Best Research Universities in Massachusetts 2023

Best Research Universities in Massachusetts 2023
By James Barham
Published:
Updated:

Interested in attending a STEM school in Massachusetts? Our ranking of top research universities for bachelor’s degrees displays schools that will best prepare you for STEM careers.

10 Best Research Universities in Massachusetts

  1. Harvard University
  2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  3. Boston University
  4. Tufts University
  5. Brandeis University
  6. University of Massachusetts Amherst
  7. Boston College
  8. Northeastern University
  9. Clark University
  10. Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Colleges and Universities in Massachusetts

Some of the most talked about universities in Massachusetts are its private schools, including Boston University, Harvard University, Northeastern University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also happen to be the largest. Tuition for these prestigious schools runs between $50,000 and $54,000. Students here have access to some of the top programs in the country in fields such as biology, literature, law, education, engineering, and religious studies. The alumni from New England schools are equally as impressive, including Martin Luther King Jr., Bill Gates, and Ralph Waldo Emerson.

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The public higher education institutes also boast top-notch programs, allowing students to pursue associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in fields like mathematics, social work, medicine, and economics. The University of Massachusetts Amherst, the state’s largest public university, offers tuition around $16,000 and serves over 28,000 students. Additionally, students who are interested in attending a religiously affiliated school have 17 options to choose from, most of which feature high graduation rates for their students. For future dental, medical, or mental health professionals, Massachusetts also offers loan forgiveness programs for those working in underserved communities.

As the port of destination for the Mayflower, home to the Plymouth colony, and site of the Salem Witch Trials, Massachusetts looms large in United States history, but this most populous New England state isn’t just for history buffs. The Bay State is also known for its delicious cuisine, beautiful coastlines, and devout sports fans. Not to mention, it has over 100 colleges for students to choose from.

Find a program that’s right for you and explore the best schools Massachusetts has to offer.


What are Massachusetts’ Colleges & Universities?

Massachusetts’ Best Overall

Related: Differences between research universities and teaching colleges

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A research university is a great option for students interested in obtaining STEM degrees. Research universities invest heavily in research, which consequently provides meaningful and extensive opportunities for its students and faculty to participate in research. We’ve identified 16 research universities in Massachusetts. To be included in our ranking, schools must be a fully accredited universities and must must offer doctoral degrees across the range of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

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Best Research Universities in Massachusetts 2022

  1. #1

    Harvard University

    Cambridge , MA
    #1 Best Universities in the World 2023 #1 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #1 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023 #1 50 Best Graduate Schools Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    97%

    Student body

    24K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1520/34

    What is Harvard University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  2. #2

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Cambridge , MA
    #3 50 Best Research Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #3 50 Best Colleges and Universities Ranked for Undergrads in 2023 #3 50 Best Private Grad Schools 2023 #3 Best Universities in the US Ranked for Prospective Students in 2023
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    4%

    Graduation

    96%

    Student body

    13K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1545/35

    What is Massachusetts Institute of Technology known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  7. #6

    University of Massachusetts Amherst

    Amherst , MA
    #1 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2023 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2023 #6 Best Colleges in Massachusetts 2023 #6 Best Grad Schools in Massachusetts 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    66%

    Graduation

    84%

    Student body

    30K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1295/29

    What is University of Massachusetts Amherst known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Online Degrees

    BA in Film And Media Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Bachelor Of Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BBA in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Hospitality And Tourism Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Arts Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA/BS in Interdisciplinary Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSN in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 60
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing: RN to BSN
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Bachelor Of Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  11. #10

    Worcester Polytechnic Institute

    Worcester , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    60%

    Graduation

    87%

    Student body

    7K

    What is Worcester Polytechnic Institute known for?

    Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s faculty and alumni have been influential in:

    Most Influential Alumni

  14. #12

    University of Massachusetts Lowell

    Lowell , MA
    #3 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2023 #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $16K

    Acceptance

    85%

    Graduation

    69%

    Student body

    15K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1230/26

    What is University of Massachusetts Lowell known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    University of Massachusetts Lowell’s Online Degrees

    BS in Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 122
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology Second Degree
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Information Technology: Business Minor
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English Literature And Criticism
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BLA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  15. #13

    University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

    North Dartmouth , MA
    #4 Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts 2023 #4 Most Affordable Colleges in Massachusetts Ranked for Students in 2023

    Tuition + fees

    $14K

    Acceptance

    92%

    Graduation

    54%

    Student body

    6K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1090/23

    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: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Economics
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Finance
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in General Business Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management-Leadership
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Marketing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Operations Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Management Information Systems
    Degree Concentrations
    • E-Commerce/Digital Business
    • Technology & Management
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Criminal Justice
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in English Literature And Criticism
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in History
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Liberal Arts
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Political Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Public Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Sociology And Anthropology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Women'S And Gender Studies
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Healthcare Services Administration
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Medical Laboratory Science
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Nursing
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  16. #14

    Western New England University

    Springfield , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $40K

    Acceptance

    90%

    Graduation

    63%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Western New England University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

  17. #15

    Lesley University

    Cambridge , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $30K

    Acceptance

    87%

    Graduation

    60%

    Student body

    3K

    What is Lesley University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Lesley University’s Online Degrees

    BA in Liberal Studies
    Degree Concentrations
    • Business Management
    • Marketing Or Nonprofit Management
    • Human Services
    • Marketing Or Nonprofit Management
    • Human Services
    • Development Psychology
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in User Experience
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Human Services
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Interdisciplinary Humanities
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
  19. #16

    Simmons University

    Boston , MA

    Tuition + fees

    $43K

    Acceptance

    84%

    Graduation

    71%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1155/26

    What is Simmons University known for?

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

    Most Influential Alumni

    Simmons University’s Online Degrees

    BSBA in Business And Management
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BS in Computer Science
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BA in Communications
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
    BSW in Social Work
    • Required Credits: 128
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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Find the Best Research Universities in Massachusetts for Your Area of Interest

Anthropology Biology Business Chemistry Commun­ications Computer Science Criminal Justice Earth Sciences Economics Education Engineering History Law Literature Mathematics Medical Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Psychology Religious Studies Social Work Sociology
2021 Ranking Archive

Many of our 2022 undergraduate focused rankings look considerably different than 2021. That’s because we took a fundamentally different apporach. For 2021 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. Brandeis University
  4. Tufts University
  5. Boston University
  6. Clark University
  7. Boston College
  8. University of Massachusetts Amherst
  9. Northeastern University
  10. Simmons University
  11. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
  12. Lesley University
  13. University of Massachusetts Lowell
  14. Western New England University

Check out our directory of research universities throughout the U.S. for a look at the top research institutions in every state.

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