This state report card is derived from "Measuring Up 2004," the national report card for higher education. Its purpose is to provide the public and policymakers with information to assess and improve postsecondary education in each state. "Measuring Up 2004" is the third in a series of biennial report cards. The report card grades states in six overall performance categories: (1) Preparation: How adequately are students in each state being prepared for education and training beyond high school?; (2) Participation: Do state residents have sufficient opportunities to enroll in education and training beyond high school?; (3) Affordability: How affordable is higher education for students and their families?; (4) Completion: Do students make progress toward and complete their certificates and degrees in a timely manner?; (5) Benefits: What benefits does the state receive as a result of having a highly educated population?; and (6) Learning: What is known about student learning as a result of education and training beyond high school? Findings for Massachusetts include: (1) Over the past decade, Massachusetts has improved on its already excellent performance in preparing students to succeed in college. This year Massachusetts receives an A in preparation; (2) Over the past decade, Massachusetts has consistently excelled in the number of students enrolling in higher education. This year Massachusetts receives an A in participation; (3) Over the past decade, Massachusetts has made no notable progress in the affordability of higher education. This year Massachusetts is one of many states to receive an F in affordability; (4) In Massachusetts, over the past decade, a high proportion of students earned their certificates or degrees in a timely manner. This year that positive performance continues, and Massachusetts receives an A in completion; (5) Massachusetts, over the past decade, has seen a consistent increase in the benefits accruing to the state from having a more highly educated population. Massachusetts receives an A in benefits this year; and (6) Like most states, Massachusetts received an Incomplete in learning because there are no comparable data that would allow for meaningful state-by-state comparisons in learning. This report also includes additional information, questions and answers, state grades, and "Measuring Up 2004" resources. [For "Measuring Up 2004: The National Report Card on Higher Education," see ED508096.]