Best Grad Schools in Massachusetts 2025

Badge for BEST IN MASSACHUSETTS GRADUATE SCHOOLS

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or last ground for the 2025 school year.

The top 3 positions in our 2025 ranking of the best grad schools in Massachusetts remain unchanged. Brandeis University moved up 1 position to number 4, and Smith College moved up to number 7.

Key Takeaways

  • Many of the best grad schools in Massachusetts are private institutions known worldwide for their academic excellence and research innovations, with Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology leading the pack.
  • Tuition for these graduate schools are among the highest in the country, but their alumni agree that the cost of graduate education is well worth it.
  • Prospective graduate students in Massachusetts should look into the financial aid options offered by the graduate schools they’re planning on applying for admission.

Massachusetts: The Ivy League Grad School Hub

Graduate school refers to higher education consisting of advanced programs of study with particular focus on a profession or a discipline. As such, graduate education can fall into one of three major categories, namely:

  • Academic, meaning the program of study centers on the generation of original research studies in specific disciplines;
  • Professional, meaning students develop their advanced knowledge and skills in specific professions or disciplines; and
  • Academic and professional, meaning the program of study balances between academic research and professional development

For example, Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education has a more professional approach, but many of its graduate schools also have an academic research-centered philosophy. Graduate students at MIT are encouraged to contribute to new knowledge in STEM fields like engineering and computer science.

Levels of Education in Massachusetts Graduate Schools

Like all institutions of higher education, the best grad schools in Massachusetts offer students three levels of graduate education.

  • Specialist degrees. These are typically post-master’s degrees that require students to take on additional coursework, professional training, and/or internship/externship experiences. While specialist degrees differ in their desired results, these graduate degrees prepare students for licensing or certification. Examples include Specialist in Education (Ed.S), Specialist in Community College Teaching (SCCT), and Specialist in School Psychology (SSP).
  • Master’s degrees. These are post-bachelor’s degrees in a wide range of disciplines, from business administration and social sciences to STEM fields. While time-to-completion varies between graduate programs, the average is 2-3 years for full-time students. Master’s degree designations include Master of Science (MS), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Business Administration (MBA).
  • Doctoral degrees. These are terminal degrees intended to create new knowledge and/or contribute to applied research through independent research projects (i.e., dissertations). The average time-to-completion is 5-7 years with doctorate degree holders considered as reliable experts in their fields. Examples include Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Education (Ed.D).

The best grad schools in Massachusetts are among the most selective schools in the United States, too. Prospective students must meet stringent admission requirements including above-average academic performance and potential, GRE/GMAT scores, and potential for research contributions.

  • Students in these graduate schools must also be prepared for these common characteristics:
  • Focused program of study with emphasis on research methodologies and dissertation courses
  • Fewer elective course options
  • Rigorous coursework and evaluations
  • Smaller class sizes with emphasis on peer-to-peer and student-to-professor collaborations
  • Independent research resulting in original work
  • Work experience via graduate or teaching assistantships and/or internships

Suffice it to say that graduate school isn’t for the faint of heart! Adult students with high levels of motivation are more likely to succeed in graduate schools.

Tackling the Cost of Education in Massachusetts Graduate Schools

Graduate education can be expensive, sometimes prohibitively so in private institutions. Fortunately, graduate students have several financial aid options available in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

  • The Graduate Tuition Waiver provides incentives to students enrolled in graduate programs at public colleges and universities in Massachusetts. The University of Massachusetts, the only public research university system of its kind in the state, offers the tuition assistance program.
  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a popular financial aid option for graduate students regardless of their current financial status. Available federal financial aid options include direct unsubsidized loans, direct PLUS loans, TEACH grants, Pell grants, and the federal work-study scheme.
  • Institutional and external scholarships are also available to graduate students in Massachusetts graduate schools. Examples include the Fulbright Program, Rhodes Scholarship, and Marshall Scholarship.
  • The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA) loans are also a viable option. But remember that MEFA is a private lender despite its status as a state lending authority, thus, different rules and regulations apply.

Earning a graduate degree from the best grad schools in Massachusetts is well worth the cost—and financial aid definitely helps! Massachusetts also offers some cheap graduate schools if affordability is the most important variable to a student.

There are 23 doctorate-granting graduate schools in Massachusetts. Our ranking of the best graduate schools in the Massachusetts is composed of both private and public schools. To be included, schools must be fully accredited non-profit institutions, and must offer doctoral degrees and a broad array of graduate degrees.

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Best Grad Schools in Massachusetts

  1. #1

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    3%

    Graduation

    98%

    Student body

    39K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1535/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Harvard University

    Cost of Degree: $59,076
    Expenses: $27,629
    Starting Salary: $139,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  2. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    95%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1555/35

    Career Outlook for degree at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cost of Degree: $60,156
    Expenses: $22,574
    Starting Salary: $153,600
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  3. #3

    Boston University

    Boston , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1425/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Boston University

    Cost of Degree: $65,168
    Expenses: $21,195
    Starting Salary: $75,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  4. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    64%

    Graduation

    83%

    Student body

    37K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1370/31

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Amherst

    Cost of Degree: $17,357
    Expenses: $17,309
    Starting Salary: $57,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  5. #7

    Smith College

    Northampton , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $59K

    Acceptance

    23%

    Graduation

    89%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1445/32

    Career Outlook for degree at Smith College

    Cost of Degree: $61,568
    Expenses: $24,462
    Starting Salary: $51,100
    Cost Recoup Time: 22 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  6. #8

    Boston College

    Chestnut Hill , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $64K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    17K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1487/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Boston College

    Cost of Degree: $67,680
    Expenses: $21,925
    Starting Salary: $92,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 16 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    38K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/34

    Career Outlook for degree at Northeastern University

    Cost of Degree: $63,141
    Expenses: $21,590
    Starting Salary: $74,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  8. #10

    Clark University

    Worcester , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $52K

    Acceptance

    50%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Clark University

    Cost of Degree: $55,160
    Expenses: $13,540
    Starting Salary: $54,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  9. Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    81%

    Graduation

    51%

    Student body

    19K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1190/26

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Boston

    Cost of Degree: $15,495
    Expenses: $21,578
    Starting Salary: $53,700
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  10. #13

    Suffolk University

    Boston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    7K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1190/27

    Career Outlook for degree at Suffolk University

    Cost of Degree: $45,380
    Expenses: $22,860
    Starting Salary: $59,900
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  11. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $15K

    Acceptance

    96%

    Graduation

    55%

    Student body

    9K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1140/26

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    Cost of Degree: $15,208
    Expenses: $21,112
    Starting Salary: $51,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 13 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

  12. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    22K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1259/28

    Career Outlook for degree at University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Cost of Degree: $16,570
    Expenses: $17,994
    Starting Salary: $57,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  13. #16

    Springfield College

    Springfield , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $42K

    Acceptance

    76%

    Graduation

    73%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1200/28

    Career Outlook for degree at Springfield College

    Cost of Degree: $43,707
    Expenses: $17,852
    Starting Salary: $48,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
  14. #17

    Bentley University

    Waltham , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    58%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1339/30

    Career Outlook for degree at Bentley University

    Cost of Degree: $58,150
    Expenses: $21,810
    Starting Salary: $95,400
    Cost Recoup Time: 14 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

  15. #19

    Lesley University

    Cambridge , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $31K

    Acceptance

    86%

    Graduation

    61%

    Student body

    5K

    Career Outlook for degree at Lesley University

    Cost of Degree: $32,780
    Expenses: $22,800
    Starting Salary: $40,500
    Cost Recoup Time: 19 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Lesley University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  16. Tuition + fees

    $45K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    67%

    Student body

    4K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1185/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Western New England University

    Cost of Degree: $46,430
    Expenses: $17,960
    Starting Salary: $61,300
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Western New England University known for?

    Western New England University’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  17. #22

    Endicott College

    Beverly , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $38K

    Acceptance

    73%

    Graduation

    78%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1205/26

    Career Outlook for degree at Endicott College

    Cost of Degree: $39,212
    Expenses: $20,676
    Starting Salary: $56,200
    Cost Recoup Time: 17 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is Endicott College known for?

    Endicott College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

  18. Tuition + fees

    $41K

    Acceptance

    89%

    Graduation

    37%

    Student body

    2K

    Career Outlook for degree at American International College

    Cost of Degree: $42,970
    Expenses: $19,330
    Starting Salary: $50,000
    Cost Recoup Time: 18 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    What is American International College known for?

    American International College’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

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Massachusetts’s Best Grad School for Your Interest!

Resources for Prospective Grad Students

Whether you’re just getting started on your college search, you’re looking for survival tips on your way to a bachelor’s degree, or you’re preparing for the transition into grad school, we’ve got guides, how to’s and tons of other valuable resources to keep you moving forward in your educational journey.

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