<p>Massachusetts is not alone in having mediocre public higher ed. It is a New England wide phenomenon - who ever hears about U. Maine? U. Rhode Island? </p>
<p>As others have suggested, the problem is both historical and political:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>few states outside New England would appoint a former political hack whose brother is on the lam as president of their flagship university - Bolger. </p></li>
<li><p>historically, all through New England, private universities and LACs provided higher ed, and quite affordably at that. It was, after all, only a few decades ago when a small minority of our population went to college. And their needs were served well by the private colleges. The cost was reasonable, especially with scholarship aide to poorer kids (i.e. most of our grandparents…).</p></li>
<li><p>Before blasting U. Mass, ask yourselves why U. Mich, or UVA or UNC are so good? Because there was not the same private college tradition in those states. The Morrill act also helped a number of state universities around the country (but not U. Mich!) which became our land grant institutions.</p></li>
</ul>