The best schools in Massachusetts are the higher tier schools, such as Boston College and Harvard, that typically have larger budgets and more resources available to students. These schools provide a full-ride scholarship for many students and give valuable scholarships to many others. However, when it comes to higher education in Massachusetts, there are some institutions that fall short of providing the necessary resources and support for their students to succeed. These lower tier schools often struggle with limited budgets, resulting in a lack of professor-student interaction, heavy workloads, and little attention from the administration. Boston College, for example, is considered a top middle tier school with subpar returns on investment, making it one of the worst colleges in the state.
In order to gain admission to one of these lower tier schools in Massachusetts, students may not need to meet as stringent requirements as they would for a top-tier institution. However, basic admission requirements still apply, including a high school diploma or equivalent, standardized test scores (such as the SAT or ACT), letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Some schools may also require applicants to participate in an admissions interview.
The admission process for these lower tier schools typically involves submitting an application online or by mail, along with any required documents (transcripts, test scores, etc.) and application fees. Once the application has been reviewed, applicants may be contacted for an interview or asked to provide additional information. Admission decisions are usually made based on a combination of academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.
worst colleges in america by state massachusetts
1. Massachusetts – Montserrat College of Art
With MIT, colleges have an incredibly high bar in Massachusetts. Without a doubt, Massachusetts has a lot of great schools, but Montserrat stands out as being one of the worst. The graduation rate at Monserrat College of Art sits at 48.5%, according to the Department of Education.CollegeFactual reports that the average student will walk away with $47,340 in loan debt, which is pretty bad considering they only make around $26,500 median earnings six years after graduation. That’s not great odds.
2. Michigan – Baker College in Flint
Flint has had troubles, and Baker College is also struggling. Only 21.1% of students graduate, and when they do, they leave with $22,852 in debt. That can be pretty hard to pay off as Niche reports the median salary six years after graduation is just $27,200.
This coupled with the fact that Flint has had its share of troubles, the default rate on student loans sits at 16% and on the rise. The only good news we can report is that 82% are employed two years after graduation.
3. Minnesota – Crown College
One of the only good things about Crown College is the 57.1% graduation rate. Now for the bad news: students leave with $31,720 and the median earnings six years post-graduation is $35,100.
It gets worse when you find out that 9.3% of those student loan borrowers default on their loans. Being a student can also feel tough since there’s only one professor per 19 students. That’s not a great ratio.
4. Mississippi – Mississippi Valley State University
Only 29.8% of students actually graduate from Mississippi Valley State University. Even though it’s a decent price ($14,339 annually), students still end up with loans of $32,252. After graduation doesn’t look too stellar, either.
After six years, the median salary is $23,200, which is extremely low. It would also explain why the default rate is a high 18.9%. Students just aren’t making enough money to pay down their loans.
13 Worst Colleges in America
The best way to recognize the worst colleges is the large amounts of money students pay, probably financed by a loan, to receive a bad quality education that most students drop out of before graduation, hence the low graduation rate. However, other factors should be considered as well to create the final image of an educational institution. According to our research and collected data, these are some of the worst colleges in America:
1. DeVry University
DeVry University is a semester-based academic educational institution founded in 1931. The University has small campuses in about 16 states in America. Even though it offers decent online-programs DeVry University is on our list of worst colleges in America due to the following data:
- Acceptance rate: 44%
- Application fee: $30
- Tuition and fees: $17,488 (the academic year 2021-22)
- Net price (the average cost of the university after the reduction of the aid and scholarship funds from the total cost) for federal loan recipients: $28,983 (the academic year 2019-2020)
- Average federal loan debt after graduation: $28,308
- Average federal loan debt among students who don’t graduate: $8,409
According to U.S. News Overall Rankings out of 100 universities, DeVry is at the bottom 25%, while the Average 6-year graduation rate is 25%. Numbers that don’t speak very highly of DeVry University. With its high acceptance rate, low graduation rate, overpriced tuition fees, and loan debt it’s more than clear why DeVry University is one of the worst colleges in America.
2. Bob Jones University
U.S. News data doesn’t “speak highly” of Bob Jones University, located in South Carolina. Check them out to see why this school made it to our list of worst colleges in America:
- High acceptance rate: 89%
- Application fee: $25
- Tuition and fees: $21,890 (the academic year 2022-23)
- Room and board: $9,350
- Net price (the average cost of the university after the reduction of the aid and scholarship funds from the total cost) for federal loan recipients: $13,757 (the academic year 2019-2020)
- Average federal loan debt after graduation: $18,500
- Average federal loan debt among students who don’t graduate: $6,500
Another fact that says a lot about Bob Jones University’s accepted applicants is their SAT score (from 990 to 1260) and ACT score (from 20 to 27). Even though Bob Jones University has a higher average graduation rate of 65%, still the overall rankings and the weird campus rules (couples mustn’t socialize, different music genres are banned, not all movies are allowed for watching on campus…) place this private Christian university among the worst in America.
3. Morris College
Situated in Sumter, South Caroline, Morris College is a small 4-year college with a religious attachment to the Baptist faith. College simply data tell us more about Morris College, starting from its open admission policy to the low average salaries for students after graduation:
- Tuition: $13,420
- Books and supplies: $3,000
- Other fees: $1,560
- Room and board: $6,672
- Budget for other expenses: $3,900
- Total cost for one year: $28,552
- Graduation rate within 6 years: 33%
- Average annual salary after 10 years: $25,300
If you take a closer look at this data, it’s obvious why Morris College is one of the worst colleges in America. Anyone can apply policy says a lot about the school. If we add the other available information about the expenses, low graduation rate, and low salary after graduation, it’s clear why a future applicant should avoid this college.
4. Florida Memorial University
Florida Memorial University is another small 4-year private school with a religious affiliation with the Baptist faith. It’s located in Miami Gardens, Florida in a large suburban setting with bad infrastructure, housing, and cafeteria food, something students often complain about. And that’s not all! Here is some more information that backs up our decision to put Florida Memorial University on our list of worst colleges in America:
- Future applicants: GPA: 2.7
- Application fee: $25
- Tuition: $12,576
- Books and supplies: $2,500
- Other fees: $3,600
- Room and board: $7,776
- Budget for other expenses: $4,000
- Total cost for one year: $30,452
- Graduation rate within 6 years: 42%
- Average annual salary after 10 years: $27,600
With the student’s complaints and the poor data including high tuition fees, and low expected salary after graduation, it’s clear why Florida Memorial University made it to our list.
5. Salem University
Salem University is situated in Salem, West Virginia in a small distant rural setting. It’s a private college offering a 4-year semester-based program. With its open admission policy permitting the enrollment of every student regardless of their educational background, the low graduation rate, and the data on tuition and other expenses Salem University was added to our list of the worst colleges in America:
- Tuition: $16,500
- Books and supplies: $1000
- Other fees: $400
- Room and board: $8,400
- Budget for other expenses: $2,000
- Total cost for one year: $28,300
- Graduation rate within 6 years: 14%
- Average annual salary after 10 years: $33,600
Salem University’s students have complained about the food on campus, as well as the unresponsive attitude of the college advisors, and some professors that didn’t attend online classes. As you can see nothing speaks highly of Salem University, so that’s one college less on your list for possible future educational choices.
6. University of Montevallo
According to U.S. News statistics, the University of Montevallo is another less selective college with a 90% acceptance rate. Half of the enrolled students have an SAT score from 970 to 1200 or an ACT score from 19 to 26, while one quarter scored below these ranges. The University of Montevallo has a rural setting located in Alabama and offers a semester-based academic program. Here are the overall rankings of the University of Montevallo:
- Overall Score (out of 100): 59
- Average 6-year graduation rate: 53%
- In-state tuition and fees: $13,710 (for the academic year 2022-23)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $26,730 (for the academic year: 2022-23)
- Average private loan debt at graduation for 9% of graduating students who took out private loans: $22,341
- Average federal loan debt after graduation: $23,823
- Average federal loan debt among students who don’t graduate: $11,000
If we add student complaints (limited parking, bad cafeteria food, limited financial aid options, poor brick roads…) to these data it’s obvious why the University of Montevallo is on our list of the worst colleges in America.
7. Shaw University
Shaw University is a private university with an acceptance rate of 71% that attracts high school students with an average GPA of around 2.6 (C+). Besides the high acceptance rate, Shaw University’s future freshmen usually graduate in the lower half of their high school class. The following data were also considered when placing Shaw University on our list of worst colleges in America:
- Application fee: $25
- Sticker price: $29,734
- Tuition: $11,808
- Out-of-state-tuition (the same as for the residents of North Carolina): $11,808
- Books and supplies: $1,300
- Other fees: $4,672
- Room and board: $8,514
- Budget for other expenses: $3,440
- Total cost for one year: $28,300
- Graduation rate within 6 years: 14%
- Average annual salary after 10 years: $33,600
- Net price (varies by family income): $17,785 (for the academic year: 2019/2020)
Another downside of Shaw University is the fact that the school doesn’t guarantee financial aid, and the federal grants must be returned with an interest of 2.75%. Also, Shaw University projected 4-year degree price is $118,936 if we assume you graduate in normal time. The assessment assumes a 7% increase on an annual base over the next 4 years.
8. Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University is a public school that offers a semester-based academic program. Set in a city on a 156 acres’ campus size, Fayetteville State University is another college with a high acceptance rate, meaning that it’s one of the less selective educational institutions. Half of the students enrolled at Fayetteville State University have an SAT score from 830 to 1040 or an ACT score from 14 to 19. This and the following data place Fayetteville State University on our list of worst colleges in America:
- Average alumni starting salary: $39,700
- 4-Year graduation rate: 23%
U.S. News statistics on expenses:
- Room and board: $8,615 (for the academic year 2022-23)
- Average federal loan debt after graduation: $22,890
- Average federal loan debt for students who didn’t graduate: $11,093
If you take a closer look at the selectivity policy, high loan debt after graduation, and if you consider students’ complaints about the safety issue at Fayetteville State University, dorms, and the on-campus lazy staff, it’s clear why this college made it to our list and should be avoided.
9. University of the District of Columbia
Situated in Washington, the University of the District of Columbia is a small public institution that offers undergraduate and graduates 4-year programs. Starting with its open admission policy that allows enrollment of any high school graduate or GED-holding student and the following negative data, no wonder this college is considered one of the worst colleges in America:
- Tuition for the residents of the District of Columbia: $5,292
- Books and supplies: $1,280
- Other fees: $860
- Room and board: $17,205
- Budget for other expenses: $0
- Total cost for one year: $24,637
- Tuition for out-of-state residents: $12,144
- Average annual salary after 10 years: $37,100
- Graduation rate within 6 years: 8%
Other facts that don’t help the University of the District of Columbia are that the college is poorly funded, and many students complain about the staff and the professors who don’t bother coming to class.
10. Lindsey Wilson College
Located in Kentucky Lindsey Wilson College is an educational institution affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Make sure you analyze the data about Lindsey Wilson College on College simply to see why we placed it on our list of worst colleges in America:
- Sticker Price: $41,456
- 4-year projected sticker price: $165,824
- Average net price (varies according to family income and financial aid): $14,647
- Tuition: $25,440
- Books and supplies: $1,000
- Other fees: $278
- Room and board: $9,495
- Budget for other expenses: $5,243
Regardless of students’ residence, the annual list price of attendance at Lindsey Wilson College for full-time 1-year students is $41,456, for 2-year students is $42,368, for 3-year students is $43,299 and for 4-year students is $44,251 for the academic year 2020/2021. According to U.S. News, the 4-Year graduation rate at this college is 30%. High attendance prices, students complaining about the poor room conditions (mold) bad food, and faculty members are reasons enough for you not to consider Linsey Wilson College for your future education.
11. Texas College
Texas College is a small 4-year private college situated in Tyler, Texas. Texas college offers undergraduate and graduate programs and has a religious association with the Christian Methodist Episcopal faith. This is another college with an admission policy that allows attendance by any high school graduate or GED-holding student. This fact together with the accompanying data helped us in our decision to add Texas College:
- Tuition: $8,200
- Books and supplies: $2,300
- Other fees: $1,800
- Room and board: $8,400
- Budget for other expenses: $1,500
- Total cost for one year: $22,200
- Average annual salary after 10 years: $27,800
- Graduation rate within 6 years: 6%
The low graduation rate, low salary after graduation, and students complaining about the bad attitude of the financial aid office are the reasons why you should not consider Texas College for your future educational path.
12. University of Alaska Anchorage
The University of Alaska Anchorage was founded in 1954 as a public educational institution in Alaska. Set in urban surroundings it’s known for its semester-based program, high acceptance rate, and low graduation rate. Therefore, we had no other option but to list the University of Alaska Anchorage as one of the worst colleges in America.
Other information you should be aware of:
- Average annual starting salary for alumni of the University of Alaska Anchorage: $55,700
- Acceptance rate: 69%
- Half of the applicants enrolled at the University of Alaska Anchorage have an SAT score from 1020 to 1260 or an ACT score from 17 to 25
- 4-Year graduation rate: 15%
- In-state tuition and fees: $8,418 (for the academic year 2022-23)
- Out-of-state tuition and fees: $25,398 (for the academic year 2022-23)
- Room and board: $12,662 (for the academic year 2022-23)
On top of the attendance annual cost rising and bad academic advisors the University of Alaska Anchorage has lost accreditation for some of its programs, hence the low graduation rate. The only highlight of the University of Alaska Anchorage is the alumni’s annual average starting salary.
13. Yeshivas Novominsk
Yeshivas Novominsk is a 4-year private college situated in Brooklyn, New York, that offers undergraduate programs. Even though it’s in a large city setting the college itself is small and has a student population of 165 students. According to College simply statistics on Yeshiva Novominsk the applicant’s competition is very low due to its extremely low graduation rate as well as other factors. Here’s why Yeshiva Novominsk is considered one of the worst colleges in America:
- Accepted applications: 86,7%
- Application fee: $0
- Tuition: $10,200
- Books and supplies: $200
- Other fees: $100
- Room and board: $3,700
- Other expenses: $3,800
- Total expenses for 1 year: $18,000
- No available data on the average annual salary
- Graduation Rate within 6 years: 4%
The only positive side of Yeshiva Novominsk is its affordability. Still, despite the fact that it’s one of the cheapest ways to obtain a Talmudical Yeshiva education in America, a lot of students transfer to other colleges or don’t graduate at all.
Worst Colleges in America by State
Besides these 13 colleges on our list of worst colleges in America we went a little further in our research to help you avoid disaster and selected the worst colleges in America by state:
| State | College |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Laramie County Community College (low graduation and employment rate) |
| Vermont | Johnson State College (high loan amounts and low graduation rate) |
| Alaska | University of Alaska Anchorage |
| North Dakota | Mayville State University (low graduation rate, high loan debt after graduation) |
| South Dakota | Black Hills State University (expensive, low graduation rate, high loan debt) |
| Delaware | Wesley College (more expensive than other colleges in the state, most students graduate in debt, low graduation rate) |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island College (low starting salary, high loan debt after graduation) |
| Montana | Montana State University Billings (low graduation rate, high loan debt after graduation, low annual salary after graduation) |
| Maine | University of Main at Augusta (low graduation rate, high student loan debt after graduation, low future salary) |
| New Hampshire | New England College (high student loan debt and low salary after graduation) |
| Hawaii | Chaminade University of Honolulu (pricy, high student loan debt) |
| Idaho | Lew-Clark State College (low graduation rate and low salary after graduation) |
| West Virginia | West Virginia State University (low graduation rate and salary, expensive) |
| Nebraska | Peru State College (high students loan debt, students default on their loans) |
| New Mexico | University of the Southwest (low graduation rate, high student loan debt) |
| Kansas | Sterling College (priced way over the market, high loan debt) |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Valley State University (high student loan debt, low salary) |
| Arkansas | Philander Smith College (low graduation rate, student loan debt, low salary) |
| Nevada | Nevada State College (low graduation rate, student loan debt) |
| Iowa | Waldorf University (high student loan debt) |
| Utah | Stevens-Henager College Ogden (low graduation rate, high student loan debt) |
| Connecticut | Mitchel College (overpriced, high student loan debt) |
| Oklahoma | Bacone College (low graduation rate, high tuition) |
| Oregon | Pacific Northwest College of Art (insanely expensive, low salary) |
| Kentucky | Lindsey Wilson College |
| Louisiana | Grambling State University |
| Alabama | Alabama State University (lowest state graduation, low salary) |
| South Carolina | Benedict College (high student loan debt, low salary) |
| North Carolina | Fayetteville State University |
| Minnesota | Crown College (high student loan debt) |
| Colorado | Nazarene Bible College (very expensive, high student loan debt) |
| Maryland | Coppin State University (low graduation rate) |
| Missouri | Harris-Stowe State University (one of the lowest graduation rates in the country) |
| Arizona | Western International University (extremely low graduation rate) |
| Washington | Heritage University (very low graduation rate) |
| Virginia | Virginia Union University (expensive, high student loan debt) |
| New Jersey | Bloomfield College (low salary after graduation) |
| Michigan | Baker College in Flint (low graduation rate and salary) |
| Georgia | The Art Institute of Atlanta (expensive, high student loan debt) |
| Ohio | Central State University (low graduation rate and salary) |
| Illinois | DeVry University |
| Pennsylvania | Strayer University (low graduation and employment rate) |
| New York | College of New Rochelle (low graduation rate, high student loan debt) |
| Florida | Edward Waters College (low graduation rate and salary) |
| Texas | Texas College |
| California | California College San Diego (low graduation rate and salary) |
| Wisconsin | Herzing University- Madison (high acceptance rate, expensive) |
| Tennessee | Le Moyne- Owen College (low graduation rate) |
| Massachusetts | New England Institute of Art (high tuition) |
| Indiana | Indiana University- Northwest (expensive, high student loan debt) |
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