Best colleges in Boston
For the Major Leaguers and Ivy Leaguers
An intellectually and culturally driven city
The Greater Boston area is known for its top ranked universities, but don’t let the prestigious institutions intimidate you. There are options for everyone with 33 technical schools, community colleges, and universities with enough programs to suit everyone’s needs. The 3 major universities alone offer more than 400 programs, some of which are the best in the world.* Bostonians take pride in their education, which is why nearly 45% of the people 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher.* Unfortunately, Boston shares the same unemployment rates as the national average, but they do make nearly $400 more a week than the average American.* And lawyers, managers, software developers, and accountants on average make more than $78,000 a year.*
Home to The Boston Beer Company, (Samuel Adams Boston Lager) Boston was ranked No. 4 by CNN as one of America’s best beer towns. Which means? Operation Find-A-Brewery should be in full effect once your plane lands. And for all the sports lovers, Boston is home to the Celtics, Bruins and the 2013 World Series Champions, the Boston Red Sox. So you’re in for some serious sports entertainment amongst some true diehard fans. Boston is truly the perfect concoction of education, fun, and big city living, so the only thing missing from the mix is you.
Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US*www.cnn.com *Bureau of Labor Statistics *US Census *Forbes, “Boston, MA” *http://www.bu.edu/admissions/about-bu/why-bu/Best Four Year Universities in Boston
Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers 122 degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2023, 3,766 students graduated with students earning 1,936 Master's degrees, 1,146 Bachelor's degrees, and 684 Doctoral degrees.
As the oldest institution of higher education in the United States, Harvard University already makes a good impression when it’s about choosing where to get some more education. So many years of experience and knowledge can’t be wrong! Harvard is devoted to excellence in teaching, learning, and research. Its goal is to push the boundaries of human knowledge – and that’s why it attracts the most talented young adults from our whole planet. The unique and diverse students of Harvard University become leaders in various disciplines and make a difference all around the globe. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of such a unique community?
Wellesley College offers 57 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 589 students graduated with students earning 589 Bachelor's degrees.
Boston University, or BU, is a private institution that was founded in 1839 in downtown Boston, Massachusetts. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of about 35,000 students who attend classes on a campus that runs along Commonwealth Avenue and the Boston metro rail or “The T,” which provides excellent transportation for students, faculty, and visitors. BU is on a semester-based academic calendar, and the university provides ample merit and need-based scholarships.
BU is made up of 15 colleges including the competitive Questrom School of Business and the Henry M Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Students get to choose from a variety of housing options both on and off-campus, with a majority of undergraduates staying in the iconic Warren Towers and the campus brownstones.
BU offers small, intimate classes and boasts a 10:1 student-faculty ratio. BU provides current students with over 70 study abroad options through their many globally-partnered institutions. Beyond academics, BU students can explore historic Boston and stop by Faneuil Hall, picnic in the Boston Common, or visit local rivals Harvard or Boston College. Notable alumni include Bill O’Reilly, actress Julianne Moore, and radio host Howard Stern.
Northeastern University offers 256 degree programs. It's a very large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2023, 9,772 students graduated with students earning 4,654 Master's degrees, 4,492 Bachelor's degrees, 619 Doctoral degrees, and 7 Certificates.
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering offers 3 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 85 students graduated with students earning 85 Bachelor's degrees.
Tufts University offers 255 degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 4,226 students graduated with students earning 1,627 Master's degrees, 1,613 Bachelor's degrees, 782 Doctoral degrees, and 204 Certificates.
Babson College offers 7 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 1,323 students graduated with students earning 702 Bachelor's degrees, 525 Master's degrees, and 96 Certificates.
Brandeis University offers 118 degree programs. It's a medium sized, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a small city. In 2023, 1,771 students graduated with students earning 884 Bachelor's degrees, 810 Master's degrees, and 77 Doctoral degrees.
Boston College, or BC, is a private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of roughly 14,000. Founded in the Jesuit tradition by Benedict Joseph Fenwick, BC has since expanded its initial course offerings from theology to include a wider range of liberal arts degree options. Boston College’s tuition and fees are comparable to local “Beantown” rival Boston University. BC is located at the end of the T Train line in Chestnut Hill, so students have the option of enjoying the collegiate campus life, or choosing to venture into the city for live sports, restaurants, and tourist activities.
The university has a sprawling suburban campus that covers over 350 acres with historic gothic architecture and iconic Gasson Hall. Classes at BU follow a semester-based academic calendar, and the student-faculty ratio is a low 10:1, so average class sizes are typically under 20 students.
Boston College is known for its competitive Carroll School of Management, Woods College of Advancing Studies, and Gabelli Presidential Scholars Program. Beyond academics, BC’s athletic teams compete in the ACC and are represented by their mascot, the Eagle. Their nationally renowned hockey program competes annually in the Bean Pot and the Frozen Four, which are local tournaments against rivals like Boston University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University. Notable alumni include fashion icon Clinton Kelly, actor Chris O’Donnell, and senator Ed Markey.
Best Community Colleges in Boston
Quincy College offers 77 degree programs. It's a small, public, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2023, 276 students graduated with students earning 244 Associate's degrees, 29 Certificates, and 3 Bachelor's degrees.
Bunker Hill Community College offers 109 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2023, 938 students graduated with students earning 938 Associate's degrees.
Massasoit Community College offers 74 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 706 students graduated with students earning 689 Associate's degrees, and 17 Certificates.
Northern Essex Community College offers 89 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 491 students graduated with students earning 400 Associate's degrees, and 91 Certificates.
Middlesex Community College offers 78 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 749 students graduated with students earning 740 Associate's degrees, and 9 Certificates.
North Shore Community College offers 81 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 615 students graduated with students earning 567 Associate's degrees, and 48 Certificates.
Massachusetts Bay Community College offers 82 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 406 students graduated with students earning 374 Associate's degrees, and 32 Certificates.
Roxbury Community College offers 32 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2023, 157 students graduated with students earning 153 Associate's degrees, and 4 Certificates.
Great Bay Community College offers 45 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a small suburb. In 2023, 229 students graduated with students earning 222 Associate's degrees, and 7 Certificates.
FINE Mortuary College offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2023, 20 students graduated with students earning 20 Associate's degrees.
Top schools offering specific degrees in Boston
List of all colleges in Boston
| School | Average Tuition | Student Teacher Ratio | Enrolled Students | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA | 9 : 1 | 11,920 | |
|
Harvard University Cambridge, MA | 17 : 1 | 30,386 | |
|
Wellesley College Wellesley, MA | 7 : 1 | 2,418 | |
|
Boston University Boston, MA | 19 : 1 | 36,624 | |
|
Northeastern University Boston, MA | 18 : 1 | 31,159 | |