Massachusetts Student Loans, Financial Aid & College Costs
Massachusetts College Cost Snapshot (2025-26)
Published tuition and cost-of-attendance averages across Massachusetts institutions.
Top Massachusetts Colleges by Published Tuition (2025-26)
Tuition and fees only. Click any column header to sort.
| School ↕ | Type ↕ | In-state T&F ↕ | Out-of-state T&F ↕ | Undergrad Enroll. ↕ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Massachusetts Amherst | Public 4-yr | $17,357 | $40,937 | 25,600 |
| UMass Boston | Public 4-yr | $14,949 | $36,559 | 11,500 |
| UMass Lowell | Public 4-yr | $15,760 | $35,060 | 12,800 |
| UMass Dartmouth | Public 4-yr | $14,857 | $30,869 | 6,300 |
| Salem State University | Public 4-yr | $11,854 | $17,994 | 5,800 |
| Framingham State University | Public 4-yr | $11,730 | $17,870 | 3,300 |
| Harvard University | Private | $57,261 | $57,261 | 7,200 |
| MIT | Private | $61,990 | $61,990 | 4,600 |
| Boston College | Private | $66,630 | $66,630 | 9,500 |
| Boston University | Private | $67,192 | $67,192 | 17,000 |
| Bunker Hill CC | Community | $6,132 | $12,264 | 9,900 |
Massachusetts State-Funded Aid Programs
Administered by the Department of Higher Education (DHE) and MEFA.
MASSGrant / MASSGrant Plus
MASSGrant covers tuition and fees at MA public institutions for Pell-eligible residents. MASSGrant Plus extends to additional unmet need.
MassReconnect
Free tuition and fees at MA community colleges for state residents age 25+ who have not yet earned a college degree.
MassEducate (Free Community College)
Free community college for all Massachusetts residents, regardless of age, launched fall 2024.
John and Abigail Adams Scholarship
Tuition waiver at MA state universities and community colleges for students with top 25% MCAS scores.
Paul Tsongas Scholarship
Full tuition, fees, and book allowance at MA state universities for top-performing MA high school grads.
Student Loan Options for Massachusetts Students
Start with federal aid before considering private loans. Federal borrower protections are stronger and rates are fixed.
Does Massachusetts have a state student loan program?
Yes. Massachusetts offers the MEFA Loan — a state-affiliated nonprofit lender. The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) has offered fixed-rate nonprofit undergraduate loans since 1982. Often prices below major private banks and carries no application or origination fees. Massachusetts residents should still start with federal loans through the FAFSA, but the MEFA is worth comparing alongside national private lenders.
The order to follow
- File the FAFSA to unlock federal Pell Grants, Massachusetts state grants, and Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized loans.
- Apply scholarships and 529 savings before borrowing a dollar. Every $1,000 in free aid saves roughly $1,400 in total loan cost over 10 years.
- Max federal Direct Loans next. Fixed rates, income-driven repayment, and forgiveness programs aren't available on private loans.
- Compare private student loans only for any remaining gap. Shop at least 3 lenders; cosigner rates typically run 1-3 points lower.
Private Student Loan Lenders We Recommend
If you've exhausted federal aid and still need to borrow, these are the lenders we track for rates and terms.
Credible
One form, prequalified offers from multiple private lenders. Shop rates without multiple hard credit pulls.
Compare Rates at Credible →College Ave
Flexible term lengths, no application or origination fees, and fast decisions.
Get A Quote At College Ave →Sallie Mae
Long-established lender with options for undergraduate, graduate, and career training programs.
See Sallie Mae Rates →Advertiser disclosure: The College Investor earns a commission from some of the lenders listed above. Our rankings are independent — compensation does not influence order or editorial recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from Massachusetts students and families.
How much does college cost in Massachusetts?
Average in-state tuition and fees at Massachusetts public four-year universities is about $16,800 for 2025-26. Total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses) averages roughly $31,400 on campus for Massachusetts residents and $42,100 for non-residents.
What is the average student loan debt in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts borrowers carry an average federal student loan balance of roughly $35,800. Total outstanding federal student debt for Massachusetts residents is approximately $32.1 billion.
Does Massachusetts offer state-funded college grants?
Yes. Massachusetts has one of the most generous state aid systems in the country. Primary programs include MASSGrant and MASSGrant Plus (up to full tuition at public schools), MassEducate (free community college for all residents), the Adams Scholarship, and the Paul Tsongas Scholarship.
Does Massachusetts have a state student loan program?
Yes. MEFA Loan is a state-affiliated nonprofit lender serving Massachusetts residents. The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) has offered fixed-rate nonprofit undergraduate loans since 1982. Often prices below major private banks and carries no application or origination fees.
Which Massachusetts colleges have the lowest in-state tuition?
Massachusetts community colleges are now tuition-free for all state residents through MassEducate. Among public four-year schools, Framingham State is lowest at $11,730. UMass Amherst carries the highest in-state rate at $17,357.
What scholarships are available for Massachusetts residents?
Key awards include MASSGrant, MASSGrant Plus, MassEducate free community college, the Adams Scholarship (tuition waiver), and the Paul Tsongas Scholarship (full tuition). Harvard, MIT, BC, and BU offer substantial institutional aid with need-blind admissions.
Related Massachusetts Resources
How We Sourced This Data
- Institutional cost pages at Massachusetts public universities (2025-26 published rates)
- Education Data Initiative state-level debt and cost tables
- Mass DHE and MEFA program pages
- NCES IPEDS data for enrollment and institutional cost profiles
Editor: Clint Proctor Reviewed by: Chris Muller