Best colleges in Massachusetts

Join the Masses

Make history in one of the nation’s oldest state

With some of the oldest cities and universities in the nation, Massachusetts has a long-standing reputation of world-class education: 114 colleges and universities, including public, private, land-grant, medical, and law schools.* The Bay State has major metro centers in Boston, Worcester, Springfield and more. Despite being the 7th smallest state in the U.S., Massachusetts still has an unemployment rate of 5.8%, less than the national average, and an average weekly wage of $1,131, much higher than the national average.* Popular industries around The Old Colony State include higher education, finance, biotechnology, healthcare, technology and tourism. Recent job growth supports an increase in jobs by 1.2%, and 13 Fortune 500 companies consider Massachusetts home.*

The Bay State is rolling in geographic and topographic features. Mountains, river valleys, sandy beaches, and rocky shorelines offer gorgeous views, scenic vacation spots, and outdoor fun for sport and nature lovers. For all the history buffs, visit Battleship Cove, the Boston Tea Party Ship & Museum, or Old Sturbridge Village. Or show your American spirit when Boston puts on one of the best 4th of July fireworks shows in the country. Enjoy your weekends with Café Fleuri’s chocolate bar buffet, or sip that Boston tea at Twig’s Café in Boylston. Whatever you do, just don’t forget to join the masses who call Massachusetts home.

Click Here to See the Best Colleges in the US*Bureau of Labor Statistics *classifications.carnegiefoundation.org *www.bestplaces.net/economy/state/Massachusetts *www.fortune.com *www.visit-massachusetts.com

Best Four Year Universities in Massachusetts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers 117 degree programs. It's a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a midsize city. In 2022, 3,733 students graduated with students earning 1,898 Master's degrees, 1,100 Bachelor's degrees, and 735 Doctoral degrees.

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

 

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?

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Amherst College
Amherst, MA

Amherst College offers 39 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 505 students graduated with students earning 505 Bachelor's degrees.

Williams College
Williamstown, MA

Williams College offers 40 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a outlying town. In 2022, 550 students graduated with students earning 513 Bachelor's degrees, and 37 Master's degrees.

Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College offers 57 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 563 students graduated with students earning 563 Bachelor's degrees.

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 2022, 72 students graduated with students earning 72 Bachelor's degrees.

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College offers 61 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 752 students graduated with students earning 596 Bachelor's degrees, 128 Master's degrees, 18 Certificates, and 10 Doctoral degrees.

Boston University
Boston, MA

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.

Babson College
Wellesley, MA

Babson College offers 7 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 1,115 students graduated with students earning 564 Bachelor's degrees, 480 Master's degrees, and 71 Certificates.

Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College offers 52 degree programs. It's a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large suburb. In 2022, 637 students graduated with students earning 577 Bachelor's degrees, and 60 Master's degrees.

Best Community Colleges in Massachusetts

Lawrence Memorial Hospital School of Nursing offers 2 degree programs. It's a very small, private not-for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 115 students graduated with students earning 115 Associate's degrees.

Greenfield Community College offers 46 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a faraway town. In 2022, 199 students graduated with students earning 167 Associate's degrees, and 32 Certificates.

Springfield Technical Community College offers 96 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2022, 724 students graduated with students earning 718 Associate's degrees, and 6 Certificates.

Holyoke Community College offers 70 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 560 students graduated with students earning 553 Associate's degrees, and 7 Certificates.

FINE Mortuary College
Norwood, MA

FINE Mortuary College offers 1 degree programs. It's a very small, private for-profit, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 29 students graduated with students earning 29 Associate's degrees.

Bunker Hill Community College offers 107 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a large city. In 2022, 1,122 students graduated with students earning 1,122 Associate's degrees.

Mount Wachusett Community College offers 71 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area. In 2022, 553 students graduated with students earning 536 Associate's degrees, and 17 Certificates.

North Shore Community College offers 81 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a large suburb. In 2022, 779 students graduated with students earning 729 Associate's degrees, and 50 Certificates.

Berkshire Community College offers 34 degree programs. It's a small, public, two-year college in a outlying rural area. In 2022, 196 students graduated with students earning 184 Associate's degrees, and 12 Certificates.

Quinsigamond Community College offers 121 degree programs. It's a medium sized, public, two-year college in a midsize city. In 2022, 1,028 students graduated with students earning 898 Associate's degrees, and 130 Certificates.

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List of all colleges in Massachusetts

School Average Tuition Student Teacher Ratio Enrolled Students
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Logo Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
5/5
8 : 1 11,858
Harvard University Logo Harvard University Cambridge, MA
5/5
17 : 1 30,631
Amherst College Logo Amherst College Amherst, MA
5/5
7 : 1 1,898
Williams College Logo Williams College Williamstown, MA
5/5
7 : 1 2,222
Wellesley College Logo Wellesley College Wellesley, MA
5/5
7 : 1 2,447