Before selecting a college, it’s important to evaluate the costs and benefits of each option. Massachusetts is home to some of the most well-known colleges and universities in the world, but many cost over $20,000 to attend. Payscale.com released a list of the best value colleges in Massachusetts, based on total 4-year costs, graduation rates, typical years to graduate, average loan amount and median pay.
Parents can plan ahead for college costs by investing in a 529 plan. 529 plans offer tax-deferred investment growth and tax-free distributions when the funds are used to pay for qualified education expenses at an eligible post-secondary education institution. This includes public and private colleges and universities nationwide, and many foreign schools.
Massachusetts residents can open a 529 plan in almost any state, but Massachusetts offers special incentives for residents who use a Massachusetts 529 plan. Massachusetts residents may be eligible to deduct contributions to MEFA’s U.Fund from state taxable income ($1,000 per individual, $2,000 if married filing jointly). MEFA U.Fund accounts that are opened for babies and newly adopted children in Massachusetts are eligible for a $50 seed contribution through the BabySteps Saving Plan.
Families can open a MEFA U. Fund account online or by clicking the enroll now button.
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![Wentworth Institute of Technology](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125165455_shutterstock_85369114.jpg)
10. Wentworth Institute of Technology
20 Year Net ROI |
$535,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$200,000 |
Graduation Rate |
65% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$40,600 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for Wentworth Institute of Technology today!
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![Williams College](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125165757_williams_college_-_ma.jpg)
9. Williams College
20 Year Net ROI |
$559,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$261,000 |
Graduation Rate |
94% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$19,800 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for William’s College today!
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![University of Massachusetts](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125191153_shutterstock_84518011.jpg)
8. University of Massachusetts – Lowell (In-state)
20 Year Net ROI |
$573,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$108,000 |
Graduation Rate |
56% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$28,900 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for the University of Massachusetts today!
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![MCPHS University](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125170325_shutterstock_1444884665.jpg)
7. MCPHS University
20 Year Net ROI |
$583,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$196,000 |
Graduation Rate |
78% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$60,300 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for MCPHS University today!
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![Bentley University](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125170805_shutterstock_172081169.jpg)
6. Bentley University
20 Year Net ROI |
$598,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$240,000 |
Graduation Rate |
89% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$34,200 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for Bentley University today!
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![Harvard University](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125171005_shutterstock_197551889_%281%29.jpg)
5. Harvard University
20 Year Net ROI |
$760,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$254,000 |
Graduation Rate |
97% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$27,400 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for Harvard University today!
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![Worcester Polytechnic Institute](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125185750_wpi_ma_.jpg)
4. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
20 Year Net ROI |
$777,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$242,000 |
Graduation Rate |
86% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$44,400 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for Worcester Polytechnic Institute
today!
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![Massachusetts Maritime Academy](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125190123_ma_maritime_academy.jpg)
3. Massachusetts Maritime Academy (In-state)
20 Year Net ROI |
$783,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$92,200 |
Graduation Rate |
76% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$30,700 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for Massachusetts Maritime Academy
today!
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![Babson College](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125190356_shutterstock_635564345_copy.jpg)
2. Babson College
20 Year Net ROI |
$793,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$254,000 |
Graduation Rate |
91% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$32,100 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for Babson College
today!
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![Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://webresources-savingforcollege.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/articles/article_image_20191125190636_shutterstock_261409580.jpg)
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
20 Year Net ROI |
$1,015,000 |
Total 4-Year Cost |
$249,000 |
Graduation Rate |
93% |
Average Student Loan Amount |
$30,200 |
Enroll in MEFA’s U.Fund and start saving for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
today!
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