Best Online Community Colleges in Massachusetts
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Earning an associate degree online can help Massachusetts students save time and money on their degree while preparing to enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year college to finish their bachelor's program.
Our list of the best online community colleges in Massachusetts by Salary Score is designed to highlight schools whose graduates tend to earn higher starting salaries compared to others with the same degree nationwide. For more information on Salary Score or our rankings, see our methodology or learn more about OnlineU.
How We Rank "Best" Schools
The OnlineU research team ranks community colleges in each featured state using Salary Score, our proprietary measure of how graduates' earnings compare with those of students who earned the same associate degrees elsewhere. Using U.S. Department of Education earnings data, we compare each college's associate graduates with graduates of the same degrees nationwide, providing a degree-level perspective of financial outcomes rather than relying on institution-wide earnings.
When there isn't enough data to calculate a reliable Salary Score, we rank eligible schools by online enrollment, highlighting colleges with larger, more established distance-learning communities. While some of our rankings include partner schools, every school is evaluated using the exact same criteria.
Best Online Community Colleges in Massachusetts
| Rank | School | Salary Score | B+ | B | B | B- | B- | B- | B- | B- | N/A | N/A | N/A | 1 Student Review for Associate Degrees Aliyah Elkhabaz, Graduating 2027 Overall Rating: 5/5 I actually love Bunker Hill. I鈥檝e been there for like four years now and next year it will be my last year. I鈥檓 also attending the nursing program with them as well. I really love the professors there. They鈥檙e so helpful. They encouraged me so much to... Read More Student Review Summary: Reviews describe a highly supportive experience centered on accessibility, flexibility, and attentive guidance. Students praise the college for offering many class options across multiple locations, along with online access that makes scheduling easier. Staff are repeatedly highlighted for being responsive with practical needs, especially course planning and financial aid support, which reduces common enrollment stress. Faculty also stand out as a major strength; reviewers say instructors are helpful, encouraging, and genuinely invested in learning. A notable takeaway is that the college feels accommodating to different goals and circumstances, creating an environment where students feel supported both administratively and academically. This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.
#2 N/A Overall Rating N/A Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Quinsigamond Community College () has several online programs you can pursue. The community college offers 12 associate degrees and seven certificates that are 100% online, alongside a handful of degrees with minimal in-person requirements. You can opt for programs in healthcare, accounting, administration, human services, sociology, history, business administration, and other areas of study. Why we like them: If you’re looking to graduate fast, consider attending QCC. The community college offers seven-week online courses that can help you graduate more quickly so you can move on to your next career. In addition, QCC’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education offers high-quality and low-cost training programs to help people learn the skills and knowledge for their careers. We appreciate that QCC strives to ensure students become well-rounded professionals.
#3 4.0 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend 100% Helpful for Career Greenfield Community College () provides applicants with a choice of a few online associate degrees, plus one certificate. Students earning their associate degree can choose a program in social sciences, liberal arts, English, or business administration. GCC's online certificate is a shorter program in management that students can also use to satisfy some business administration degree requirements if they later decide to enroll in that program. Why we like them: GCC offers the same suite of services and resources to its distance learners that it offers to those living on campus. This includes access to digital library resources and scheduled remote meetings with academic advisors, financial aid representatives, and career counselors. Just under half of GCC students are 25 or older, so instructors and staff have experience when it comes to meeting the educational needs of online adult learners who may have jobs and families. 1 Student Review for Associate Degrees paula maling, Graduated 1980 Overall Rating: 4/5 I had a very positive experience while attending GCC. It is a community college so the student teacher ratio was great - small class size. Most professors were available for extra help before and after classes. Even though it is mainly a commuter school,... Read More
#4 4.0 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Mount Wachusett Community College () offers seven online associate degrees and five online certificate programs you can pursue. These programs span majors like business administration, fire science, liberal arts and sciences, legal studies, and other areas of study. Online classes are instructor-led, just like they are on campus, and follow a similar schedule. Why we like them: MWCC strives to support its students beyond the classroom in order to ensure their most basic needs are met. This online community college offers career services, veterans services, and even a food pantry for students who may face challenges with getting basic supplies. MWCC also offers mental health services for any students in need. 1 Student Review for Associate Degrees Overall a positive experience, Graduated 2023 Overall Rating: 4/5 I attended MWCC for five semesters before I decided to transfer. My main reason for transfer is because I plan to work toward a bachelors degree and wanted 8 week terms which MWCC doesnt offer. I had decent professors, some better than others but no major... Read More
#5 N/A Overall Rating N/A Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Massachusetts Bay Community College () offers a broad range of online associate degrees and certificates in business, paralegal studies, and communications. You can opt for a specific major or earn a general studies degree to apply toward a future bachelor's program. The college's most popular associate degrees and certificates are in liberal arts and sciences, healthcare, business, and automotive repair. Why we like them: MassBay offers an online Associate in Science - Accounting MassTransfer program. According to the community college, this degree serves two purposes for online students. The online degree prepares you to assume entry-level roles in accounting and allows you to transfer the degree under the MassTransfer Compact to Massachusetts universities and colleges. Since some students pursue an associate degree as a stepping stone to a four-year degree, we like that MassBay offers a MassTransfer program.
#6 N/A Overall Rating N/A Recommend N/A Helpful for Career At Middlesex Community College (), you can earn online associate degrees in fields such as computer science, fashion merchandising, English literature, mathematics, and psychology. Many of these online associate degrees can be easily transferred to a four-year institution. The college also offers online certificate programs in computerized accounting, small business management, hospitality, travel services management, and cybersecurity. Why we like them: Alumni of MCC qualify for a range of benefits after graduation. These benefits include professional development resources, financial coaching, discounts on community education classes, and networking opportunities. Typically, once you graduate, you lose most, if not all, of the resources you had during your degree. Fortunately, MCC has made efforts to keep alumni connected to the school through these resources and other efforts. We wish more schools would follow suit.
#7 4.25 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend 100% Helpful for Career Northern Essex Community College () offers a few associate degree programs completely online and many more that are available almost entirely online. The fully online degree options are in business, criminal justice, and general studies with a health specialization (covering subjects such as health informatics and nutrition). The college also has several free online certificate programs about drinking water treatment topics. Why we like them: NECC serves a diverse cross-section of students. About 45% identify as Hispanic or Latinx, 25% are 26 or older, and more than 60% are female. In addition, nearly half are the first generation in their families to attend college. Students in any of these categories might take comfort in knowing that they’ll be among people with similar backgrounds. Additionally, about three-quarters of NECC students graduate without debt, which is ideal for their financial future. 2 Student Reviews for Associate Degrees Tabitha, Graduated 2011 Overall Rating: 4/5 Much of the time first year students aren't too sure about their career goals. Essex community College is a great place to complete all those general education requirements whilst you are making a decision about what you actually want to do in life. Why... Read More Megan May, Graduated 2017 Overall Rating: 5/5 Northern Essex Community College is a great college to start out in and complete your associates degree. The campus is well taken care of and quite equipped. There are many student resources, including but not limited to a great cafe, tutoring center,... Read More Student Review Summary: Reviews portray Northern Essex Community College as a strong starting point for people seeking affordability, flexibility, and time to clarify long-term goals. Students praise the well-maintained campus and breadth of support services, highlighting tutoring, advising, fitness facilities, labs, dining, and convenient spaces to study or gather. Flexible scheduling and early registration are seen as practical advantages, while dual-enrollment opportunities add value for those beginning early. Reviewers also note that success depends on using available resources proactively. A less obvious concern is that online or hybrid courses can feel more challenging, and textbook costs may require careful comparison before purchasing. This is an AI-generated overview of real student feedback submitted to OnlineU, highlighting common themes and insights. The summary was reviewed for accuracy.
#8 3.0 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend 100% Helpful for Career Springfield Technical Community College () has a variety of online certificates and associate degrees on offer. The college has programs in applied psychology, urban studies, general studies, elementary education, cybersecurity, criminal justice, and many more. Certain programs are transfer degrees designed to meet Mass Transfer program requirements so students can satisfy prerequisites for a bachelor’s degree at a Massachusetts public school. Why we like them: STCC has relatively large percentages of Black and Hispanic of Latinx students and an average student age of 25. Applicants with similar backgrounds might feel comfortable in this environment, where students have also organized groups such as the Black Student Association and the Black & Hispanic Women’s Association. The college also provides helpful orientations to online learning in general and the Blackboard learning management system in particular on its website to help ease students into the technical side of online learning. 1 Student Review for Associate Degrees Anonymous, Graduated 1989 Overall Rating: 3/5 Tell us about your college experience. I had already been employed as a Design Engineer when I enrolled at STCC. The classes that I took, and the fact that I earned my associate degree along with the 20 plus years of engineering experience I already had... Read More Would you get the same degree if you could start over? No. There are not enough opportunities in the Mechanical Engineering field in this area anymore. If I went back today, I would choose something in the medical profession. What advice can you offer other students?
#9 1.86 / 5 Overall Rating N/A Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Bristol Community College () offers 10 fully online associate degrees, four online certificates, and a wide range of hybrid options requiring limited time on campus. You can earn an associate degree in specific fields such as business administration, behavioral and social sciences, or computer information systems to transfer to a four-year program or prepare for a career in the field. If you plan to attend a four-year institution, BCC’s online degrees are transferable. Why we like them: As a distance learner, you can get the necessary tools and knowledge to succeed at BCC. This community college offers digital tools such as library services, a virtual bookstore, remote tutoring, and technical support. BCC also has the Bristol Mobile App, so you can access resources on the go. We appreciate that BCC ensures that its students have a great online learning experience.
#10 4.43 / 5 Overall Rating 100% Recommend 100% Helpful for Career Massasoit Community College () features a collection of degrees and certificates to online learners. Associate degree students can apply for programs in subjects such as computer science, criminal justice, liberal arts, psychology, or business administration with a choice of three concentrations. MCC also has certificates to add professional skills in private security, Java programming, computerized accounting, and more. Why we like them: MCC serves a population in which the majority of students come from underrepresented backgrounds. The college is committed to helping students meet their educational and career goals. For example, some associate degrees are transfer programs designed to ease graduates’ entry to public Massachusetts colleges, but others are intended to help graduates find jobs in their chosen fields. MCC regularly meets with committees of relevant employers in various industries to advise on the curriculum of occupation-specific degrees. 1 Student Review for Associate Degrees June, Graduated 2018 Overall Rating: 4/5 I can say I was a fan of any female teacher I had, but overall I loved the school. They have tutors included in the price of school. The teachers are really there to support you. Only a few were there for a paycheck. I would do it again in a heartbeat!... Read More
#11 N/A Overall Rating N/A Recommend N/A Helpful for Career Holyoke Community College () offers 10 online associate degrees. Majors include business administration, criminal justice, hospitality management, human resource management, liberal arts, and marketing. Online certificates help you gain job-readiness skills for direct workforce entry and include skill-building in addiction studies, mental health studies, human services, and direct support for developmental disabilities. Why we like them: In addition to financial aid, HCC's online students may be eligible for scholarships. HCC offers a plethora of scholarships that can help lower the cost of your online tuition. The HCC Foundation awarded over $300,000 in scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year to 249 recipients. We know that the cost of tuition can be a deciding factor in choosing an online school, so we like that HCC awards several scholarship opportunities.
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