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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 SchoolCAEP Accred.?1Trad. Teacher Program Enrollment2Trad. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2Trad. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment 2Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers 2Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate2Net Price3
American International CollegeNo8746988%$20,876
Anna Maria CollegeNo34689%$25,617
Assumption UniversityNo742679%$30,232
Bay Path UniversityNo633494%$19,177
Berklee College of MusicNo119988%$42,952
Boston CollegeYes31010790%$30,192
Boston UniversityNo20713889%$29,154
Brandeis UniversityNo181496%$41,222
Bridgewater State UniversityNo165027788%$17,545
Cambridge CollegeNo2843989%N.Av.
Clark UniversityNo323072%$30,617
College of the Holy CrossNo25473%$32,061
Curry CollegeNo902299%$29,620
Eastern Nazarene CollegeNo832093%$22,015
Elms CollegeNo211888%$25,340
Emerson CollegeNo11019N.Av.$47,594
Emmanuel CollegeNo1073273%$31,581
Endicott CollegeNo1677698%$37,665
Fitchburg State UniversityNo3209595%$15,831
Framingham State UniversityYes1427591%$19,336
Gordon CollegeNo26843100%$27,502
Harvard UniversityNo464598%$18,037
Lasell UniversityNo542584%$27,007
Lesley UniversityYes66213590%$33,717
Massachusetts College of Art and DesignNo372288%$23,396
Massachusetts College of Liberal ArtsNo812792%$14,780
Merrimack CollegeNo42422386%$34,606
Montserrat College of ArtNo6392%$34,840
Mount Holyoke CollegeNo393088%$31,165
Northeastern UniversityNo821296%$37,738
Regis CollegeNo76395%$32,683
Salem State UniversityNo53414283%$19,704
Simmons UniversityNo756387%$29,021
Smith CollegeNo212083%$28,422
Springfield CollegeNo1666095%$29,395
Stonehill CollegeNo2224889%$35,508
Tufts UniversityNo242482%$32,720
University of Massachusetts-AmherstNo19811694%$22,505
University of Massachusetts-BostonNo4427798%$17,231
University of Massachusetts-DartmouthNo28698%$20,612
University of Massachusetts-LowellNo2717592%$19,147
Wellesley CollegeNo1410100%$21,614
Western New England UniversityNo31980%$30,630
Westfield State UniversityNo2389397%$18,073
Wheaton CollegeNo791895%$28,518
Worcester Polytechnic InstituteNo12590%$45,834
Worcester State UniversityNo2268593%$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.

  1. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ($14,780)
  2. Fitchburg State University ($15,831)
  3. Worcester State University ($16,183)
  4. University of Massachusetts-Boston ($17,231)
  5. Bridgewater State University ($17,545)
  6. Harvard University ($18,037)
  7. Westfield State University ($18,073)
  8. University of Massachusetts-Lowell ($19,147)
  9. Bay Path University ($19,177)
  10. Framingham State University ($19,336)
  11. Salem State University ($19,704)
  12. University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth ($20,612)
  13. American International College ($20,876)
  14. Wellesley College ($21,614)
  15. Eastern Nazarene College ($22,015)
  16. University of Massachusetts-Amherst ($22,505)
  17. Massachusetts College of Art and Design ($23,396)
  18. Elms College ($25,340)
  19. Anna Maria College ($25,617)
  20. Lasell University ($27,007)
  21. 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