Rankings / By State
Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts
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When considering college choices in Massachusetts, students and families often look for programs that can lead to strong outcomes. The schools in this list are united by their commitment to producing graduates who succeed in their careers, with a focus on earnings and graduation rates. With average earnings of $74,547 for graduates across these programs, the value of a degree in this state is clear.
What sets the top schools apart in Massachusetts is not just their reputation but their tangible outcomes. Metrics like graduation rates, average debt, and post-graduation earnings offer a clearer picture of what students can expect. The list below ranks schools based on these important factors, helping families weigh their options effectively.
Take, for example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wellesley College. MIT graduates earn an impressive $143,372 on average, supported by a 96% graduation rate, while Wellesley graduates earn $84,803 with a 91% graduation rate. While both schools show strong outcomes, the tradeoff comes down to financial considerations, as Wellesley’s net price is higher at $25,496 compared to MIT’s $20,111. This contrast highlights the importance of balancing academic prestige with financial realities as you explore your options.
Key Findings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn an average of $143,372 annually.
Harvard University boasts a graduation rate of 97%, one of the highest on this list.
Wellesley College has the highest net price among the top five at $25,496.
The average graduation rate across these programs stands at 73%, reflecting strong student success.
Quick Numbers
How We Ranked
Bachelor's programs in Massachusetts ranked by outcomes and mobility
Read our full methodology →Earnings vs. Cost
Each dot is a ranked school. Up = higher earnings. Right = higher cost. Top-left is the best value.
Graduation Rates
Longer bars = higher graduation rate.
Top 3
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
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Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
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Williams College
Williamstown, MA
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Full Rankings
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · 4,535 students · Private nonprofit
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · 7,601 students · Private nonprofit
Williams College
Williamstown, MA · 2,076 students · Private nonprofit
Wellesley College
Wellesley, MA · 2,300 students · Private nonprofit
Amherst College
Amherst, MA · 1,911 students · Private nonprofit
Smith College
Northampton, MA · 2,544 students · Private nonprofit
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · 2,728 students · Private nonprofit
Boston University
Boston, MA · 18,248 students · Private nonprofit
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · 10,085 students · Private nonprofit
Tufts University
Medford, MA · 7,061 students · Private nonprofit
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · 17,326 students · Private nonprofit
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · 4,474 students · Private nonprofit
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA · 3,106 students · Private nonprofit
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA · 2,169 students · Private nonprofit
Worcester State University
Worcester, MA · 3,930 students · Public
Brandeis University
Waltham, MA · 3,618 students · Private nonprofit
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA · 7,829 students · Public
Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Buzzards Bay, MA · 1,395 students · Public
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA · 5,447 students · Private nonprofit
Salem State University
Salem, MA · 4,291 students · Public
Clark University
Worcester, MA · 2,214 students · Private nonprofit
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA · 2,752 students · Public
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA · 3,615 students · Public
MCPHS University
Boston, MA · 3,451 students · Private nonprofit
Simmons University
Boston, MA · 1,670 students · Private nonprofit
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, MA · 1,108 students · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · 23,671 students · Public
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Boston, MA · 3,747 students · Private nonprofit
Massachusetts College of Art and Design
Boston, MA · 1,831 students · Public
Western New England University
Springfield, MA · 2,603 students · Private nonprofit
College of Our Lady of the Elms
Chicopee, MA · 949 students · Private nonprofit
Stonehill College
Easton, MA · 2,528 students · Private nonprofit
Suffolk University
Boston, MA · 4,268 students · Private nonprofit
Gordon College
Wenham, MA · 1,278 students · Private nonprofit
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA · 713 students · Public
Hampshire College
Amherst, MA · 839 students · Private nonprofit
Assumption University
Worcester, MA · 1,669 students · Private nonprofit
Springfield College
Springfield, MA · 1,751 students · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · 11,512 students · Public
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · 11,434 students · Public
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
Needham, MA · 377 students · Private nonprofit
Emerson College
Boston, MA · 3,870 students · Private nonprofit
Regis College
Weston, MA · 956 students · Private nonprofit
Framingham State University
Framingham, MA · 2,566 students · Public
Lasell University
Newton, MA · 1,226 students · Private nonprofit
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA · 3,916 students · Private nonprofit
Nichols College
Dudley, MA · 1,163 students · Private nonprofit
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA · 1,122 students · Private nonprofit
Curry College
Milton, MA · 1,780 students · Private nonprofit
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA · 5,221 students · Public
While many may assume that reputation alone drives outcomes, the data shows distinct differences between schools. For instance, MIT's graduates not only have the highest average earnings at $143,372 but also feature a 96% graduation rate. In contrast, Wellesley College, while producing solid earnings of $84,803, also comes with a significantly higher net price. This suggests that while Wellesley is a strong choice, MIT may offer a better return on investment.
As you sift through the 50 schools listed, consider what matters most to you. Different schools may have varying strengths in program offerings, campus culture, and financial aid. If a strong graduation rate is your priority, schools like Harvard and MIT are attractive options, but personal fit and financial circumstances should always guide your decision.
Ultimately, the data illustrates how important it is to choose a college that aligns with your goals. A degree can open doors to a stable life, but the right choice will depend on the balance of academic, financial, and personal factors. For one family, that might mean choosing a school with lower debt levels, while another might prioritize high post-graduate earnings. Each decision shapes the future, so weigh your options carefully.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Sources & Citations
David Krug
Co-Founder, CollegeRanker
David Krug is the co-founder of CollegeRanker and a data systems architect focused on making institutional research accessible to families. He builds the data pipelines and ranking algorithms that power CollegeRanker, drawing from federal datasets and Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights research to measure what traditional rankings ignore: whether a college actually changes a family's economic trajectory.
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