Colleges in Massachusetts

Massachusetts schools of higher education include 29 campuses that have been divided into three categories: five University campuses, nine state universities and 15 community colleges. The colleges in Massachusetts are recognized as being among the best in the nation. Each category of colleges in Massachusetts has its own board of trustees. Around 260,000 students attend Massachusetts colleges annually. Over 30,000 degrees are awarded at higher education schools in Massachusetts each year.

The Massachusetts system of higher learning offers accessible, affordable programs that are both relevant and rigorous. The state appropriates close to $1 billion each year in financial assistance. Over 40,000 undergraduates receive state assistance to attend Massachusetts colleges.

Massachusetts has six comprehensive state universities that combine programs in the sciences and liberal arts with professional education. Bridgewater State College in Brigewater is the largest and offers 25 undergraduate majors and 12 master's degree programs. Fitchburg State College, often called Fitchburg State serves students on a compact urban campus in Fitchburg. This university offers postgraduate certificates, Bachelor's and Master's degrees in over 25 academic disciplines.

Framingham State College is located 20 miles from Boston in Framingham. It offers students undergraduate degrees in a variety of disciplines such as biology, art and communications. Framingham State also has graduate programs that award the Master in Business Administration, Master of Education and Master of Science degrees.

Fifteen miles north of Boston, Salem State College, a four-year liberal arts school offers graduate, undergraduate and continuing education programs.

Westfield State College is an historic four-year college located in Westfield. It was founded by Horace Mann in 1938 and was the nation's first public coed college. It offers undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programs.

Finally, Worcester State College in Worchester is a four-year college with a special emphasis on business, education and nursing. However, the college also offers programs in health and natural sciences, social sciences and humanities.

There are three specialized colleges in the state's system of higher learning. The Massachusetts College of Art and Design is a state funded school for visual and applied arts programs. Founded in 1873 in Boston, it is one of the oldest schools of this kind in the nation.

The Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams was first established as a normal school for training teachers in 1894. Today, it offers Bachelor's degrees in the arts and sciences and a track for a Master's in Education. The Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay is a coeducational college in Massachusetts that awards undergraduate degrees to prepare students in maritime, emergency management, engineering and environmental fields.

Massachusetts has 15 community colleges that are firmly rooted in their communities. All of the academic programs are affordable and of a high quality. Students can earn Associate's degrees or complete certificate programs in a variety of career fields. Students also have the option to use the state's community college program as a pathway to a Massachusetts college that offers more advanced degrees.

Economy

Manufacturing is important to Massachusetts' economy and has been since the 19th century when is was the nation's leader of textile production and shoe manufacturing. In 1860, the state became a major producer of machinery. The state also produced almost a quarter of the nation's paper. It ranked 17th in the nation in the year 1997 for the total value of manufacturer shipments. The heaviest concentrations of employment in industrial machinery are in the cities of Springfield, Attleboro, Wilmington and Worcester.

High technology enterprises are concentrated along superhighway Route 128 which encircles Boston from Quincy in the south and northward towards Gloucester. Many manufacturing industries are located on this route. The state continues to focus on the production of computers and optical equipment as well as other sophisticated technology for the future of the economy and to provide employment.

Manufacturing in Massachusetts remains important in the following product types: fabricated metals, electronics equipment, industrial machinery and equipment, chemicals and allied products, printing and publishing, instruments and related products, food and food products. In the late 20th century, the total value of manufacturing shipments was an impressive $83 billion and it was headquarters for 16 Fortune 500 companies. The largest are the Liberty Mutual Insurance Group in Boston and Mass Mutual Financial Services in Springfield.

In 2008, the US Bureau of Economic Analysis estimated the state of Massachusetts' Gross State Product to be $365 billion and the per capital personal income at $50,735. This made it the nation's third highest state for personal income.

In 2010, the Consumer News and Business Channel(CNBC)named Massachusetts as number five on the channel's "Top States for Business."

Other sectors vital to the state's economy in addition to manufacturing include higher education, health care, finance and biotechnology. The tourism sector has grown greatly in importance to the state's economy in recent years. Boston and Cape Cod are popular destinations for tourists from the rest of the nation and European countries. The state's rich history and scenic coast line draw visitors to the cape, Plymouth Rock, where the Pilgrims landed and Salem, the sight of the famous Salem Witch Trials. The Berkshires mountainous region also attracts tourists that add to the state's economy.

Farming also plays a role in the economy of Massachusetts. A total of 7,700 farms existed across the state in 2005 that encompassed 520,000 acres. Each of the farms averaged around 68 acres. Noteworthy farm products include livestock, tobacco, fruits, tree nuts and berries. It is the second largest producer of cranberries behind Wisconsin.

In April, 2013 the unemployment rate in Massachusetts was listed as 6.4 percent, significantly below the national average of 7.6 percent. The state is likely to remain a prosperous state in which to attend college, work and live.