15 Military Friendly Colleges in Massachusetts

1 University of Massachusetts-Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard | Boston, MA 02125

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $4.28M

University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) offers support services for vets, service members, and their families. The UMass Boston Student Veterans’ Center is run by students. It was established to help support the student veteran population at UMass Boston.

UMB participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad students up to $6,460 per student, per year. An unlimited number of graduate students could get up to $6,033 per student per year. And, an unlimited number of doctoral students could get up to $6,033 per student, per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 75%. For part time students, it’s 80%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $7,083
Grad: $5,347

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 557
Grad: 64

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 44%

2 University of Massachusetts-Lowell
100 Morrissey Boulevard | Boston, MA 02125

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.78M

University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) offers support services for vets, service members, and their families. The UMass Boston Student Veterans’ Center is run by students. It was established to help support the student veteran population at UMass Boston.

UMB participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers an unlimited number of undergrad students up to $6,460 per student, per year. An unlimited number of graduate students could get up to $6,033 per student per year. And, an unlimited number of doctoral students could get up to $6,033 per student, per year.

Veterans may be eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 75%. For part time students, it’s 80%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $10,973
Grad: $8,544

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 290
Grad: 71

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 83%
Part Time: 56%

3 Suffolk University
73 Tremont Street | Boston, MA 02108

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.3M

Suffolk University is dedicated to serving the educational needs of men and women who serve or have served our country. The school participates in Veterans Upward Bound (VUB). This is a free, pre-college program. It helps eligible U.S. military vets build the skills they need to succeed in college.

Suffolk participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 150 undergrad students up to $25,000 per student, per year. 35 grad students could get up to $25,000 per student, per year. 35 Law students could get up to $28,000 per student, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rates for full time students who get military benefits is 90%. And, the rate for part time students reached 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $28,035
Grad: $27,168

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 78
Grad: 41

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 77%
Part Time: 79%

4 University of Massachusetts-Amherst
374 Whitmore Building 181 Presidents Drive, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $3.2M

UMass is a nationally ranked public research university. Here you could earn an undergraduate or graduate degree in a range of academic subjects. To help offset the costs of your degree, you could use your eligible VA benefits and the school has resources to help you learn how. You may also be eligible for college credit for your military experience.  UMass Amherst uses the American Council on Education (ACE), CLEP, and DSST guidelines and applies the same standards to credits for military education as those applied to coursework from accredited colleges and universities. 

Since the university is a large one, you may find it has many desired services and programs. Air Force ROTC is one potential scholarship opportunity where you can also earn a monthly stipend while working towards your degree and a commission as an Air Force officer. Army ROTC offers returning vets who attend college as regular students, the opportunity to train to become an Army Officer. Scholarships may also be available.

Other resources include career services and an Assistive Technologies Center (ATC). You could also reach out the school’s Center for Counseling and Psychological Health. Among other support is a Center for Women and Community and Disabilities Center.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $12,009
Grad: $7,437

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 223
Grad: 71

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 91%
Part Time: 29%

5 Berklee College of Music
1140 Boylston St | Boston, MA 02215

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $2.01M

Berklee College of Music is honored to help service members, veterans, and their families. The school has a dedicated point of contact for related support services.

Berklee participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 35 undergrad students up to $2,500 per student, per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rates for full time students who get military benefits is 67%. And, the rate for part time students is 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $15,637
Grad: $18,851

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 124
Grad: 4

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 86%
Part Time: 58%

6 Salem State University
352 Lafayette St | Salem, MA 01970

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.62M

Salem State University’s Veterans’ Affairs helps current and former service members of the armed forces. They also serve survivors and dependents with both state and federal education benefits. The Student Veteran Organization (SVO) helps vets transition to college and achieve their goals in school. The Salem State Veteran Writers Workshop gives vets and civilians an open forum to express themselves.

Salem State participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. The school offers an unlimited number of students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans are eligible for transfer credit of military training. The retention rate for full time students who get military benefits is 72%. And, the rate for part time students is 50%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,860
Grad: $5,159

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 171
Grad: 21

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 73%
Part Time: 29%

7 Western New England University
1215 Wilbraham Rd, Springfield, Massachusetts 01119

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.45M

Western New England University offers paths to  complete your degree, begin your college career, or pursue a master’s degree. The school supports the GI Bill® and the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program. Here, there’s also an Office of Enrollment Services to assist you with a staff member dedicated to serving veteran students.

Once a student, there are resources to know about as well. Career Development, counseling and disability services. Find your niche in law, pharmacy, or many other areas.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $33,274
Grad: $27,274

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 33
Grad: 13

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 76%
Part Time: 100%

8 MCPHS University
179 Longwood Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.4M

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers over 100 programs and online learning. If unsure about where to start, you could use the Find Your Fit an interactive fields of study finder.

Apart from academic help, MCPHS is committed to help you succeed as a military learner. Several programs exist including help with the admissions process, and using VA Benefits and Yellow Ribbon. The University Veterans Education Team (UVET) is there to encourage, support and provide resources to student veterans and dependents at MCPHS. UVET team members serve as liaisons between relevant campus departments and services available to veterans. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $25,823
Grad: $12,137

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 42
Grad: 26

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 81%
Part Time: 50%

9 Bridgewater State University
131 Summer Street | Bridgewater, MA 02325

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.35M

Bridgewater State University (BSU) is committed in assisting the military and veteran community. The school could help you achieve both academic and personal goals. BSU’s Military and Veteran Student Services offers a “one-stop” service.

BSU participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. It offers 10 undergrad students and 10 grad students an unlimited max contribution per year.

Veterans may qualify for transfer credit of military training. The retention rates for full time students who get military benefits is 71%. And, the rate for part time students is 67%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $8,871
Grad: $5,021

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 149
Grad: 7

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 77%
Part Time: 38%

10 Framingham State University

100 State Street, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.34M

FSU takes part in the Yellow Ribbon program and is a university where you could use your VA benefits.

It offers a 13:1 student-to-faculty ration and for 6 straight years has been a Princeton Review “Green College”. The school also recognizes that as a Military Connected Student you face unique issues. As a result, the school strives to provide the necessary help Veterans, Service Members, and their families need.

The Office of Military & Veterans Services at the university collaborates with many department, Veteran and local organizations throughout Greater Boston and MetroWest regions. The school also offers military transfer credits where eligible. Veterans may also receive discounted tuition.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $12,689
Grad: $8,159

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 98
Grad: 13

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 74%
Part Time: 44%

11 University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

285 Old Westport Rd, North Dartmouth, Massachusetts 02747-2300

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.22M

UMass Dartmouth could provide you with information and resources to ease your transition to civilian and academic life. Here you’ll find several services for veterans, prior military, and reservists. These include help to use your educational benefits, cope with trauma or injuries. There is also a special veterans orientation for new students and a Veterans Assistance Office devoted to answering your questions.

As a student, you could also join SVA, the Student Veterans Association. It is an on-campus group for student veterans, current service members, families, and supporters. If looking for a quiet space to study, the university also has a Veterans’ Reading Room.

For academics, there are part time, full time and online options. Study as an undergraduate or graduate student in one of their many majors, minors and pre professional programs.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $11,737
Grad: $13,368

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 79
Grad: 22

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 70%
Part Time: 67%

12 Westfield State University

577 Western Ave, Westfield, Massachusetts 01086-1630

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.12M

Westfield State University was founded in 1839 and was the first co-educational college in America to offer an education without barrier to race, creed or economic status. WSU also supports military connected students make a shift from high school, another college or the military. Here you could use your benefits and the university also takes part in the Yellow Ribbon program which may make extra funds available to eligible students.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,829
Grad: $5,189

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 150
Grad: 20

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 72%
Part Time: 25%

13 Quincy College

1250 Hancock Street, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.1M

Quincy College offers both degree programs and certificates. Through the Quincy College Veterans Discount Program, Veterans may enroll in either Liberal Arts or Professional Programs classes at a discounted rate. Veterans are eligible for this reduced rate regardless of the number of courses they take in a semester as it is not government funded. There is also a team devoted to helping you navigate your education benefits with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. If you submit your military transcripts they could earn you college credits.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,493
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 170
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 51%
Part Time: 53%

14 Bunker Hill Community College

250 New Rutherford Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02129-2925

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1.07M

Recognized as a Veterans friendly college, BHCC could be a good place to explore your academic and career options. The school has its own Veterans Center with resource computers and support from their staff to explain how to use your VA benefits. In addition, there is a Veterans/Military focused new student orientation and many programs of study that lead to Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees, Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees and certificates. 

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $3,352
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 320
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: 51%

15 Endicott College

376 Hale Street, Beverly, Massachusetts 01915

Total Post 9/11 GI Bill Sum Awarded in 2018/19: $1M

Endicott College offers a 12:1 student-faculty ration and a broad range of on campus and online academic programs that blend theory and practice. Undergraduate offerings span 8 academic schools. There are also multiple associate and bachelor’s programs available through the Endicott College Van Loan School of Professional Studies if looking to start or complete an undergraduate degree.

As a proud military friendly school, Endicott strives to make your GI Bill® benefits, housing allowance, and financial support easy to navigate. That’s why they offer a STARS curriculum course that provides strategies for transition, academia, readjustment, and success for military students.

Endicott is a post-9/11 GI Bill® Yellow Ribbon School, so any extra costs over the GI Bill® cap are covered. The college also waives application fees for all veterans and active military students. Because they have a robust transfer credit policy, they may accept your military experience for college credit. When eligible, up to 32 credits are accepted toward your associate degree; up to 85 transfer credits are accepted toward your bachelor’s degree

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $15,003
Grad: $12,012

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 47
Grad: 25

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 86%
Part Time: 67%