offers many institutional scholarship opportunities for online learners.

UMass Amherst's online programs in Massachusetts attract recent high school graduates and nontraditional learners who want to advance their career and salary potential. New programs include a bachelor's degree in nursing and graduate certificates in public administration and engineering project management. The school features over thirty options for bachelor's degree-completion students.

Individuals can view an online course demonstration before applying. Virtual resources for online learners include 24/7 tech support, library services, and academic advising. Additionally, UMass Amherst promotes students' academic success by offering all online courses in an asynchronous format, perfect for degree- and certificate-seekers who work or raise children.

Admission requirements for undergraduates without prior college experience include high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and a 500-word essay detailing leadership potential and academic interests. Prospective graduate students may need to submit standardized test scores, depending on the program. Incoming learners can research and apply for institutional aid on UMass Amherst's Our Opportunities website.

An online college in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Lesley features more than 20 asynchronous online programs. Areas of study include art and design, business management, and education. Graduate degrees feature academic flexibility, as learners can select from up to five concentrations. Additionally, Lesley appeals to practicing teachers, as individual online courses may count toward professional development requirements.

Academic support services for online learners include free 50-minute tutoring sessions. The Center for the Adult Learner assists nontraditional students with transferring credits and applying their professional experience in the virtual classroom. Degree- and certificate-seekers can also access extensive library resources, such as citation guides and databases.

Undergraduate applicants submit high school transcripts or GED scores if they do not possess at least 60 transferable credits. Requirements for graduate degree- and certificate-seekers vary by program. Lesley offers institutional grants and scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students and does not ask for a separate scholarship application.