Massachusetts Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide
This page offers a comprehensive guide for future educators in Massachusetts. To qualify for teacher licensure in the state, candidates must complete a state-approved teacher preparation program at an accredited college or university. Below, you’ll find a table of approved programs along with curated lists highlighting the most affordable and top-rated teaching schools in Massachusetts.
Table of Contents
- MA Teacher Preparation Program Comparison
- 21 Affordable MA Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- Top-Ranked Massachusetts Education Programs
- Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs
- US News Best Graduate Education Programs
- Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
Comparison of Massachusetts Schools With Teacher Preparation Programs
The table below compares 47 Massachusetts teacher preparation programs across key factors. All listed institutions are not-for-profit and approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Completing a state-approved program is a key step toward licensure. While Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accreditation is not required for licensure, we include it because CAEP is a nationally respected accreditor whose standards are recognized or accepted in many states.
Data includes enrollment, completion, and pass rates for traditional and alternative programs, based on the 2024 Title II Report (2022-2023 school year). Traditional programs are usually part of a bachelor’s degree, while alternative certification programs target career changers and may lead to a certificate or master’s degree. Many schools offer both—review our Massachusetts traditional certification guide and our Massachusetts alternative certification guide for more. Net price reflects the average annual cost for in-state undergraduates—tuition, books, room and board—minus grants and scholarships.
| State-Approved School | CAEP Accred.?1 | Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2 | Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 2 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2 | Net Price3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American International College | No | 874 | 69 | 88% | — | — | — | $20,876 |
| Anna Maria College | No | 34 | 6 | 89% | — | — | — | $25,617 |
| Assumption University | No | 74 | 26 | 79% | — | — | — | $30,232 |
| Bay Path University | No | 63 | 34 | 94% | — | — | — | $19,177 |
| Berklee College of Music | No | 119 | 9 | 88% | — | — | — | $42,952 |
| Boston College | Yes | 310 | 107 | 90% | — | — | — | $30,192 |
| Boston University | No | 207 | 138 | 89% | — | — | — | $29,154 |
| Brandeis University | No | 18 | 14 | 96% | — | — | — | $41,222 |
| Bridgewater State University | No | 1650 | 277 | 88% | — | — | — | $17,545 |
| Cambridge College | No | 284 | 39 | 89% | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Clark University | No | 32 | 30 | 72% | — | — | — | $30,617 |
| College of the Holy Cross | No | 25 | 4 | 73% | — | — | — | $32,061 |
| Curry College | No | 90 | 22 | 99% | — | — | — | $29,620 |
| Eastern Nazarene College | No | 83 | 20 | 93% | — | — | — | $22,015 |
| Elms College | No | 21 | 18 | 88% | — | — | — | $25,340 |
| Emerson College | No | 110 | 19 | N.Av. | — | — | — | $47,594 |
| Emmanuel College | No | 107 | 32 | 73% | — | — | — | $31,581 |
| Endicott College | No | 167 | 76 | 98% | — | — | — | $37,665 |
| Fitchburg State University | No | 320 | 95 | 95% | — | — | — | $15,831 |
| Framingham State University | Yes | 142 | 75 | 91% | — | — | — | $19,336 |
| Gordon College | No | 268 | 43 | 100% | — | — | — | $27,502 |
| Harvard University | No | 46 | 45 | 98% | — | — | — | $18,037 |
| Lasell University | No | 54 | 25 | 84% | — | — | — | $27,007 |
| Lesley University | Yes | 662 | 135 | 90% | — | — | — | $33,717 |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | No | 37 | 22 | 88% | — | — | — | $23,396 |
| Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts | No | 81 | 27 | 92% | — | — | — | $14,780 |
| Merrimack College | No | 424 | 223 | 86% | — | — | — | $34,606 |
| Montserrat College of Art | No | 6 | 3 | 92% | — | — | — | $34,840 |
| Mount Holyoke College | No | 39 | 30 | 88% | — | — | — | $31,165 |
| Northeastern University | No | 82 | 12 | 96% | — | — | — | $37,738 |
| Regis College | No | 76 | 3 | 95% | — | — | — | $32,683 |
| Salem State University | No | 534 | 142 | 83% | — | — | — | $19,704 |
| Simmons University | No | 75 | 63 | 87% | — | — | — | $29,021 |
| Smith College | No | 21 | 20 | 83% | — | — | — | $28,422 |
| Springfield College | No | 166 | 60 | 95% | — | — | — | $29,395 |
| Stonehill College | No | 222 | 48 | 89% | — | — | — | $35,508 |
| Tufts University | No | 24 | 24 | 82% | — | — | — | $32,720 |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | No | 198 | 116 | 94% | — | — | — | $22,505 |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | No | 442 | 77 | 98% | — | — | — | $17,231 |
| University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth | No | 28 | 6 | 98% | — | — | — | $20,612 |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | No | 271 | 75 | 92% | — | — | — | $19,147 |
| Wellesley College | No | 14 | 10 | 100% | — | — | — | $21,614 |
| Western New England University | No | 31 | 9 | 80% | — | — | — | $30,630 |
| Westfield State University | No | 238 | 93 | 97% | — | — | — | $18,073 |
| Wheaton College | No | 79 | 18 | 95% | — | — | — | $28,518 |
| Worcester Polytechnic Institute | No | 12 | 5 | 90% | — | — | — | $45,834 |
| Worcester State University | No | 226 | 85 | 93% | — | — | — | $16,183 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
Most Affordable Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Massachusetts
Our list of the most affordable bachelor’s in education programs is based on the net price per year for undergraduate tuition. Net price is the average cost of attendance after grants and scholarships are applied. These 21 most affordable schools have a net price under $28,000.
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($14,780)
- Fitchburg State University ($15,831)
- Worcester State University ($16,183)
- University of Massachusetts-Boston ($17,231)
- Bridgewater State University ($17,545)
- Harvard University ($18,037)
- Westfield State University ($18,073)
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($19,147)
- Bay Path University ($19,177)
- Framingham State University ($19,336)
- Salem State University ($19,704)
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth ($20,612)
- American International College ($20,876)
- Wellesley College ($21,614)
- Eastern Nazarene College ($22,015)
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst ($22,505)
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($23,396)
- Elms College ($25,340)
- Anna Maria College ($25,617)
- Lasell University ($27,007)
- Gordon College ($27,502)3
Top-Ranked Schools With Education Programs in Massachusetts
Best Bachelor’s in Education Programs in Massachusetts
Our list of the top 14 bachelor’s in education programs is based on the traditional pathway pass rate data from the 2024 Title II Reports.
- Gordon College (100%)
- Wellesley College (100%)
- Curry College (99%)
- Endicott College (98%)
- Harvard University (98%)
- University of Massachusetts-Boston (98%)
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (98%)
- Westfield State University (97%)
- Brandeis University (96%)
- Northeastern University (96%)
- Fitchburg State University (95%)
- Regis College (95%)
- Springfield College (95%)
- Wheaton College (95%)2
US News & World Report’s Best Graduate Education Programs 2025
- Harvard University (#6 tie)
- Boston College (#20 tie)
- Boston University (#40 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Boston (#45 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst (#81 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Lowell (#153 tie)
- University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth (#173 tie)4
Schools With Associate Degrees in Education
While a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational level required to qualify for state certification, an associate degree can be the first step toward a career in education. It can qualify graduates for careers in non-licensed roles in early childhood education, after-school care, and related areas. The credits earned from an accredited associate degree program can also typically be transferred toward a bachelor’s degree. The 20 Massachusetts schools below offer associate degrees in education.3 Schools with an asterisk (*) also offer four-year teaching programs and/or alternative route to certification programs.
- Bay Path University*
- Berkshire Community College
- Bristol Community College
- Bunker Hill Community College
- Cape Cod Community College
- Dean College*
- Fisher College
- Greenfield Community College
- Holyoke Community College
- Massachusetts Bay Community College
- Massasoit Community College
- Middlesex Community College
- Mount Wachusett Community College
- North Shore Community College
- Northern Essex Community College
- Quincy College
- Quinsigamond Community College
- Roxbury Community College
- Springfield Technical Community College
- Urban College of Boston
References:
1. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
2. US Department of Education 2024 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
3. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
4. US News & World Report Best Graduate Education Schools 2025: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings