Saving bucks while going private and catholic in Massachusetts

I'm looking at private Catholic colleges in Massachusetts and I'm a bit worried about the sticker shock. Finding an affordable education while also wanting it to be Catholic has been tough. Does anyone have any guidance about the least expensive private Catholic colleges in Massachusetts?

Definitely understand the concern about the costs of private colleges. Not only are the sticker prices often quite high, but in many cases, the net price can be as well. However, some Catholic colleges in Massachusetts do make a concerted effort to offer significant financial aid packages that can bring costs down to a reasonable level.

Assumption University in Worcester, MA is one worth looking into. It's a bit smaller but it offers a solid liberal arts and sciences curriculum and has a strong Catholic identity. Plus, it's known to offer quite a bit of need-based and merit-based aid, which can help to offset the cost. The university claims that 99% of its students receive some form of financial aid.

Emmanuel College in Boston, MA has also made strides in affordability. While it has a higher sticker price, they also provide a substantial amount of need and merit-based aid to their students which can bring costs down significantly.

Another one to consider is Stonehill College, also in Easton, MA. About 98% of their students receive financial aid, making it quite possible for students to attend without bearing the full sticker price.

You might also want to look at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA. They offer a good amount of both need-based and merit-based aid. While the sticker price might seem steep, they try their best to make education accessible and affordable for all students.

Remember that while these colleges have slightly lower sticker prices, that doesn't necessarily mean they're more affordable. Many families find that after scholarships and grants are considered, more expensive colleges can end up being a better deal. So don't forget to use each college's Net Price Calculator to get an estimate of what you might pay.

Finally, finding alternative sources of scholarships based on your personal, academic, or extracurricular achievements can be a great way to offset costs. Applying through FAFSA for federal aid is also a must.