2025 Top Online Community Colleges in Massachusetts

Community colleges provide students with affordable options in higher education.

They're great choices for individuals looking for schools that offer flexible admissions processes and the ability to earn an associate degree and credit toward a bachelor's degree.

If you'd like to enroll in a community college but want to study from home, explore the best online community colleges in Massachusetts.

Featured Community Colleges Online in Massachusetts

Find a great academic program from this list of the top online community colleges in Massachusetts.

1. Berkshire Community College

Berkshire Community College, founded in 1960, holds the distinction of being the first community college established by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The school has an average enrollment of 2,000 students per year and maintains a main campus and off-site campuses.

Students interested in studying from home can take advantage of Berkshire's fully online programs.

The community college offers an AA in Business Administration and AS in Business Careers. An AA in Liberal Arts is also available.

2. Quinsigamond Community College

Quinsigamond Community College is a large school with more than 13,000 full and part-time day and evening students enrolled.

The school offers nearly a dozen online degrees and more than 100 online courses taught by the same instructors who teach the traditional courses.

Students can pick from associate degrees in business administration, general studies, liberal arts, and criminal justice.

Degrees are also available in healthcare, human services, and computer science.

3. Middlesex Community College

Middlesex Community College is one of the first colleges in the state to offer online course options.

Online learners take synchronous courses with specific meeting times and asynchronous courses with no set schedule.

The AS in Fire Protection & Safety Technology is a program for students interested in fire-science employment. The degree is available on campus or online.

The community college also offers the online AS in Criminal and Social Justice, which teaches students about law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

4. Bristol Community College

At Bristol Community College, students can choose from more than 130 career and transfer programs, many of which are available via Bristol Online.

Bristol Online courses are taught by the same instructors who teach on the campus. Courses are flexible, enabling students to learn on their own time.

The school offers nearly a dozen 100% online programs for students interested in an associate degree.

Program options include communication, psychology, general studies, business administration, and liberal arts and sciences.

5. Massasoit Community College

Massasoit Community College opened its doors in 1966 and has since provided students with opportunities to earn associate degrees in various subject areas.

Currently, the community college is home to a dozen 100% online degree programs and more than a dozen that are at least 50% online.

Students interested in learning online without the requirement to visit the campus can study business administration, computer science, and liberal arts.

Additional 100% online degrees are available in criminal justice, psychology, and social science.

6. North Shore Community College

North Shore Community College is a two-year institution created in 1965 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The community college offers various online learning options, including fully online, hybrid, and videoconferencing.

Students who are interested in a 100% online degree can enroll in the AS in Fire Protection and Safety Technology program.

This program prepares students for fire service roles and is taught with a flexible schedule through Blackboard Learn.

7. Northern Essex Community College

Northern Essex Community College is dedicated to preparing its students to work in their field of choice � or transfer to a four-year college or university.

Enrollees have access to nearly 70 programs, some of which are available partially or fully online.

Individuals who want to take 100% online courses can choose from business, criminal justice, or general studies programs.

Each degree option offers courses in the fall, spring, spring intersession, and summer.

8. Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield Technical Community College is the only technical community college in the Commonwealth.

Founded in 1967, the school focuses on providing students with STEM, manufacturing, healthcare, social services, liberal arts, and business programs.

Students can choose from several 100% online options that are taught asynchronously with no set class times.

Programs include applied psychology, criminal justice, elementary education, urban studies, cybersecurity, business administration, and social science.

9. Massachusetts Bay Community College

Massachusetts Bay Community College is home to six online associate degree programs delivering more than 100 courses.

Program options include the AS in Business Administration, AS in General Business, and AS in Paralegal Studies.

Attendees can also choose an AA in General Studies program and an AA in Liberal Arts with the ability to focus on psychology or sociology.

The school's aim is to ensure students are prepared for the workforce and have credits to pursue a bachelor's degree.

10. Mount Wachusett Community College

Mount Wachusett Community College is a public, two-year college offering more than 70 credit-bearing degree and certificate programs.

More than half a dozen of those programs are offered in a 100% online learning environment for busy students with work and family obligations.

Among the online associate degree programs available at Mount Wachusett are business administration and fire science.

Students can also choose from interdisciplinary studies, legal studies, and liberal arts and sciences programs.

11. Cape Cod Community College

Cape Cod Community College delivers five degree programs and more than 100 courses to students interested in learning in a fully online environment.

Degrees are available in business administration, general studies, liberal arts, psychology, and history.

Students who enroll in a fully online degree program complete all coursework via the online learning platform, Moodle.

Courses are flexible, enabling students to study at their own pace. Online tutoring services are available 24/7 for students in need of academic support.

12. Greenfield Community College

Greenfield Community College is a two-year, public, not-for-profit institution for students seeking an associate degree or certificate.

The school works closely with bachelor's degree-granting colleges in Massachusetts to help students find additional academic opportunities in higher education.

Attendees who want to secure a degree without visiting the campus can choose from four fully online associate programs.

Areas of study liberal arts, liberal arts - social sciences, liberal arts - English, and business administration.

Is Community College Free in Massachusetts?

Yes, eligible students can attend a community college in Massachusetts free of charge.

MassReconnect is a program introduced in 2023 to provide thousands of Massachusetts students with the ability to attend one of the state's community colleges at no cost.

Students must be 25 and older and permanent residents of Massachusetts for at least one year at the start of the enrolled term.

Enrollees must also sign up for at least six credits per semester, pursue an associate degree or certificate, and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

MassReconnect is open to new students, current students, and returning students who didn't finish their degree program.

How Much Does Community College Cost in Massachusetts?

For students who don't qualify for MassReconnect, the cost of attending a community college in Massachusetts varies by institution.

Tuition can be as low as $211 per credit for in-state students with costs increasing for students from other states.

If paying for tuition out of pocket is not possible, consider other options like scholarships and financial aid.

Scholarships are financial awards that don't have to be repaid. Financial aid options for students in need include grants, loans, and the Federal Work-Study Program.

Active military and veterans might qualify for tuition reduction programs and the GI Bill. If you're a working student, find out if your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program.

Massachusetts Community College Degree Types

A community college is a two-year academic institution that educates students looking to earn an associate degree.

There are generally typically two types of degrees you'll find at online community colleges in Massachusetts and across the nation.

An Associate of Arts (AA) is designed to provide a solid foundation in subject areas like social science, humanities, and writing.

An Associate of Science (AS) degree focuses on science and technology with degree options including engineering, computer science, and architecture.

Depending on the community college, you might also encounter an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, which teaches a specific applied science or technical skill.

Career Opportunities for Massachusetts Community College Graduates

There are a lot of great careers available to students who complete a degree at one of the online community colleges in Massachusetts.

Students who earn an Associate of Arts degree might consider becoming an administrative assistant, information clerk, preschool teacher, or customer service representative.

Individuals who complete an Associate of Science degree might find careers in fields like cybersecurity, information technology, or web development.

Since the Associate of Applied Science focuses on technical skills, common career choices include mechanic, dental hygienist, and sonographer.

Find an Online Community College Today

With so many fantastic online community colleges in Massachusetts available � and the possibility of earning a degree free of charge � there's no better time to find a great program.