On June 26, 2026, Massachusetts became one of the first states to formally approve three-year bachelor's degree pilot programs. Merrimack College and Suffolk University received state clearance to launch what the board is calling "applied bachelor's degrees" — 94 to 96 credits instead of the traditional 120 — starting in fall 2027. Students who complete these programs save one full year of tuition and living costs.

For families trying to figure out how to make college more affordable, a development out of Massachusetts last week is worth knowing about.

The Massachusetts Board of Higher Education approved pilot programs at two schools that will let students earn a bachelor's degree in three years instead of four. It's the first time a Massachusetts state board has formally cleared this format, and it signals that state-level approval — not just individual college experiments — is now on the table.1

What Was Actually Approved

The board approved applications from two schools:2

Merrimack College, located in North Andover, received clearance for 96-credit applied bachelor's degrees in four areas: business administration, communications, criminal justice, and psychology.

Suffolk University in Boston received approval for a 94-credit program in healthcare administration.

Both programs are expected to begin accepting students for fall 2027. That means high school students starting their search now will be among the first eligible applicants.

One detail worth noting: the state is requiring these programs to be called "applied bachelor's degrees," not just "bachelor's degrees." The naming distinction matters — more on that below.

Why the Cost Savings Are Real

A traditional bachelor's degree typically runs 120 credits, spread over eight semesters. Trimming that to 94 or 96 credits cuts roughly one full academic year from the cost. At Merrimack's current tuition of about $48,000 per year, that's nearly $48,000 in tuition alone — before you factor in room, board, and a year of living expenses.

How much college actually costs depends on the school and financial aid picture. But the math on three-year programs consistently points in the same direction: finishing a year early is one of the most direct ways to cut the total bill.

The savings from a three-year degree are not just tuition. You also enter the workforce — and start earning — a full year sooner. At an entry-level salary of $45,000, that's $45,000 in additional income compared to a peer who took four years.

For families already thinking through how to cover college costs at private schools, a three-year track removes one of the biggest line items from the budget.

What "Applied Bachelor's Degree" Means

The naming requirement deserves attention. Massachusetts's board mandated that these pilot programs be branded as "applied bachelor's degrees" specifically to distinguish them from traditional four-year degrees.

This is a precautionary step, not a sign that the credentials are lesser. The idea is to be transparent with students, employers, and graduate schools that the format is different — not that the academic rigor is reduced.

Before committing to a three-year program, ask the specific school how employers in your intended field have responded to the "applied bachelor's degree" label, and whether it qualifies for graduate school admission at schools you're considering. The branding is new and varies by industry.

The National Context

Massachusetts is joining a trend that has been building for a few years. Our earlier look at whether three-year degrees are worth it found that dozens of schools across the country already offer these programs through a national coalition — and early data on employer perception has been largely positive at accredited institutions.

What's different here is the state regulatory approval. This isn't one college quietly offering a compressed path. It's a formal pilot program with state oversight, designed to be evaluated and potentially expanded across Massachusetts's public and private institutions.

What Students and Families Should Do Now

These programs won't enroll their first students until fall 2027, which means high school sophomores and juniors are the primary audience for now. But if you're already planning for college, a few things are worth doing before you start building your list:

  1. Add Merrimack and Suffolk to your research list. Even if you weren't considering them before, these programs are worth evaluating if you're looking for a more affordable path at a regionally accredited school.

  2. Use the time to check the other 5 fields. The board's approval here may prompt other Massachusetts schools to apply — watch for additional announcements in 2026 and early 2027.

  3. Ask financial aid offices directly. When you're comparing financial aid offers, ask whether the school offers any three-year completion incentives beyond the tuition discount itself.

  4. Factor in the hidden costs, too. Our guide to hidden college expenses is a useful starting point for understanding what you'd actually save cutting a year.

If you're still in the early planning phase, the college planning checklist and timeline is a good place to organize what to tackle first as new program options like these continue to emerge.

What This Doesn't Change

Most students currently enrolled in college, or starting in fall 2026, are not affected by this announcement — these programs don't launch until 2027. And students at schools outside Massachusetts will not see any direct impact.

This is a pilot, not a systemic overhaul. Whether Massachusetts expands it will depend on how the Merrimack and Suffolk programs perform. But the approval itself signals that state boards are willing to sign off on compressed formats — which is a structural shift from where things stood even two years ago.3

Footnotes

  1. WBUR News. (2026, June 26). For the first time Mass. colleges will offer three-year degrees. WBUR News. https://www.wbur.org/news/2026/06/26/degree-mass-colleges-bachelor-offer-three-year-university ↩

  2. Massachusetts Board of Higher Education. (2026, June 26). Massachusetts Approves First Three-Year Bachelor's Degree Pilot Programs, Adding to Affordable College Options. Mass.gov. https://www.mass.gov/news/massachusetts-approves-first-three-year-bachelors-degree-pilot-programs-adding-to-affordable-college-options ↩

  3. Boston Globe. (2026, June 26). 'We won't know if we don't try': State approves three-year degree programs at Merrimack College and Suffolk University. Boston Globe. https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/26/metro/merrimack-suffolk-three-year-degree/ ↩