Cheapest Community Colleges in Massachusetts: Tuition Under $5K (2026)
GradeToGrad Editorial Team
April 11, 2026
Massachusetts has 15 community colleges with in-district tuition as low as $2,400/year. Here are the cheapest options and how to pay even less with financial aid.
Massachusetts has 15 community colleges spread across the state, and all of them are significantly cheaper than the state's famously expensive four-year universities. If you are looking for the most affordable path to a degree or career certificate, here is what to expect.
Massachusetts has 15 community colleges spread across the state, and all of them are significantly cheaper than the state's famously expensive four-year universities. If you are looking for the most affordable path to a degree or career certificate, here is what to expect.
What Community College Costs in Massachusetts
Massachusetts community college tuition and fees for in-state students typically run $2,400–$4,800 per year for full-time enrollment (24–30 credits). This is a fraction of the cost at UMass Amherst (~$16,000/year) or any of the state's private universities ($40,000–$60,000+).
Cheapest Community Colleges in Massachusetts
| College | Approximate Annual Cost | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Roxbury Community College | ~$2,400 | Boston |
| Bunker Hill Community College | ~$3,200 | Boston (Charlestown) |
| MassBay Community College | ~$3,600 | Wellesley/Framingham |
| Bristol Community College | ~$3,400 | Fall River/Attleboro |
| Berkshire Community College | ~$3,500 | Pittsfield |
| Greenfield Community College | ~$3,600 | Greenfield |
| Holyoke Community College | ~$3,500 | Holyoke |
| Cape Cod Community College | ~$3,600 | West Barnstable |
Roxbury Community College in Boston is consistently one of the cheapest at around $2,400/year.
How to Pay Even Less
Massachusetts offers several ways to reduce community college costs to near zero:
- Pell Grant: Up to $7,395/year — this alone covers tuition at every MA community college with money left over
- MASSGrant: Up to $6,700/year for need-based students
- MassReconnect: Free community college for Massachusetts residents aged 25+ (covers tuition and fees with no income limit)
- Commonwealth Dual Enrollment: Free college courses for high school students
MassReconnect is a game-changer — if you are 25 or older, community college in Massachusetts is effectively free regardless of your income.
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Try the Calculator →Transfer Pathways
Massachusetts community colleges have strong transfer agreements with UMass campuses and state universities. The MassTransfer program guarantees admission to state universities for students who complete an associate degree with a 2.0+ GPA. You can complete two years at a community college for $5,000–$8,000 total, then transfer to UMass for the final two years — saving $20,000+ compared to starting at UMass.
Programs Worth Considering
Massachusetts community colleges offer strong programs in:
- Nursing (ADN): High demand, leads to RN licensure. Median salary for RNs in Massachusetts: $104,150/year (BLS)
- Dental Hygiene: Available at select campuses
- IT/Cybersecurity: Growing field with strong job market in the Boston area
- Business Administration: Transfer-friendly to four-year programs
Bottom Line
Community college in Massachusetts costs $2,400–$4,800/year — and between Pell Grants, MASSGrant, and MassReconnect, many students pay nothing. If you are 25+, it is literally free.
Search Massachusetts community colleges on GradeToGrad.