# 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.
- Title: Free Community College Boosts State University Enrollment
- Summary: Massachusetts state universities see first enrollment rise in over a decade as free community college policies attract transfer students. Massachusetts state…
- Keywords: massachusetts, state universities, community colleges, transfer students, enrollment, free tuition, news, local, Free, Community, College, Boosts
- Source: The Boston Globe — https://bostonglobe.com/2026/10/20/business/free-community-college-state-university-enrollment
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: massachusetts, state universities, community colleges, transfer students, enrollment, free tuition, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

Massachusetts state universities gained 2.2% enrollment this fall, their first increase since 2013, driven by transfer students from community colleges.