2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts
When pursuing a degree in today's world, veterans have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking is part of that endeavor.
After analyzing 81 schools in Massachusetts, we came up with our list of those that offered the best educational experiences for veterans. Instead of depending on subjective information, we focus on over 20 objective factors to determine this ranking. These factors include such things as number of GI Bill® recipients at the school, percentage of costs covered by the GI Bill®, and the school's overall quality.
Find out more about our ranking methodology.
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Top Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts
See which schools came out on top of our ranking:
Westfield State University tops this year’s ranking as the best school for veterans in Massachusetts. Westfield is a public institution located in Westfield, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,666 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Westfield supports 5,395 students, and 216 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 113 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,509. To help with additional expenses, 3 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
A rank of #2 on our Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list means University of Massachusetts Amherst is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a large public school located in Amherst, Massachusetts that handed out 8,919 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 31,642 students enrolled at UMass Amherst, 460 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 300 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,069. During this same period, 17 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
The excellent bachelor’s degree programs at Endicott College helped the school earn the #3 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools for veterans in Massachusetts. This small private not-for-profit school is located in Beverly, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1,330 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 4,287 students enrolled at Endicott, 118 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 81 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,325. In addition to receiving other benefits, 17 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Salem State University. The school came in at #4 in Massachusetts on this year’s best for vets ranking. Salem State is a medium-sized public school situated in Salem, Massachusetts. It awarded 2,162 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 7,242 students enrolled at Salem State, 305 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 185 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,730. To help with additional expenses, 5 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
A rank of #5 on our Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list means Boston University is a great place for students working on their bachelor’s degree. Boston U is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11,894 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 32,718 students enrolled at Boston U, 438 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 321 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $13,944. In addition to receiving other benefits, 48 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. Boston U also claimed a spot on our Best Schools in Massachusetts list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #6, Northeastern University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 7,648 students in 2019-2020.
Among the 22,905 students enrolled at Northeastern, 700 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 515 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $14,457. During this same period, 171 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The low student loan default rate of 2.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Northeastern also did well on our Best Schools in Massachusetts list. It’s in the top 15% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
With a ranking of #7, Fitchburg State University did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. Fitchburg, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelor’s degrees to 1,780 students in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Fitchburg State supports 6,728 students, and 151 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 82 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,484. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Framingham State University landed the #8 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Framingham, Massachusetts, the small public school awarded 1,335 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Among the 4,876 students enrolled at Framingham State, 169 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 115 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $5,873. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #9 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. MIT is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3,715 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 119 of the 11,254 students enrolled at MIT were GI Bill® students, of which 87 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $20,495. On top of their other funding sources, 43 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
With a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. MIT did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Schools in Massachusetts list.
Boston College ranked #10 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4,882 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
Our most recent data shows that 164 of the 14,934 students enrolled at Boston College were GI Bill® students, of which 130 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $24,987. To help with additional expenses, 74 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Boston College also is in the top 10% of our Best Schools in Massachusetts ranking.
With a ranking of #11, University of Massachusetts - Lowell did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. UMass Lowell is a public institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4,354 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 18,150 students enrolled at UMass Lowell, 649 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 401 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,152. During this same period, 46 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The low student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Bridgewater State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. Located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, the fairly large public school handed out 2,559 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 10,651 students enrolled at Bridgewater State, 391 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 153 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $7,927. During this same period, 10 students received scholarships through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Bay Path University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 951 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 66 of the 3,224 students enrolled at Bay Path were GI Bill® students, of which 43 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,967. To help with additional expenses, 3 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program.
University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #14 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the fairly large public school awarded 3,546 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 684 of the 16,259 students enrolled at UMass Boston were GI Bill® students, of which 409 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,790. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Wentworth Institute of Technology landed the #15 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. WIT is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1,012 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
According to our most recent data, WIT supports 4,389 students, and 116 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 76 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $14,351. In addition to receiving other benefits, 17 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth ranked #16 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. This medium-sized public school is located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1,913 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 7,869 students enrolled at UMass Dartmouth, 228 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 116 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $10,131. In addition to receiving other benefits, 8 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Springfield College landed the #17 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. Springfield College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Springfield, Massachusetts that handed out 870 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 75 of the 3,068 students enrolled at Springfield College were GI Bill® students, of which 36 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $13,929. To help with additional expenses, 6 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Massachusetts Maritime Academy landed the #18 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. This small public school is located in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, and it awarded 453 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 1,637 students enrolled at Maritime, 70 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 27 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $10,747. To help with additional expenses, 8 students received funds through the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
The low student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. On top of its placing in our veterans ranking, Maritime also did well on our Best Schools in Massachusetts list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.
Elms College ranked #19 on this year’s Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. Elms College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 490 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Elms College supports 1,355 students, and 33 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 19 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $11,789. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Simmons University landed the #20 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. Simmons is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 2,358 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 272 of the 6,263 students enrolled at Simmons were GI Bill® students, of which 180 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $18,056. On top of their other funding sources, 4 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
With a ranking of #21, Curry College did quite well on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts list. Curry is a private not-for-profit institution located in Milton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 742 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Of the 2,410 students enrolled at Curry, 188 were GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 100 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $11,550. In addition to receiving other benefits, 6 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Eligible students may be able to receive credit for their military training.
Harvard University landed the #22 spot on the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8,358 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Among the 30,391 students enrolled at Harvard, 378 are GI Bill® students, according to our most recent data. Out of that number, 297 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $22,846. On top of their other funding sources, 175 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Harvard also made our Best Schools in Massachusetts list, coming in at #2.
Worcester State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. Worcester State University is a medium-sized public school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 1,378 bachelor’s degrees in 2019-2020.
According to our most recent data, Worcester State supports 5,724 students, and 147 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 77 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average tuition and fees award for the Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients was $8,748. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
Tufts University did quite well in the 2021 Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #24. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,793 diplomas to qualified bachelor’s degree students in 2019-2020.
Our most recent data shows that 41 of the 12,219 students enrolled at Tufts were GI Bill® students, of which 28 were Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $24,339. On top of their other funding sources, 19 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program.
The student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. As a testament to the quality of education it offers, Tufts also is in the top 10% of our Best Schools in Massachusetts ranking.
Suffolk University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Colleges for Veterans in Massachusetts ranking. Suffolk is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2,436 bachelor’s degrees to qualified undergraduates.
According to our most recent data, Suffolk supports 6,830 students, and 159 of those are GI Bill® students, of which 92 are Post-9/11 GI Bill® recipients. The average Post-9/11 GI Bill® award for tuition and fees at the school was $23,071. In addition to receiving other benefits, 62 students qualified for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Students may be able to receive credit for their military training, depending on their background.
The student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Best Colleges for Veterans in the New England Region
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Best Colleges in the New England Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*Avg Salary and Avg 4-Year Grad Rate are for the top 25 schools only.
**GI Bill® student total includes all chapters of the GI Bill® program (e.g., Post-9/11, Montgomery GI Bill, Reserve Education Assistance Program, and Veteran Readiness and Employment)
References
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
- Veteran-specific data can be found at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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