From The Boston Globe · · 1m 20s
Free Community College Boosts State University Enrollment
Massachusetts state universities see first enrollment rise in over a decade as free community college policies attract transfer students.
In brief
Massachusetts state universities see first enrollment rise in over a decade as free community college policies attract transfer students. Massachusetts state universities gained 2.2% enrollment this fall, their first increase since 2013, driven by transfer students from community colleges. Originally reported by The…
State University Enrollment Rises
State universities saw their first enrollment increase in over a decade this fall, up 2.2 percent compared to last fall.
Community College Enrollment Grows
Community colleges experienced a fourth consecutive year of enrollment growth, rising 3.9 percent this fall.
Transfer Student Surge
Transfer student enrollment at state universities increased by 16.6 percent, with community colleges as the main source of new transfers.
Recent College Closures Impact Transfers
Students transferring from recently closed institutions like Anna Maria College and Hampshire College contributed to the enrollment gains.
Completion Rates Improve
On-time credit accumulation at community colleges reached 70.6 percent for the fall 2025 cohort, up from pandemic lows.
Equity Gaps Persist
Black and Hispanic students at community colleges remain below target completion rates despite improvements in on-time credit accumulation.
Transfer Student Completion Rate
Transfer students completed their degrees at a 64.6 percent rate in 2025, just below the 2033 target of 65 percent.
Enrollment Cliff Ahead
Massachusetts faces an enrollment decline as college-age populations shrink, requiring new strategies to maintain enrollment growth.
The one thing
Massachusetts state universities gained 2.2% enrollment this fall, their first increase since 2013, driven by transfer students from community colleges.
