Press Release  Governor Healey Announces Continued Growth in Public Higher Education Enrollment

BOSTON — Governor Maura Healey announced today that undergraduate enrollment at Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities continues to grow, with preliminary data showing a 2.2 percent increase this fall to nearly 176,000 students. The new data, presented at today's Board of Higher Education meeting, mark the fourth consecutive year of systemwide enrollment growth, including the first increase at Massachusetts' nine state universities since 2013.

The continued growth comes as Governor Healey has made historic investments to make higher education more affordable and accessible for Massachusetts students. The Governor has made community college free for students of all ages, expanded financial aid at public four-year colleges and universities, and increased support to help students stay on track and graduate.

“We made community college free, expanded financial aid and invested in student support because everyone deserves a shot at a great education and a good job,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Now more students are enrolling at our public colleges and universities, including our state universities for the first time in more than a decade. We know this results in higher wages for graduates and more skilled talent for employers. We're going to keep breaking down barriers so students can get to college, graduate and build their futures right here in Massachusetts.”

“Making college more affordable opens doors for students and strengthens our entire state,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Our public colleges and universities are preparing the next generation of nurses, teachers, engineers and skilled workers that our state needs, because we know that public higher ed grads like myself are more likely to stay in Massachusetts. We're proud to see more students taking advantage of these opportunities, and we're committed to helping them succeed.”

According to the Department of Higher Education’s preliminary fall 2026 enrollment data: 

• Community colleges: Enrollment increased 3.9 percent to 89,464 students. Since fall 2022, community college enrollment has grown 43.5 percent, adding approximately 27,000 students.
• State universities: Undergraduate enrollment increased 2.2 percent to 32,345 students, marking the first overall increase in the segment since 2013. 
• UMass system: Undergraduate enrollment at the University of Massachusetts remained steady, decreasing 0.6 percent to 54,179 students, which UMass data shows is largely due to international student enrollment impacts from federal policy changes. 

The data also show more students transferring into Massachusetts' public four-year universities. New transfer student enrollment increased 16.6 percent at state universities and 3.8 percent at UMass campuses compared to last fall. The Department of Higher Education will conduct further analysis of these trends in the coming months.

“These increases in enrollment reinforce how important it is to strengthen the connections between our schools and colleges and universities, and why we must continue to help more students see college as a possibility,” said Education Secretary Steve Zrike. “Every student deserves a clear pathway to higher education and the support they need to succeed once they get there.”

“Talent is one of Massachusetts’ greatest competitive strengths, and our public colleges and universities are essential to building that advantage,” said Economic Development Secretary Eric Paley. “Making college more affordable helps more residents develop the skills employers need and build careers here in Massachusetts. These investments strengthen our ability to attract businesses, help companies grow, and keep our economy competitive.”

In addition to enrollment, the Department of Higher Education released updated student success data showing encouraging progress in first-year persistence and on-time credit accumulation. The share of community college students returning for their second fall semester increased to 62.2 percent, while state universities reached 87.0 percent. On-time credit accumulation also continued to improve at both segments, reaching 40.3 percent at community colleges and 70.6 percent at state universities. At UMass undergraduate campuses, first-year persistence remained steady at 90.6 percent.

The report also highlights the continued need to improve graduation rates and close equity gaps. The latest six-year completion rates are 34.4 percent at community colleges, 66.4 percent at state universities and 76.7 percent at UMass campuses, with lower completion rates among Black and Hispanic or Latino students across all three segments.

“We are encouraged that students continue to find opportunities in Massachusetts’ public higher education system,” said Interim Commissioner José Luis Santos. “But getting students through the door is only the beginning. The gains we see in on-time credit accumulation are promising, and we remain focused on closing equity gaps and making sure every student has the support they need to complete their degree.”

While the Trump Administration has continued to attack higher education and there was a nationally anticipated demographic cliff, Massachusetts has continued to make progress expanding affordability and success. Governor Healey, in partnership with the state legislature, made community college tuition and fee free and expanded financial aid at public four-year colleges for low- and middle-income students, doubling state spending on financial aid. The state also launched the Massachusetts Cooperative Education Initiative to expand co-ops, creating more opportunities for students to gain paid work experience while strengthening the state’s workforce pipeline.

Governor Healey has also focused on helping students prepare for college before they graduate high school. This year, the administration approved 29 new Early College partnerships, creating nearly 1,700 additional seats for students to earn college credits at no cost. The Fiscal Year 2027 budget includes $2.3 million to support Advanced Placement exam fee subsidies, professional development and classroom resources.

The state’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget also includes more than $400 million for state financial aid programs. The budget invests $38 million in SUCCESS programs across the public higher education system, including $14 million each for community colleges and state universities and $10 million to launch the program at UMass for the first time. These programs provide students with academic advising, mentoring, career guidance and financial assistance for unexpected expenses, including housing, transportation and child care, that might otherwise prevent them from completing their education.

Last year, Governor Healey released a state report showing that, five years after graduation, graduates of Massachusetts public colleges or universities make $20,000 to $30,000 more per year than their peers who did not pursue higher education. The administration has focused on helping students see themselves in college, including through the launch of “Go Higher,” a brand and awareness campaign designed to increase exposure to higher education and improve the information pipeline, and recommended high school graduation requirements that include all students making their own plan for college or career and complete the FAFSA/MASFA or opt out.

“This significant rise in enrollment underscores that the Massachusetts public higher education system is one of our state’s greatest assets,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “The Senate has worked hard to make public higher education more affordable in Massachusetts and it’s exciting to see that work bear fruit. Growing and strengthening these institutions means that higher education is more attainable for everyone. Our state economy will reap the benefits for years to come.”

For Massachusetts students with the highest financial need, tuition and fees are free at all public colleges and universities, including all nine state universities and University of Massachusetts (UMass) undergraduate campuses, and students receive help paying for books and supplies. Community college is free regardless of income level, with the state offering one of the most comprehensive free community college programs in the country.

Statements of Support
 

Representative Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), House Chair, Joint Committee on Higher Education:

"The House has made significant investments to make higher education more affordable, including SUCCESS, Free Community College, and Early College programs. This enrollment surge is an encouraging sign that these investments are making a difference."

Marty Meehan, President of UMass:

“Like many research universities, UMass faces impacts to international enrollment as a result of federal policy actions, but the long-term resiliency and stability of enrollment and student demand is a testament to the work that we have long been doing at the university. UMass’s strong academic offerings, nationally ranked campuses, and affordable and accessible programs ​continue to position the university well to handle the changing environment, and we are grateful to the Healey-Driscoll Administration and the Legislature for their historic investments in financial aid that - in combination with our own record $449 million in UMass-funded financial aid - are helping ensure a world-class UMass education remains accessible.”

Mary Grant, State University Council of Presidents Chair, President of Massachusetts College of Art and Design

“Our first across-the-board enrollment increase in over a decade demonstrates that efforts to lift barriers for students, including the state’s historic financial aid expansion, have continued to strengthen our state universities as places that serve as an open door to rigorous learning, support, and transformation in our communities. This increase also speaks to the creativity and innovation of our institutions and the enduring value of a high-quality state university education that equips students with the skills to succeed in both today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.”

William Heineman, President, North Shore Community College, Chair, Community College Council of Presidents:

"This year’s report underscores what the community colleges are seeing on our campuses – the simple message of Free Community College continues to drive enrollment and provide opportunities for the Commonwealth. Not only are students coming to our colleges, but they’re also excelling here. We are immensely grateful to the Healey-Driscoll administration and the legislature for their investments in our colleges and our students."

Jessica Tang, President, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts:

"Seeing enrollment grow during a time of great uncertainty for higher education nationwide is a testament to the investment and steps Governor Healey and the Legislature have taken to prioritize our students, our universities, and the tens of thousands of residents they employee. Providing the resources and support to ensure our students are able to be successful not only puts them on a pathway toward economic mobility, it is an important investment in our economic security as a state that relies heavily on an educated workforce. As the federal agenda on education continues to weaponize our campuses and push a degree further out of reach for many Americans, we must remain committed to these priorities. The AFT Massachusetts looks forward to continuing our partnership with the Healey Administration and state leaders to ensure public higher education remains a strong, viable option for students across the state."

Josiane Martinez, Founder and CEO, Archipelago Strategies Group; Chair, Governor's Advisory Council on Latino Empowerment:

“Four consecutive years of growth in public higher education enrollment shows what is possible when we invest in removing barriers and expanding opportunity for students and families. The Governor’s Advisory Council on Latino Empowerment (LEAC) has consistently advocated for making higher education more affordable and accessible, including through free community college and expanded Early College pathways. The continued growth at our community colleges is especially meaningful because it means more students, including first-generation students and those who may not have otherwise seen college as within reach, have a pathway to a degree and a good-paying career. I applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration for continuing to invest in our students and in the future of Massachusetts.”

 
Tanisha M. Sullivan, Chair, Governor's Advisory Council on Black Empowerment:

"Four straight years of enrollment growth, led by our community colleges, show that when we make higher education affordable, students show up. For Black and Brown students and working families across Massachusetts, that access is where opportunity becomes real. Now we have to make sure every student who enrolls also finishes, and closing equity gaps in graduation rates must be our next priority." 
 

Amanda Fernandez, CEO and Founder, Latinos for Education:

“The continued growth in enrollment across Massachusetts’ public colleges and universities is an encouraging sign that efforts to make higher education more accessible and affordable are opening doors for more students and families. For Latino students, who represent a growing share of our Commonwealth’s future workforce, these opportunities are especially meaningful. But access is only the first step. We must ensure that students have the resources and support they need to persist, graduate, and translate their education into economic mobility. As we celebrate this progress, we must remain equally committed to closing persistent equity gaps so that every student has the opportunity not just to enroll, but to succeed.”

Brooke Thomson, President & CEO, Associated Industries of Massachusetts (AIM): 

"The increase in undergraduates attending public colleges and universities in Massachusetts is good news for the state economy because a large percentage of these students will remain in the commonwealth to live and work once they graduate. We are particularly heartened by the 3.9 percent enrollment increase at Community Colleges, which provide skilled and motivated employees to many industries. These numbers reflect the effectiveness of consistent investment by the commonwealth in higher education and the need for continued investment as we seek to educate and prepare the workers who will drive the economy in the future."

Ed Lambert, Executive Director, Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education:

“The release of this data is an important component for state leaders and the public to measure success. Increased access to education, which these numbers suggest, is a real positive. It’s our hope that the early indicators show a path forward to improving completion rates that will keep Massachusetts economy competitive.” 

Femi Stoltz, Massachusetts Policy Director, uAspire:

"Massachusetts is making steady progress toward its 2033 higher education goals. Promising data highlights key indicators of success, underscoring the importance of continued commitment to increasing postsecondary access and student achievement." 

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