Admissions Requirements for Massachusetts State Colleges
The courses required for admission to state colleges or universities are outlined in the table below:
 
English 4 courses  
Math 3 courses (including Algebra I, Algebra II, and geometry and trigonometry)
Science 3 courses (including 2 lab courses)
Social studies 2 courses (including 1 US social studies course)
Foreign language 2 courses (in the same language)
Electives 2 courses (in the subjects listed, the arts and humanities, or computer science)
 
These courses must be at least at the college preparation level. The average grade required for admission to state colleges will be roughly a B- and the average grade required for admission to the state universities will be roughly a B. If your grades are lower than required, you may be able to make up for them by earning high scores on the SAT or ACT tests. Students who do not meet these requirements still should apply, since the schools may admit some students based on factors in addition to those outlined here.

Return to Guidance Articles page