Best Colleges in Massachusetts 2026

Badge for BEST IN MASSACHUSETTS COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES

Here are the best colleges and universities in Massachusetts based on the academic achievements of faculty and alumni associated with the schools. The best colleges in Massachusetts have rich histories of hiring stellar faculty and producing influential alumni.

Key Takeaways

  • Massachusetts is home to world-renowned institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Amherst College, offering cutting-edge research opportunities, interdisciplinary programs, and access to leading faculty across diverse fields. These schools emphasize both academic rigor and hands-on learning experiences.
  • Colleges in Massachusetts are part of a vibrant academic ecosystem, with strong alumni networks and connections to industries like technology, healthcare, and finance. The proximity to Boston—a hub for innovation—provides students with numerous internship and career opportunities.
  • With a strong emphasis on student life, Massachusetts colleges offer a rich blend of extracurricular activities, from student-run clubs to athletics and cultural organizations. These opportunities allow students to engage with peers, develop leadership skills, and explore their interests outside the classroom.

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

We’ve identified a total of 57 colleges and universities in Massachusetts that meet our criteria. This list of the top 25 colleges in Massachusetts below focuses on schools that offer bachelor’s degrees. The ranking features fully accredited public and private colleges and universities in Massachusetts. For those who are interested in an associate’s degree, check out our ranking of top online associate’s in Massachusetts.

Best Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts

  1. #1

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Harvard University

    Cost of Degree: $59,076
    Expenses: $27,629
    Starting Salary: $121,957
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Tuition + fees

    $65K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1550/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $60,156
    Expenses: $22,574
    Starting Salary: $152,553
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Boston University

    Boston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $71K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    45K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1475/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Boston University

    Cost of Degree: $65,168
    Expenses: $21,195
    Starting Salary: $89,087
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Boston University’s Online Degrees

    BS in Undergrad Completion Program
    • Required Credits: 64
    • Format: Fully online
  4. #4

    Tufts University

    Medford , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1515/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Tufts University

    Cost of Degree: $67,844
    Expenses: $20,456
    Starting Salary: $89,187
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #5

    Brandeis University

    Waltham , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $71K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Brandeis University

    Cost of Degree: $64,946
    Expenses: $21,296
    Starting Salary: $85,519
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #6

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Amherst College

    Cost of Degree: $67,280
    Expenses: $20,360
    Starting Salary: $95,161
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    81%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1405/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Amherst

    Cost of Degree: $17,357
    Expenses: $17,309
    Starting Salary: $80,486
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Online Degrees

    BA in Film And Media Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Bachelor Of Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Hospitality And Tourism Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Arts Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: 1 year
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Bachelor Of Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Sustainable Food And Farming
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Format: Fully online
  8. #8

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $67K

    Acceptance

    21%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1480/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Smith College

    Cost of Degree: $61,568
    Expenses: $24,462
    Starting Salary: $69,936
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. #9

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $73K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1530/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Williams College

    Cost of Degree: $64,860
    Expenses: $20,000
    Starting Salary: $95,954
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #10

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $74K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Boston College

    Cost of Degree: $67,680
    Expenses: $21,925
    Starting Salary: $112,178
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. #11

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $70K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1510/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Wellesley College

    Cost of Degree: $64,320
    Expenses: $21,970
    Starting Salary: $90,458
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  12. Tuition + fees

    $69K

    Acceptance

    5%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    42K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1490/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Northeastern University

    Cost of Degree: $63,141
    Expenses: $21,590
    Starting Salary: $99,371
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #13

    Clark University

    Worcester , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    40%

    Graduation

    77%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1374/31

    Career Outlook for degree at Clark University

    Cost of Degree: $55,160
    Expenses: $13,540
    Starting Salary: $67,223
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #14

    Mount Holyoke College

    South Hadley , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $68K

    Acceptance

    36%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1455/33

    Career Outlook for degree at Mount Holyoke College

    Cost of Degree: $64,142
    Expenses: $20,838
    Starting Salary: $66,117
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  15. #15

    College of the Holy Cross

    Worcester , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $68K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    86%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1325/29

    Career Outlook for degree at College of the Holy Cross

    Cost of Degree: $60,850
    Expenses: $19,650
    Starting Salary: $100,485
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  16. #16

    Hampshire College

    Amherst , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    75%

    Graduation

    58%

    Student body

    <1K

    Career Outlook for degree at Hampshire College

    Cost of Degree: $56,630
    Expenses: $17,644
    Starting Salary: $47,422
    Cost Recoup Time: 21 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  17. Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    18K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1180/25

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Boston

    Cost of Degree: $15,495
    Expenses: $21,578
    Starting Salary: $70,597
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  18. Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    8K

    Career Outlook for degree at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

    Cost of Degree: $58,870
    Expenses: $20,472
    Starting Salary: $113,513
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  19. #19

    Suffolk University

    Boston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $50K

    Acceptance

    82%

    Graduation

    59%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1195/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Suffolk University

    Cost of Degree: $45,380
    Expenses: $22,860
    Starting Salary: $75,345
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  20. #20

    Emerson College

    Boston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    51%

    Graduation

    80%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1345/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Emerson College

    Cost of Degree: $54,816
    Expenses: $25,220
    Starting Salary: $67,317
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  21. Tuition + fees

    $18K

    Acceptance

    83%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    20K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1275/28

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Cost of Degree: $16,570
    Expenses: $17,994
    Starting Salary: $77,989
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Information Technology Second Degree
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Information Technology: Business Minor
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in English Literature And Criticism
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BLA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
  22. Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    49%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1160/28

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    Cost of Degree: $15,208
    Expenses: $21,112
    Starting Salary: $68,878
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is University of Massachusetts Dartmouth known for?

    University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s Online Degrees

    BS in Accounting
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in General Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Management-Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Operations Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Management Information Systems
    Degree Concentrations
    • E-Commerce/Digital Business
    • Technology & Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in English Literature And Criticism
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Sociology And Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BA in Women'S And Gender Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Healthcare Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Medical Laboratory Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
    • Format: Fully online
    BS in Second Degree Accelerated Bs In Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: 4 years
  23. #23

    Bentley University

    Waltham , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    45%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1355/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Bentley University

    Cost of Degree: $58,150
    Expenses: $21,810
    Starting Salary: $126,427
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Bentley University known for?

    Bentley University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  24. #24

    Stonehill College

    Easton , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    3K

    Career Outlook for degree at Stonehill College

    Cost of Degree: $53,400
    Expenses: $19,505
    Starting Salary: $84,633
    Cost Recoup Time: 15 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  25. Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    91%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1215/29

    Career Outlook for degree at Wentworth Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $41,010
    Expenses: $22,170
    Starting Salary: $94,995
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Wentworth Institute of Technology known for?

    Wentworth Institute of Technology’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

Back to Top

Find the Best Schools in Massachusetts for Area of Interest

2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2024 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2023. That’s because we took a fundamentally different approach. For 2024 we utilized our Concentrated Influence algorithm, designed to take away the size advantage larger schools have when we rank their faculty and alumni’s academic influence. Concentrated influence highlights smaller schools that are proportionally as successful as larger universities at cultivating influential alumni and faculty.

  1. Harvard University
  2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  3. Amherst College
  4. Brandeis University
  5. Hampshire College
  6. Tufts University
  7. Wellesley College
  8. Williams College
  9. Smith College
  10. Mount Holyoke College
  11. Boston University
  12. Clark University
  13. Emerson College
  14. Boston College
  15. College of the Holy Cross
  16. University of Massachusetts Amherst
  17. Northeastern University
  18. Simmons University
  19. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  20. Stonehill College
  21. Wheaton College
  22. Bentley University
  23. Gordon College
  24. Springfield College
  25. Western New England University
Do you have a question about this topic? Ask it here