Colleges Near Shirley, Massachusetts
Looking for information about the best colleges and universities serving Shirley? Here's your guide to the top schools offering degrees to students in the area, including institutions located within 20 miles of Shirley, Massachusetts.
There are at least 19 colleges serving the area, including 5 private colleges and universities, 4 public colleges and universities, and 8 community colleges offering 2-year degrees.
The Best Adult Colleges & Careers Guide provides a breakdown of the colleges serving Shirley, with details about cost, enrollment, student type and degree offerings. Click here to learn more about the guide.
Shirley, Massachusetts Colleges by the Numbers
Associate, bachelor's, masters, and doctoral degree completions at institutions near Shirley, Massachusetts have been growing over the past 5 years. In 2024, students completed 18,810 doctorates at colleges and universities near Shirley. That was an increase of 1% from completions reported in 2020.
Schools with Degree Completions
Est. Total Completions in 2024
Est. Completions (Last 5 Years)
Sponsored
Top School For Adults & Online Students
Franklin University is a top choice for transfer students, online learners and adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Offerings
100%
Private Colleges & Universities Offering Degrees Near Shirley, Massachusetts
There are at least 5 schools offering degrees near Shirley, Massachusetts, and 5 are four-year private colleges or universities where about 7,925 undergraduate students were enrolled. In 2024, a total of 4,441 degrees were completed at private colleges and universities, including 3,729 that were offered online.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Franklin offers more than 50 online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctoral programs in the Shirley, Massachusetts area. Franklin University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are adults and all programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Franklin University. In 2024, 1,602 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 98 associate degrees, 840 master's degrees, and 65 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,111
Completions By Degree
2,605
Est. Online Degree Availability
100%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rivier University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Rivier University. In 2024, 590 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 69 associate degrees, 223 bachelor's degrees, and 15 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,312
Completions By Degree
897
Est. Online Degree Availability
63%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. In 2024, 21 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
95
Completions By Degree
21
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Thomas More College of Liberal Arts is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and no programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. In 2024, 21 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
95
Completions By Degree
21
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Rivier University is an institutionally accredited nonprofit 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Rivier University. In 2024, 590 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 69 associate degrees, 223 bachelor's degrees, and 15 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,312
Completions By Degree
897
Est. Online Degree Availability
63%
Public Colleges & Universities Near Shirley, Massachusetts
There are 4 four-year public colleges located near Shirley, Massachusetts. About 28,914 students were enrolled in undergraduate programs, and about 12,630 degrees were completed at public colleges near Shirley. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Massachusetts-Lowell. In 2024, 2,752 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 26 associate degrees, 1,452 master's degrees, and 194 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,632
Completions By Degree
4,424
Est. Online Degree Availability
50%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Fitchburg State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Fitchburg State University. In 2024, 1,209 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 682 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,825
Completions By Degree
1,891
Est. Online Degree Availability
84%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Fitchburg State University is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and most programs completed were offered online. Master's degrees are the most popular at Fitchburg State University. In 2024, 1,209 master's degrees were completed. In addition, 0 associate degrees, 682 bachelor's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,825
Completions By Degree
1,891
Est. Online Degree Availability
84%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
University of Massachusetts-Lowell is an institutionally accredited public 4-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online. Bachelor's degrees are the most popular at University of Massachusetts-Lowell. In 2024, 2,752 bachelor's degrees were completed. In addition, 26 associate degrees, 1,452 master's degrees, and 194 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
11,632
Completions By Degree
4,424
Est. Online Degree Availability
50%
Community Colleges Near Shirley, Massachusetts
There are 8 community colleges near Shirley, Massachusetts where students can earn 2-year associate degrees. In 2024, about 27,328 students were enrolled in undergraduate courses at community colleges near Shirley, and about 4,240 associate degrees were completed.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mount Wachusett Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,554
Completions By Degree
442
Est. Online Degree Availability
32%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Quinsigamond Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,413
Completions By Degree
750
Est. Online Degree Availability
17%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Nashua Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,039
Completions By Degree
197
Est. Online Degree Availability
25%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Nashua Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
1,039
Completions By Degree
197
Est. Online Degree Availability
25%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Middlesex Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,658
Completions By Degree
731
Est. Online Degree Availability
63%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Mount Wachusett Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
2,554
Completions By Degree
442
Est. Online Degree Availability
32%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Middlesex Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are of traditional age and some programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
4,658
Completions By Degree
731
Est. Online Degree Availability
63%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
Quinsigamond Community College is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes part-time. Most of the students are a mixture of traditional and adult aged and minimal programs completed were offered online.
Undergraduate Enrollment
5,413
Completions By Degree
750
Est. Online Degree Availability
17%
2-Year Private Nonprofit Schools Near Shirley, Massachusetts
There are at least 2 two-year private nonprofit schools offering associate degrees near Shirley, Massachusetts. According to 2024 data from Lightcast™, in 2024, a total of 104 associate degrees were completed at those institutions. Tuition shown reflects in-state rates.
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
St Joseph School of Nursing is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at St Joseph School of Nursing. In 2024, 52 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
89
Completions By Degree
52
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Avg. UG Tuition & Fees
School Type
Accredited
Non-Profit
St Joseph School of Nursing is an institutionally accredited 2-year school where most students attend classes full-time. Most of the students are adults and no programs completed were offered online. Associate degrees are the most popular at St Joseph School of Nursing. In 2024, 52 associate degrees were completed. In addition, 0 bachelor's degrees, 0 master's degrees, and 0 doctoral degrees were earned.
Undergraduate Enrollment
89
Completions By Degree
52
Est. Online Degree Availability
0%
Affordable Colleges Near Shirley, Massachusetts
Wondering what you can expect to pay for a degree near Shirley, Massachusetts? According to undergraduate tuition data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, the average tuition at Shirley-area's 4-year nonprofit schools is $28,752. The average tuition at similar 4-year for-profit schools near Shirley is N/A, while tuition at 2-year online colleges and universities is N/A.
4-Year Nonprofit
4-Year For-Profit
2-Year
Accredited Colleges Serving Shirley, Massachusetts
Earning a college degree is an investment — and earning a degree from an institutionally accredited university is one of the best ways to ensure your education is of high quality. Institutionally accredited universities are held to rigorous standards by state and regional bodies and undergo regular reviews to verify that their processes and academic programs meet the proper standards.
Wondering if a certain college or university offering degree programs in Shirley, Massachusetts is institutionally accredited? View a list of institutionally accredited colleges and universities serving Shirley, Massachusetts here. We've made it easy to find your school by breaking down the list by school type.
- Franklin University
- Rivier University
- Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
- Rivier University
- Thomas More College of Liberal Arts
- Mount Wachusett Community College
- Quinsigamond Community College
- Nashua Community College
- Nashua Community College
- Middlesex Community College
- Mount Wachusett Community College
- Middlesex Community College
- Quinsigamond Community College
Shirley, Massachusetts Job Market & Opportunities
What happens after you earn your college degree in Shirley? What's the Shirley, Massachusetts job market outlook? Get a snapshot of jobs and careers, including annual job openings, median earnings and more.
In 2024, there were about 2,100,156 jobs in the Shirley, Massachusetts area. From 2023-2024, job growth in Shirley was below the national average, at 0.6%. There were 241,302 job openings in the area. In terms of earnings, workers in Shirley do better than the national average, with an average hourly pay of $28.08.