What to Know about Massachusetts Community Colleges

Though so much of the higher education spotlight is on four-year colleges and universities, two-year community colleges can offer an affordable and valuable education, whether you plan to earn just an associate degree or use a community college as a starting point on the road to your bachelor's. In Massachusetts, we're fortunate to have 15 community colleges spread throughout the state, each one offering degrees on numerous subject matters. Students in the Commonwealth attending community college can also benefit from MassTransfer, a cost-saving program helping students save money on higher education. If you're considering a Massachusetts community college, our overview below can help you learn the basics about each one.

Berkshire Community College

• Location: Pittsfield and Great Barrington, MA
• Degrees: 40+ associate degree programs, 15+ certificate programs
• Student body: 2,000 credit students, 62% female, 22% non-white, 51% are 23 years of age or older
• Academics: Divisions: Business/Science/Math/Technology, Humanities, and Nursing/Health/Social Sciences
• Services & Activities: Tutoring, personal counseling, disability services, and a writing center; clubs include BCC Players, Student Government Association, Multicultural Student Services Organization, Student Veteran Alliance, and Practical Nursing Student Organization
• Tuition & Fees: $5,492
• Website: berkshirecc.edu

Bristol Community College

• Location: Fall River, Attleboro, New Bedford, and Taunton, MA
• Degrees: 150+ associate degree and certificate programs
• Student Body: 10,507 credit students, 62% female, 28% minority
• Academics: Divisions: Art & Humanities, Behavioral & Social Sciences & Education, Business & Information Management, Health Sciences, and Mathematics Science & Engineering
• Services & Activities: Career services, counseling services, and disability services; athletics, student leadership, and 17 student clubs
• Tuition & Fees: $4,850
• Website: bristolcc.edu

Bunker Hill Community College

• Location: Boston (Charlestown) and Chelsea, MA
• Degrees: 100+ associate degree and certificate programs
• Student Body: 61% students of color, 50% women, 1,000 international, average age: 26 years old
• Academics: Divisions: Behavioral, Social Sciences, & Global Learning, Health Sciences, Humanities & Learning Communities, Professional Studies, Science/Engineering/Matt, and Workforce & Economic Development
• Services & Activities: Tutoring & academic support, writing center, language lab, disability services, health services, athletics & wellness, and Veterans center; Student Government Association and 43 student clubs and organizations
• Tuition & Fees: $4,704
• Website: bhcc.edu

Cape Cod Community College

• Location: West Barnstable, MA
• Degrees: 41 associate degree programs, 41 certificate programs
• Student Body: 3,000 students, 69% part-time, 61% female, 25% students of color, 43% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Divisions: Behavioral/Social Science, Business, Education, Fine & Performing Arts, Health Science, Humanities, Public Safety, and STEM
• Services & Activities: Academic advising & support services, tutoring, math learning center, reading & writing resource center, disability services, Veteran services, and science lab; Student senate, intramural sports, leadership program, and 26 student clubs and organizations
• Tuition & Fees: $6,690
• Website: capecod.edu

Greenfield Community College

• Location: Greenfield, MA
• Degrees: 182 associate degree programs, 108 certificate programs
• Student Body: 2,500 credit students, 62% female, 22% students of color, 69% part-time, median age: 23 years old
• Academics: Divisions: Business, Education, Health & Helping Professions, Humanities & Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Nursing, Science/Math/Engineering/Technology, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Sustainability
• Services & Activities: Academic advising center, peer tutoring, counseling, disability services, wellness center, internships, and Veterans center; the Office of Student Activities & Community Service provide clubs, student government, and events
• Tuition & Fees: $6,782
• Website: gcc.mass.edu/

Holyoke Community College

• Location: Holyoke, MA
• Degrees: 69 associate degree programs, 29 certificate programs
• Student Body: 7,100 credit students, 63% female, 57% part-time, 40% minority, 33% older than 24 years old
• Academics: Divisions: Arts & Humanities, Business & Digital Learning, Health & Natural Sciences, Science/Technology/Engineering/Math, and Social Sciences & Integrative Learnings
• Services & Activities: Veterans services and health & wellness resources; athletics, 30 student clubs & organizations, as well as a radio station, newspaper, and literary magazine
• Tuition & Fees: $4,902
• Website: hcc.edu

Massasoit Community College

• Location: Brockton, Canton, and Middleborough, MA
• Degrees: 26 associate degree programs, 35 certificate programs
• Student Body: 8,732 students, 62% part-time, 57% female, 49% students of color, average age: 25
• Academics: 49 divisions of course subjects
• Services & Activities: Writing center, Veteran services, women's center, disability services, advising services, career services; athletics, theatre, a radio station, and 40 student clubs
• Tuition & Fees: $6,030
• Website: massasoit.edu

MassBay Community College

• Location: Wellesley Hills, Framingham, Ashland, MA
• Degrees: 37 associate degree programs, 32 certificate programs
• Student Body: 4,368 students, 66% part-time, 53% female, 50% students of color, 38% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Divisions: Automotive Technology, Business & Professional Studies, Health Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences & Science, and STEM
• Services & Activities: Counseling services, Veteran and military services, internships, career and internship services, and wellness center; athletics, student government, civic engagement, and 20 student clubs
• Tuition & Fees: $5,232
• Website: massbay.edu

Middlesex Community College

• Location: Bedford, Lowell, MA
• Degrees: 62 associate degree programs, 27 certificate programs
• Student Body: 12,009 students, 43% students of color, 59% female, 68% part-time, 33% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Several different course subjects ranging from Business to Dental Hygiene to Paralegal Studies to Fine & Performing Arts
• Services & Activities: Career and transfer center, tutoring, counseling, disability services, Veterans resource center, and multicultural office; community engagement, student government, and more than 40 student clubs and organizations
• Tuition & Fees: $7,400
• Website: middlesex.mass.edu

Mount Wachusett Community College

• Location: Gardner, Leominster, Fitchburg, Devens, MA
• Degrees: 44 associate degree programs, 26 certificate programs
• Student Body: 3,854 students, 63% female, 65% part-time, 33% students of color, 41% age 25 or older
• Academics: Divisions: Arts, Business, Communications, Community, Education, General, Health, History, Math, Public & Social Services, Sciences, Technology, and Vocational
• Services & Activities: Career services, counseling, disability services, tutoring, and Veterans services; over 30 student clubs and organizations, leadership training, theatre, volunteering, and student government
• Tuition & Fees: $5,328
• Website: mwcc.edu

Northern Essex Community College

• Location: Haverhill, Lawrence, MA
• Degrees: 45 associate degree programs, 23 certificate programs
• Student Body: 5,233 students, 61% female, 57% students of color, 34% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Divisions: American Sign Language Studies, Art & Design, Business, Communication Arts, Computer & Information Science, Criminal Justice, Education, General Studies, Health, Human Services, Liberal Arts, Performing Arts, Science, Technology & Engineering
• Services & Activities: Learning accommodations, tutoring, counseling, Veteran and military services, career services, and childcare; athletics, over 20 student clubs, student government, theater, and civic engagement
• Tuition & Fees: $5,088
• Website: necc.mass.edu

North Shore Community College

• Location: Danvers, Lynn, Middleton, MA
• Degrees: 45 associate degree programs, 28 certificate programs
• Student Body: 5,763 students, 65% part-time, 63% female, 45% students of color, 39% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Several different course subjects ranging from Accounting to Baking & Pastry to Computer Information Systems to Surgical Technology
• Services & Activities: TRIO student support, transfer services, Veterans services, and student success centers; student government, program council, and 34 student clubs
• Tuition & Fees: $5,184
• Website: northshore.edu

Quinsigamond Community College

• Location: Worcester, Southbridge, Assabet, Blackstone Valley, MA
• Degrees: 60+ associate degree programs, 50+ certificate programs
• Student Body: 7,263 students, 65% part-time, 58% female, 46% students of color, 39% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Divisions: Business/Financial/Hospitality Management, Computer & Information Technology, Education, Engineering & Engineering Technology, Healthcare, Installation/Maintenance/Repair Technologies, Liberal Arts/Sciences & General Studies, and Public & Social Services
• Services & Activities: Tutoring, math center, writing center, counseling, disability services, mentoring, and TRIO; athletics, 26 student clubs, student senate, and community service
• Tuition & Fees: $4,848
• Website: qcc.edu

Roxbury Community College

• Location: Roxbury Crossing, MA
• Degrees: 24 associate degree programs, 6 certificate programs
• Student Body: 2,007 students, 83% part-time, 70% female, 93% students of color, 62% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Divisions: Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences, STEM, and Health Sciences
• Services & Activities: Veteran services, tutoring, career development & internships; athletics, media arts center, student government, and 12 student clubs
• Tuition & Fees: $5,064
• Website: rcc.mass.edu

Springfield Technical Community College

• Location: Springfield, MA
• Degrees: 61 associate degree programs, 33 certificate programs
• Student Body: 4,921 students, 57% part-time, 59% female, 57% students of color, 40% are age 25 or older
• Academics: Divisions: Advanced Manufacturing & Engineering Tech, Art, Business, Cosmetology, Digital media, Fire Protection & Safety Tech, Health, Liberal Arts, Science & Engineering, Architecture & Building Tech, Auto Tech, Computer Info Tech, Criminal Justice, HVAC, Graphic Communication & Photo, Landscape Design & Management, Office Info Tech, and Teacher Training
• Services & Activities: Career support, access services, childcare, disability services, transfer services, TRIO, tutoring, Veterans/service member services, writing center; athletics, multicultural affairs, theater, student government, student ambassador program, and clubs & organizations
• Tuition & Fees: $5,328
• Website: stcc.edu