One of the most densely populated and geographically varied states in the nation, Massachusetts enjoys an incredibly diverse economy. The state’s largest employers include Massachusetts General Hospital, Lucent Technologies, Charles River Laboratories, and John Hancock Life Insurance Company, just to name a few. Depending on the degree field you choose, you will find ample opportunities within Massachusetts’s rapidly expanding career market. Here are just a few of the state’s top industries.

Service and Hospitality
With more than one-third of its workers employed in the tourism industry, Massachusetts offers hundreds of degree programs that groom students for satisfying careers in fields such as ecotourism and hotel management. Graduates of these people-focused disciplines can work in a number of thrilling settings including visually stunning Martha’s Vineyard and fast-paced Metro Boston.

Manufacturing Tradition
Despite recent and nationwide economic uncertainty, Massachusetts’s historically strong manufacturing sector continues to thrive, according to a 2008 study conducted by Northeastern University’s Center for Urban and Regional Policy. Massachusetts’s more than 700 manufacturing firms—producing items as diverse as pharmaceuticals, plastic goods, heavy machinery, and electronic equipment—are spread across the state’s seven regions, providing a wealth of career opportunities.

“Outdoor” Careers
Fishing and horticulture are just two of the hundreds of natural sciences careers made possible by Massachusetts’s unique landscape. Livestock and dairy production account for roughly 12 percent of the state’s economy, making farm management a popular degree choice for students in rural regions. Other top agricultural contributions include cranberries, greenhouse and nursery items, and apples.

Careers in commercial fishing also continue to rise along the country’s east coast. New Bedford, Massachusetts, alone produces about half of the nation’s scallops, while port cities along the state’s lengthy coastline produce a bounty of sea life, including lobster, clams, crabs, herring, and tuna.

The state is rich in the lime, clay, sand, gravel, and stone used to pave the nation’s roadways, and several Massachusetts colleges and universities prepare students for highly lucrative careers in mining and mineral engineering.

Rising Technological Demand
In recent years, cities across the United States have experienced an increased demand for technically trained individuals in industries such as:

• Biophysics
• Computer software engineering
• Health care
• Network systems and data communications
• Veterinary science

Massachusetts schools respond to this demand—particularly within the technological hotbed of Greater Boston—with degrees in fields as varied as information systems, neurosurgery, and zoology.

Excellence in Education
Boston University is one of Massachusetts’s largest employers, but recent studies report a state-wide need for teachers at every level of education. Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education provides details on each of the state’s school districts, as well as access to education administrators and educator services. From there, you can visit www.CollegeView.com to find the right Massachusetts teaching program to fit your goals.

As a state known for its high academic standards, Massachusetts is perhaps especially committed to making college affordable for students and their families. In addition to increasing Pell Grant and Federal Work Study offerings using funds awarded in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), Massachusetts continues to develop top-notch state-funded programs to help students earn a quality education for a better life. Take a brief look at some of the funding options available exclusively to students pursuing degrees in Massachusetts.

Education Grant-ed

• The Cash Grant Program provides need-based assistance to students unable to meet institutional charges such as mandatory fees and non-state-supported tuition.
• The Massachusetts Public Service Grant Program benefits spouses and children of Massachusetts individuals killed or missing in the line of public service duty.
• MASSGrant provides need-based financial aid to Massachusetts students pursuing a degree at any approved institution of higher education.
• The Part-Time Grant Program was designed to assist a growing number of part-time students with the rising cost of education.

Scholarships Galore

• Students in Massachusetts’s rural areas have an advantage with the Agnes M. Lindsay Scholarship, which awards money for public college tuition based on need.
• State-supported undergraduate tuition waivers are available to recipients of the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. One goal of the fund is to bring high-performing students to Massachusetts colleges and universities.
• The Paul Tsongas Scholarship awards merit-based funds to students who have completed high school in three years with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.75 and an SAT score of at least 1200.
• In response to increased need for math and science teachers, the Massachusetts Legislature established the Math and Science Teachers Scholarship.

Tuition Waivers
In addition to the aforementioned programs, many Massachusetts students are eligible for state-funded, need- and merit-based tuition waivers that cover a wide range of criteria. Notable programs of this kind include the DSS Adopted Children Tuition Waiver, Incentive Program for Aspiring Teachers Tuition Waiver, September 11, 2001 Tragedy Tuition Waiver, and the Valedictorian Program Tuition Waiver.

Loan Smarts
Once you’ve explored all possible avenues for financial assistance, you may still find it still necessary to use loans to fund your education. Student loans—particularly those secured from the federal government at the lowest rate possible—can be a helpful option, but students should carefully review the different types of loans and their repayment terms before borrowing money.

One state-specific loan option available to Massachusetts students is the Massachusetts No Interest Loan. Eligible residents can receive $1,000-$4,000 per academic year (lifetime maximum of $20,000) based on financial need as determined by their completed FAFSA.  Learn more about these and other Massachusetts financial aid resources.

As you prepare to begin your college education—or if you’re transferring from one school to another—remember first and foremost that staying organized can give you the edge you need to get accepted to your school of choice. Start by keeping detailed notes and filing copies of all necessary paperwork. Establish early and frequent contact with an admissions representative from your school, and be sure to consult with them as questions arise during the application process.

Public vs. Private
Depending on where you want to study, admissions requirements and procedures can be very different. Private colleges, for example, often require letters of recommendation, personal essays, and at least one face-to-face interview with incoming freshmen, whereas many public universities waive these requirements in favor of a comprehensive review of students’ past academic performance.

Necessary Application Materials
While you can expect slight variation between public schools—especially two-year and community colleges, where a wider range of factors must be considered for students enrolling in specialized programs—the state of Massachusetts has put into place a list of minimum requirements for entry into a state or UMass institution. Be sure that your application packet includes:

• A high school diploma or equivalent
• SAT or ACT test results
• High school transcripts reflecting the16 required academic courses, which are:
  English (four courses)
  Math (three courses – algebra I&II and geometry or trigonometry)
  Sciences (three courses, two of which include laboratory components)
  Social sciences (two courses, including one course in U.S. history)
  Foreign languages (two courses in a single language)
  Electives (two courses)
• Proof of minimum required grade point average (GPA) in college preparatory courses (typically 3.0)

Info for Transfer Students
Almost all Massachusetts colleges and universities welcome transfer students—even those who are from out of state and/or have multiple transcripts. Many community colleges have what are referred to as “transfer articulation agreements” with four-year colleges to help ease the transfer process for students, but these agreements are often conditional and vary from school to school.

Students transferring to a public institution of higher education in Massachusetts must meet one of the following criteria:

• A minimum college GPA of 2.5 and 12–23 transferable college credits;
• A minimum college GPA of 2.0 and up to 23 transferable college credits, as well a high school transcript that reflects the aforementioned requirements for incoming freshmen; or
• 24 or more transferable college credits and a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Although these transfer requirements are standardized for public schools in the state of Massachusetts, it is important to check with an advisor at your current or previous school before attempting any transfer to be sure that you understand the procedure.

No matter which degree path you choose, your college experience can vary greatly depending on location. Massachusetts students can choose from a seemingly endless spectrum of locales and academic disciplines. But whether you’re studying aquatic wildlife at a coastal institute or taking engineering courses at one of UMass’s nationally known campuses, you’ll find a combination of elements of college life that can only be found in Massachusetts.

For starters, there’s the unparalleled geographical diversity that defines Massachusetts. Nowhere else in the world can a student experience the scenic majesty of lakes and foothills, sandy beaches, and sweeping river basins, all within a short drive. Here’s a look at a few other characteristics that make earning a degree in Massachusetts a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

• A wealth of history. Massachusetts is home to countless historical sites—and although many of them center on American colonization, that’s only part of the state’s rich story. Massachusetts derives its name from just one of the many Native American tribes that occupied the region prior to the arrival of European settlers. The state later hosted landmark industrialization projects and was established as a forerunner in modern American economy and society, a characterization that it maintains today.

• Academic excellence. Since Harvard University, America’s oldest higher education institution, opened its doors in 1636, Massachusetts has been recognized as one of the world’s most respected leaders in academics. In addition to the more than 60 colleges and universities in Boston alone, dozens of two-year and community colleges, as well as internationally known undergraduate and graduate institutions, add to Massachusetts’s unrivaled scholastic reputation.

• Culture and entertainment. With so many outlets for arts, leisure, relaxation, and downright fun, it’s no wonder that Massachusetts is the destination for thousands of college-bound students. Whether you’re cheering the Boston Red Sox on to victory, lounging on a sail boat in Salem Harbor, attending a campus book-signing, shopping and dining in Cape Cod, or snow skiing in Berkshire, there’s no end to the possibilities for stimulation and excitement in Massachusetts.

• Boundless career opportunities. Don’t let fast-paced Greater Boston be your only guide to employment in Massachusetts—although it’s a great place to start for students seeking careers, with its bustling financial, technological, educational, and business hubs. Regardless of the discipline you choose, Massachusetts is home to some of the nation’s top employers in fields such as agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and commerce.

Made up of seven distinct regions, Massachusetts is one of the most exciting and diverse states in the union. Use this helpful map as well as the region descriptions below to understand the unique geography of Massachusetts, and view a full list of colleges and universities in each area.

Berkshire
Massachusetts’s westernmost region boasts a rich history dating back to the early 1700s. In recent years, the area has welcomed hundreds of artists, poets, and writers who seek relative seclusion and immense natural beauty. Just 2.5 hours from Boston and New York City, Berkshire offers year-round film, dance, and visual art festivals in addition to endless outdoor opportunities.

Pioneer Valley
Diversity abounds within Pioneer Valley’s three counties. Agricultural Franklin County produces a bounty of corn, tobacco, and other crops. Neighboring Hampshire County enjoys a quicker pace with major retailers and the Five Colleges consortium. Museums and attractions, such as the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, dot Hampden County. Bisected by the Connecticut River, Pioneer Valley is also a prime spot for outdoor fun.

Central Massachusetts
Five sectors make up this fascinating region:

• Blackstone Valley’s breathtaking scenery is perfect for hiking and fishing.
• Corridor Nine is the region’s economic center with a bustling business core.
• Johnny Appleseed Trail is home to rare scenic beauty and fruit orchards.
• The Sturbridge Townships boast quaint inns and relaxing taverns.
• Worcester, home to the region’s largest city, contains 11 colleges and universities and a variety of culture, nightlife, and sports.

Greater Boston
A wellspring of American history and culture, Greater Boston is tied to education, finance, industry, and tourism in cities such as Cambridge, Framingham, Peabody, Quincy, and Waltham. Such major Boston corporations as Bose, Diebold, Hewlett-Packard, Raytheon, and Reebok employ thousands of recent graduates. In addition to its array of professional sports teams, Boston boasts a plethora of two-year colleges as well as internationally renowned undergraduate and graduate universities, prompting some to call it America’s largest “college town.”

Northeast Massachusetts
Rich history defines cities such as Salem and Gloucester, where industry and lore contribute equally to the region’s fascinating identity. Consisting of both port and inland cities, the Northeast provides vast opportunities for study and employment. The birthplace of the U.S. Navy, the Northeast still contributes much to the country’s seafaring sector, while maintaining a strong manufacturing and engineering core.

Southeast Massachusetts
Massachusetts’s Southeast mixes fun and relaxation with intellectual and professional growth. The National Monument to the Forefathers at Plymouth has welcomed millions of seafarers since it was erected in 1889, and modern attractions such as Fall River Heritage State Park and the Capron Park Zoo continue to entertain visitors and residents alike. Though the region’s borders are subject to debate, it is estimated that Southeast Massachusetts is home to roughly 1 million people in 52 cities and towns such as Brockton, Attleboro, and Taunton.

Cape and Islands
This scenically gorgeous region is a hotbed of tourism and hospitality. The Cape consists of 15 towns in Barsnstable County that attract vacationers and celebrities who contribute to the economic boom that the region experiences between Memorial Day and Labor Day each year. World-famous resort towns, such as Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, are located on the islands surrounding Massachusetts.