# Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-massachusetts

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in Massachusetts ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

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.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/massachusetts-institute-of-technology) | Cambridge, MA | 96% | $143,372 | $20,111 | $14,768 | 0.1x |
| 2 | [Harvard University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/harvard-university) | Cambridge, MA | 97% | $101,817 | $19,066 | $14,000 | 0.14x |
| 3 | [Williams College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/williams-college) | Williamstown, MA | 95% | $88,665 | $17,716 | $12,761 | 0.14x |
| 4 | [Wellesley College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wellesley-college) | Wellesley, MA | 91% | $84,803 | $25,496 | $10,000 | 0.12x |
| 5 | [Amherst College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/amherst-college) | Amherst, MA | 94% | $77,644 | $23,367 | $13,740 | 0.18x |
| 6 | [Smith College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/smith-college) | Northampton, MA | 89% | $64,027 | $27,579 | $17,550 | 0.27x |
| 7 | [Babson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/babson-college) | Wellesley, MA | 93% | $123,938 | $40,514 | $20,000 | 0.16x |
| 8 | [Boston University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/boston-university) | Boston, MA | 89% | $83,238 | $24,402 | $23,250 | 0.28x |
| 9 | [Boston College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/boston-college) | Chestnut Hill, MA | 91% | $103,937 | $41,704 | $19,000 | 0.18x |
| 10 | [Tufts University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/tufts-university) | Medford, MA | 93% | $83,214 | $39,998 | $16,250 | 0.2x |
| 11 | [Northeastern University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/northeastern-university) | Boston, MA | 90% | $92,538 | $30,915 | $24,250 | 0.26x |
| 12 | [Bentley University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bentley-university) | Waltham, MA | 88% | $120,959 | $37,930 | $25,023 | 0.21x |
| 13 | [College of the Holy Cross](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-the-holy-cross) | Worcester, MA | 88% | $90,543 | $38,782 | $27,000 | 0.3x |
| 14 | [Mount Holyoke College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mount-holyoke-college) | South Hadley, MA | 85% | $58,418 | $26,441 | $22,902 | 0.39x |
| 15 | [Worcester State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/worcester-state-university) | Worcester, MA | 58% | $60,624 | $13,381 | $19,500 | 0.32x |
| 16 | [Brandeis University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/brandeis-university) | Waltham, MA | 86% | $77,231 | $35,736 | $25,648 | 0.33x |
| 17 | [Bridgewater State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bridgewater-state-university) | Bridgewater, MA | 54% | $57,466 | $16,383 | $24,286 | 0.42x |
| 18 | [Massachusetts Maritime Academy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/massachusetts-maritime-academy) | Buzzards Bay, MA | 77% | $82,392 | $21,582 | $25,000 | 0.3x |
| 19 | [Worcester Polytechnic Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/worcester-polytechnic-institute) | Worcester, MA | 89% | $103,470 | $43,071 | $27,000 | 0.26x |
| 20 | [Salem State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/salem-state-university) | Salem, MA | 52% | $56,662 | $15,996 | $25,000 | 0.44x |
| 21 | [Clark University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clark-university) | Worcester, MA | 77% | $62,381 | $28,714 | $26,759 | 0.43x |
| 22 | [Fitchburg State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fitchburg-state-university) | Fitchburg, MA | 54% | $53,874 | $14,262 | $24,239 | 0.45x |
| 23 | [Westfield State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/westfield-state-university) | Westfield, MA | 55% | $57,346 | $16,721 | $22,457 | 0.39x |
| 24 | [MCPHS University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mcphs-university) | Boston, MA | 63% | $125,557 | $39,545 | $25,000 | 0.2x |
| 25 | [Simmons University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/simmons-university) | Boston, MA | 72% | $63,494 | $25,265 | $24,840 | 0.39x |
| 26 | [Bay Path University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/bay-path-university) | Longmeadow, MA | 51% | $55,383 | $14,271 | $24,901 | 0.45x |
| 27 | [University of Massachusetts-Amherst](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-massachusetts-amherst) | Amherst, MA | 83% | $71,631 | $22,383 | $22,763 | 0.32x |
| 28 | [Wentworth Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wentworth-institute-of-technology) | Boston, MA | 68% | $82,721 | $34,170 | $25,028 | 0.3x |
| 29 | [Massachusetts College of Art and Design](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/massachusetts-college-of-art-and-design) | Boston, MA | 69% | $43,582 | $24,100 | $25,755 | 0.59x |
| 30 | [Western New England University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/western-new-england-university) | Springfield, MA | 64% | $73,157 | $27,290 | $25,500 | 0.35x |
| 31 | [College of Our Lady of the Elms](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/college-of-our-lady-of-the-elms) | Chicopee, MA | 66% | $51,540 | $17,545 | $25,000 | 0.49x |
| 32 | [Stonehill College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stonehill-college) | Easton, MA | 78% | $77,745 | $33,016 | $25,000 | 0.32x |
| 33 | [Suffolk University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suffolk-university) | Boston, MA | 60% | $67,506 | $29,618 | $26,889 | 0.4x |
| 34 | [Gordon College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/gordon-college) | Wenham, MA | 68% | $52,119 | $24,883 | $26,250 | 0.5x |
| 35 | [Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/massachusetts-college-of-liberal-arts) | North Adams, MA | 52% | $48,102 | $16,068 | $23,750 | 0.49x |
| 36 | [Hampshire College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hampshire-college) | Amherst, MA | 56% | $46,938 | $24,034 | $26,893 | 0.57x |
| 37 | [Assumption University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/assumption-university) | Worcester, MA | 75% | $74,895 | $29,498 | $27,000 | 0.36x |
| 38 | [Springfield College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/springfield-college) | Springfield, MA | 71% | $48,036 | $30,587 | $26,250 | 0.55x |
| 39 | [University of Massachusetts-Boston](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-massachusetts-boston) | Boston, MA | 50% | $65,865 | $17,707 | $21,974 | 0.33x |
| 40 | [University of Massachusetts-Lowell](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-massachusetts-lowell) | Lowell, MA | 67% | $64,874 | $17,163 | $23,704 | 0.37x |
| 41 | [Franklin W Olin College of Engineering](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/franklin-w-olin-college-of-engineering) | Needham, MA | 94% | $129,455 | $25,171 | $19,500 | 0.15x |
| 42 | [Emerson College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/emerson-college) | Boston, MA | 78% | $62,832 | $49,180 | $23,000 | 0.37x |
| 43 | [Regis College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/regis-college) | Weston, MA | 71% | $52,873 | $27,477 | $25,500 | 0.48x |
| 44 | [Framingham State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/framingham-state-university) | Framingham, MA | 49% | $52,349 | $16,114 | $25,000 | 0.48x |
| 45 | [Lasell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lasell-university) | Newton, MA | 56% | $49,705 | $27,511 | $26,000 | 0.52x |
| 46 | [Merrimack College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/merrimack-college) | North Andover, MA | 71% | $75,584 | $37,927 | $27,000 | 0.36x |
| 47 | [Nichols College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/nichols-college) | Dudley, MA | 63% | $58,063 | $33,036 | $27,000 | 0.47x |
| 48 | [Lesley University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/lesley-university) | Cambridge, MA | 60% | $51,173 | $31,152 | $21,000 | 0.41x |
| 49 | [Curry College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/curry-college) | Milton, MA | 50% | $54,400 | $29,207 | $25,000 | 0.46x |
| 50 | [University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-massachusetts-dartmouth) | North Dartmouth, MA | 51% | $68,804 | $20,927 | $25,000 | 0.36x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in Massachusetts." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-massachusetts

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.