Rankings / By Region
Best Colleges in New England
- 50
- Schools
- $77,694
- Avg. Earnings
- 74%
- Avg. Graduation
- $24,340
- Avg. Net Price
- $19,923
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $38,663 to $143,372, a 3.7× 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 74% 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 Fairfield University costs $48,095. Yet their graduates earn $38,663 and $88,794, nowhere near the $42,548 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 Massachusetts Bay Community 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 the outcomes that actually compound — graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value — using 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 $76K ten years out.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-12
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 ▲ +85% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 86 |
| 2 Harvard University #2 overall | $101,817 ▲ +31% vs avg | $19,066 | 97% | 82 |
| 3 Brown University #3 overall | $93,487 ▲ +20% vs avg | $25,184 | 96% | 81 |
| $88,665 ▲ +14% vs avg | $17,716 | 95% | 81 | |
| $84,803 ▲ +9% vs avg | $25,496 | 91% | 80 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in New England
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $77,694 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 74% and an average net price of $24,340.
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
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
New England Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in New England?
$75,656
Median earnings (10yr)
84%
Median graduation rate
$24,090
Median net price
2.0%
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 New England, 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 $75,656 ten years after they first enrolled, about $27,656 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 84%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $24,090 a year, with about $21,500 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 25% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.0%.
What we’re seeing: the schools that matter most for New England pair affordability with outcomes that keep talent local. A median net price of $24,090 and median earnings of $75,656 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, 85% 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, 31% 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
Brown University lands at #3 with a 81/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (78/100). Graduates earn a median $93,487 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,184 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 #4
Williams College lands at #4 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, 14% 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 #5
Wellesley College lands at #5 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, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,496 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
Amherst College lands at #6 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, 0% 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 #7
Bowdoin College lands at #7 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (79/100). Graduates earn a median $82,735 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,398 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 #8
Yale University lands at #8 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (64/100). Graduates earn a median $100,533 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,777 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 #9
Dartmouth College lands at #9 with a 79/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $97,434 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,519 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
Colby College lands at #10 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (76/100). Graduates earn a median $80,490 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,180 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 #11
Babson College lands at #11 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, 60% 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 #12
Bates College lands at #12 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $69,498 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,351 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 #13
Smith College lands at #13 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, 18% 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 #14
Middlebury College lands at #14 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $76,310 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,483 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
Boston University lands at #15 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, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 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 #16
Boston College lands at #16 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, 34% 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 #17
Tufts University lands at #17 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, 7% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Wesleyan University lands at #18 with a 74/100 composite, led by academic quality (91/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (67/100). Graduates earn a median $73,897 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,177 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 #19
Bentley University lands at #19 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, 56% 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 #20
Northeastern University lands at #20 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, 19% 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 #21
College of the Holy Cross lands at #21 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, 17% 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 #22
University of Connecticut lands at #22 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,097 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 #23
Rhode Island College lands at #23 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (67/100). Graduates earn a median $56,318 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,478 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 #24
Mount Holyoke College lands at #24 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, 25% 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 #25
Connecticut College lands at #25 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $75,001 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,175 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 #26
Maine Maritime Academy lands at #26 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $89,964 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,414 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 #27
University of Rhode Island lands at #27 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $69,743 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $21,440 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
Brandeis University lands at #28 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, 1% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Bristol Community College lands at #29 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, 50% 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 #30
Worcester State University lands at #30 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, 22% 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 #31
Bay Path University lands at #31 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, 29% 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 #32
MCPHS University lands at #32 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $125,557 a decade after enrolling, 62% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,545 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 #33
Bridgewater State University lands at #33 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, 26% 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 #34
Worcester Polytechnic Institute lands at #34 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, 33% 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 #35
Western Connecticut State University lands at #35 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $59,115 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,604 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 Maritime Academy lands at #36 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,582 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Saint Michael's College lands at #37 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $61,317 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,239 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 #38
Mount Wachusett Community College lands at #38 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, 47% 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 #39
Clark University lands at #39 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, 20% 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 #40
Fitchburg State University lands at #40 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, 31% 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 #41
Salem State University lands at #41 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, 27% 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
Waterbury, CT · 87% accepted · $10,875 net
Why it ranks #42
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus lands at #42 with a 68/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by academic quality (70/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,875 a year, well under 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 #43
Simmons University lands at #43 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, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,265 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 #44
Westfield State University lands at #44 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, 26% 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 #45
Wentworth Institute of Technology lands at #45 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, 6% 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
New Britain, CT · 73% accepted · $16,857 net
Why it ranks #46
Central Connecticut State University lands at #46 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,562 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,857 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 #47
Connecticut State Community College lands at #47 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (61/100). Graduates earn a median $41,344 a decade after enrolling, 47% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,513 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 #48
Massachusetts Bay Community College lands at #48 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, 32% 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 #49
Fairfield University lands at #49 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $88,794 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $48,095 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
Hartford, CT · 88% accepted · $16,403 net
Why it ranks #50
University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus lands at #50 with a 67/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $73,997 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,403 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
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 New England region is home to some of the nation's most respected colleges, where students not only receive quality education but also see strong returns on their investment. For example, graduates from these institutions earn an average of $78,182, reflecting the value of a degree from this area. As families explore their options, understanding what these schools have in common and what differentiates them can guide their decision-making process.
What sets the top colleges in New England apart is a combination of high graduation rates, competitive earnings, manageable debt levels, and a strong track record of upward mobility. The list below highlights institutions that excel in these areas, providing a snapshot of how each school performs on essential metrics. As you review the rankings, consider how each school aligns with your or your child’s goals — whether that’s financial stability, a robust alumni network, or academic reputation.
Take, for instance, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Dartmouth College. MIT graduates earn $143,372 on average, significantly higher than Dartmouth’s $97,434. However, Dartmouth has a higher net price of $29,519 compared to MIT’s $20,111. This contrast illustrates the trade-offs families must consider between potential earnings and the financial commitment required for each institution, providing context as you weigh your 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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 48 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 2%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. MCPHS University leads the group at 9.3%, with Maine Maritime Academy (3.5%) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (3.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 5.1% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Massachusetts Bay Community College enrolls the most, at 12%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 42.7% across the list, peaking at 91.3% at MCPHS University.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.75, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Tufts University is highest at 1.89.
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
Where These Schools Are Located
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in New England: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in New England ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in New England 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 $77,694 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 74% 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 $24,340 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 New England 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
Related Rankings
