15 Military Friendly Colleges in Massachusetts

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

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) provides dedicated support services tailored for veterans, service members, and their families. At UMass Boston, the Student Veterans’ Center, operated by students, was established to offer essential support to the student veteran community.

Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, UMB offers an unlimited number of undergraduate students up to $6,460 per student annually. Graduate students can also benefit, receiving up to $6,033 per student per year, with doctoral students offered the same annual contribution.

Eligible veterans may receive transfer credits for their military training. The retention rate stands at 75% for full-time students receiving military benefits, while part-time students maintain a rate of 80%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $6,239
Grad: $5,721

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 489
Grad: 51

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 75%
Part Time: 80%

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

The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB) provides dedicated support services tailored for veterans, service members, and their families. At UMass Boston, the Student Veterans’ Center, operated by students, was established to offer essential support to the student veteran community.

Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, UMB offers an unlimited number of undergraduate students up to $6,460 per student annually. Graduate students can also benefit, receiving up to $6,033 per student per year, with doctoral students offered the same annual contribution.

Eligible veterans may receive transfer credits for their military training. The retention rate stands at 75% for full-time students receiving military benefits, while part-time students maintain a rate of 80%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $11,362
Grad: $6,935

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 170
Grad: 60

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 80%
Part Time: 60%

3 Suffolk University
73 Tremont Street | Boston, MA 02108

Suffolk University is committed to catering to the educational needs of both current and former service members. Among its initiatives, Suffolk takes part in Veterans Upward Bound (VUB), a pre-college program offered free of charge. This program assists eligible U.S. military veterans in honing the skills necessary for success in college.

Participating in the Yellow Ribbon Program, Suffolk provides generous support, offering up to $25,000 per year for 150 undergraduate students. Additionally, 35 graduate students can receive the same yearly contribution, while 35 law students are eligible for up to $28,000 annually.

Eligible veterans have the opportunity to receive transfer credits for their military training. The retention rates for full-time students utilizing military benefits stand at an impressive 90%, while part-time students achieve a retention rate of 100%.

Average Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits Awarded

Undergrad: $30,756
Grad: $30,411

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 50
Grad: 41

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: 100%

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

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: $13,713
Grad: $9,345

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 170
Grad: 65

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 72%
Part Time: 100%

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

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: $12,378
Grad: $11,176

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 103
Grad: 7

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: 100%

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

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: $7,561
Grad: $6,087

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 94
Grad: 15

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 72%
Part Time: 50%

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

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: $25,092
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 22
Grad: 5

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 76%
Part Time: 100%

8 MCPHS University
179 Longwood Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115

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: $26,188
Grad: $22,293

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 46
Grad: 28

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: N/A

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

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: $9,094
Grad: $6,105

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 114
Grad: 11

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 71%
Part Time: 67%

10 Framingham State University

100 State Street, Framingham, Massachusetts 01701

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: $7,428
Grad: $4,217

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 66
Grad: 7

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 67%
Part Time: N/A

11 University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

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

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: $11,588
Grad: $14,140

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 59
Grad: 31

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 82%
Part Time: N/A

12 Westfield State University

577 Western Ave, Westfield, Massachusetts 01086-1630

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: $3,721
Grad: $4,046

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 92
Grad: 27

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 50%
Part Time: 20%

13 Quincy College

1250 Hancock Street, Quincy, Massachusetts 02169

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: $4,189
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 66
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 90%
Part Time: 62%

14 Bunker Hill Community College

250 New Rutherford Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02129-2925

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: $3,996
Grad: N/A

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 209
Grad: N/A

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 74%
Part Time: 81%

15 Endicott College

376 Hale Street, Beverly, Massachusetts 01915

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: $18,501
Grad: $9,106

# of Students Earning 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Undergrad: 47
Grad: 17

Retention Rates For Students Who Receive Benefits

Full Time: 100%
Part Time: 100%