Rankings / By State
Best Colleges in Massachusetts
- 50
- Schools
- $67,404
- Avg. Earnings
- 63%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,412
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,434
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $36,966 to $143,372, a 3.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Massachusetts Bay Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $52,654 in median earnings against $7,169 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Bristol Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $5,547 a year in net price.
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Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, versus a 63% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.10× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- Bristol Community College costs $5,547 a year and Emerson College costs $49,180. Yet their graduates earn $38,663 and $62,832, nowhere near the $43,633 price gap.
- On value, Massachusetts Bay Community College beats Massachusetts Institute of Technology: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
- Graduation rates split the field: Harvard University finishes 97% of students while Quincy College finishes 16%. Same ranking, very different odds of leaving with a degree.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with Massachusetts Bay Community College and Harvard University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $62K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-15
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology #1 overall | $143,372 ▲ +113% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 86 |
| 2 Harvard University #2 overall | $101,817 ▲ +51% vs avg | $19,066 | 97% | 82 |
| 3 Williams College #3 overall | $88,665 ▲ +32% vs avg | $17,716 | 95% | 81 |
| $84,803 ▲ +26% vs avg | $25,496 | 91% | 80 | |
| $77,644 ▲ +15% vs avg | $23,367 | 94% | 80 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $67,404 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 63% and an average net price of $22,412.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Massachusetts Bay Community College — Net Price: $7,169 | Graduation Rate: 16%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Massachusetts Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Massachusetts?
$61,503
Median earnings (10yr)
69%
Median graduation rate
$22,875
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Higher education is intensely local: most students enroll close to home and stay to work nearby, so a state's colleges are also its talent pipeline. This ranking looks at the mix of public and private institutions across Massachusetts, asking who keeps graduates in-state, who delivers earnings against the local cost of living, and who moves residents up the income ladder.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $61,503 ten years after they first enrolled, about $13,503 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 69%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $22,875 a year, with about $22,951 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 27% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.8%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for Massachusetts pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $22,875 and median earnings of $61,503 show which institutions strengthen the regional economy rather than simply enrolling students.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands at #1 with a 86/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (81/100). Graduates earn a median $143,372 a decade after enrolling, 113% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Harvard University lands at #2 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (97/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $101,817 a decade after enrolling, 51% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Williams College lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (81/100). Graduates earn a median $88,665 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,716 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Wellesley College lands at #4 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (75/100). Graduates earn a median $84,803 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Amherst College lands at #5 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (77/100). Graduates earn a median $77,644 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,367 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Babson College lands at #6 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $123,938 a decade after enrolling, 84% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,514 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Smith College lands at #7 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (71/100). Graduates earn a median $64,027 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,579 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Boston University lands at #8 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $83,238 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Boston College lands at #9 with a 75/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $103,937 a decade after enrolling, 54% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,704 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Tufts University lands at #10 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $83,214 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,998 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Bentley University lands at #11 with a 74/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $120,959 a decade after enrolling, 79% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,930 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
Northeastern University lands at #12 with a 74/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $92,538 a decade after enrolling, 37% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,915 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
College of the Holy Cross lands at #13 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $90,543 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,782 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
Mount Holyoke College lands at #14 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (87/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $58,418 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,441 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Brandeis University lands at #15 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $77,231 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $35,736 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Bristol Community College lands at #16 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (93/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $38,663 a decade after enrolling, 43% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,547 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Worcester State University lands at #17 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (78/100) and pulled down by academic quality (64/100). Graduates earn a median $60,624 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,381 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Bay Path University lands at #18 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (97/100) and pulled down by academic quality (54/100). Graduates earn a median $55,383 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,271 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Bridgewater State University lands at #19 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (56/100). Graduates earn a median $57,466 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,383 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Worcester Polytechnic Institute lands at #20 with a 69/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $103,470 a decade after enrolling, 54% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,071 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Massachusetts Maritime Academy lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $82,392 a decade after enrolling, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,582 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
Mount Wachusett Community College lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $41,118 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,931 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Clark University lands at #23 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $62,381 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,714 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Fitchburg State University lands at #24 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $53,874 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,262 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Salem State University lands at #25 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $56,662 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,996 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
Simmons University lands at #26 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $63,494 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Westfield State University lands at #27 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $57,346 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,721 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Wentworth Institute of Technology lands at #28 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $82,721 a decade after enrolling, 23% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,170 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Massachusetts Bay Community College lands at #29 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,654 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,169 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
North Shore Community College lands at #30 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (57/100). Graduates earn a median $45,391 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,000 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Western New England University lands at #31 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $73,157 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,290 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Suffolk University lands at #32 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $67,506 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,618 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Bunker Hill Community College lands at #33 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $47,618 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,818 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Stonehill College lands at #34 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $77,745 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,016 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
College of Our Lady of the Elms lands at #35 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $51,540 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,545 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Massachusetts College of Art and Design lands at #36 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $43,582 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,100 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Northern Essex Community College lands at #37 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $42,862 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,046 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Quincy College lands at #38 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (55/100). Graduates earn a median $52,506 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,126 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Cape Cod Community College lands at #39 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $43,670 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,296 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Hampshire College lands at #40 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $46,938 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,034 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Gordon College lands at #41 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $52,119 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,883 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Greenfield Community College lands at #42 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (43/100). Graduates earn a median $37,132 a decade after enrolling, 45% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,679 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Massasoit Community College lands at #43 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $46,111 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,460 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
Assumption University lands at #44 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $74,895 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,498 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #45
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #45 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $48,102 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Springfield College lands at #46 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $48,036 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,587 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Holyoke Community College lands at #47 with a 64/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $37,277 a decade after enrolling, 45% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,068 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #48 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $71,631 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Emerson College lands at #49 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $62,832 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $49,180 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Springfield Technical Community College lands at #50 with a 63/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $36,966 a decade after enrolling, 45% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,662 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
The best colleges in Massachusetts are known for their strong academic programs and impressive outcomes. Families and students often look to these institutions for their potential to provide a solid return on investment. With an average earnings figure of $71,287 for graduates, it's clear that these schools are making a mark in the job market.
What sets the top schools apart in this list is not just their educational offerings but also their graduation rates, debt levels, and the financial return students can expect after graduation. For instance, the highest-ranking schools boast graduation rates above 90% and relatively low average debt, which can significantly impact a student's financial future. Understanding these factors helps families make informed decisions about where to invest their time and resources.
Take Harvard University and Wellesley College, for example. Harvard graduates earn an impressive $101,817 on average, while Wellesley graduates earn $84,803. The difference in earnings is substantial, yet Wellesley has a lower net price of $25,496 compared to Harvard's $19,066. These contrasts highlight the importance of balancing potential earnings with financial considerations as families explore their options.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 49 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 1.8%. Massachusetts Institute of Technology leads the group at 3.4%, with Bentley University (2.9%) and Babson College (2.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 6.8% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Bunker Hill Community College leads at 19.8%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 33.6% across this list. Babson College posts the highest success rate at 68.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.66 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Emerson College reaches 1.90, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Diving deeper into the data, we see that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology consistently outperforms its peers in terms of earnings, with graduates making an average of $143,372. In contrast, Amherst College graduates earn $77,644. This disparity highlights the impact of program focus and resources on future success, making it crucial for students to consider their field of interest when choosing a school.
For those sifting through this list of 50 institutions, it's essential to weigh the data against personal priorities. Consider factors such as location, specific programs of interest, and campus culture. Balancing these elements with the financial implications—like net price and average debt—can lead to a more personalized decision that aligns with your family's values and goals.
Ultimately, these figures reflect the pathways that lead from college to stable livelihoods. Each decision made during this process can shape a student's future. With careful consideration, families can choose a college that not only fits their academic needs but also sets them on a path toward financial stability and professional success.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Massachusetts ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $143,372 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 96% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology posts the highest median earnings on this list: $143,372 ten years after enrollment, well above the $67,404 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, Massachusetts Bay Community College leads: graduates earn a median $52,654 against net price of about $7,169 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Harvard University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 63% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $22,412 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Bristol Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $5,547. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Massachusetts ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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