Rankings / By State
Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts
- 49
- Schools
- $64,014
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,593
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,701
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 49 schools run from $33,647 to $143,372, a 4.3× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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Middlesex Community College delivers the most for the money: roughly $50,651 in median earnings against $2,624 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Middlesex Community College is the lowest-cost school here at $2,624 a year in net price.
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Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, versus a 58% 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
- Middlesex Community College costs $2,624 a year and music" class="text-brand-500 hover:underline">Berklee College of Music costs $49,465. Yet their graduates earn $50,651 and $33,647, nowhere near the $46,841 price gap.
- On value, Middlesex 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 Middlesex 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
Technology is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $58K within a decade, and software developer roles are projected to grow 25%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
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 ▲ +124% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 100 |
| 2 Wellesley College #2 overall | $84,803 ▲ +32% vs avg | $25,496 | 91% | 87 |
| 3 Harvard University #3 overall | $101,817 ▲ +59% vs avg | $19,066 | 97% | 87 |
| $88,665 ▲ +39% vs avg | $17,716 | 95% | 86 | |
| $77,644 ▲ +21% vs avg | $23,367 | 94% | 85 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 49 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $64,014 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $20,593.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Middlesex Community College — Net Price: $2,624 | Graduation Rate: 23%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Technology Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the technology workforce?
$58,418
Median earnings (10yr)
60%
Median graduation rate
$19,066
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Computing, data, and information-systems programs train for one of the highest-paying and fastest-moving corners of the labor market. Starting salaries are strong, and hiring increasingly rewards demonstrable skill over pedigree. The field is cyclical, though, and specific tools age quickly. What endures is fundamentals and the habit of learning new ones.
Across the 49 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $58,418 ten years after they first enrolled, about $10,418 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 60%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $19,066 a year, with about $22,369 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 29% 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: employers reward programs with strong industry ties, co-ops, and project portfolios over brand alone. Graduates here post median earnings of $58,418 ten years after enrollment. That premium holds as long as graduates keep their skills current against a fast-shifting stack.
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
Cambridge, MA · 5% accepted · $20,111 net
Why it ranks #1
Massachusetts Institute of Technology lands at #1 with a 100/100 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, 124% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,111 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 #2
Wellesley College lands at #2 with a 87/100 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, 32% 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 #3
Harvard University lands at #3 with a 87/100 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, 59% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,066 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 86/100 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, 39% 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
Amherst College lands at #5 with a 85/100 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, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,367 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 #6
Northeastern University lands at #6 with a 82/100 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, 45% 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 #7
Tufts University lands at #7 with a 81/100 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, 30% 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 #8
Boston University lands at #8 with a 80/100 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, 30% 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
Smith College lands at #9 with a 80/100 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, 0% above 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 #10
Wentworth Institute of Technology lands at #10 with a 79/100 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, 29% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Worcester Polytechnic Institute lands at #11 with a 79/100 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, 62% 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 #12
Boston College lands at #12 with a 78/100 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, 62% 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 #13
Bentley University lands at #13 with a 77/100 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, 89% 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 #14
Mount Holyoke College lands at #14 with a 75/100 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, 9% 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 74/100 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, 21% 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
Bunker Hill Community College lands at #16 with a 73/100 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, 26% 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 #17
Bristol Community College lands at #17 with a 72/100 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, 40% 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 #18
Worcester State University lands at #18 with a 72/100 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, 5% 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 #19
Massachusetts Bay Community College lands at #19 with a 71/100 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, 18% 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 #20
Simmons University lands at #20 with a 71/100 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, 1% 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 #21
Mount Wachusett Community College lands at #21 with a 71/100 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, 36% 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 #22
Clark University lands at #22 with a 70/100 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, 3% 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 #23
Fitchburg State University lands at #23 with a 70/100 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, 16% 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 #24
Quincy College lands at #24 with a 70/100 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, 18% 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 #25
Salem State University lands at #25 with a 70/100 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, 11% 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
College of Our Lady of the Elms lands at #26 with a 69/100 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, 19% 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 #27
Suffolk University lands at #27 with a 69/100 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, 5% 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 #28
North Shore Community College lands at #28 with a 69/100 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, 29% 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 #29
Northern Essex Community College lands at #29 with a 68/100 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, 33% 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
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #30
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #30 with a 68/100 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, 25% 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 #31
Western New England University lands at #31 with a 68/100 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, 14% 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
Berklee College of Music lands at #32 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (25/100). Graduates earn a median $33,647 a decade after enrolling, 47% below this list's average, and net price runs $49,465 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 #33
Assumption University lands at #33 with a 67/100 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, 17% 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
Why it ranks #34
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #34 with a 67/100 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, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 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
Hampshire College lands at #35 with a 67/100 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, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,034 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 #36
Massasoit Community College lands at #36 with a 67/100 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, 28% 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 #37
Gordon College lands at #37 with a 66/100 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, 19% 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 #38
Greenfield Community College lands at #38 with a 66/100 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, 42% 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 #39
Springfield Technical Community College lands at #39 with a 66/100 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, 42% 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
Why it ranks #40
University of Massachusetts-Boston lands at #40 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $65,865 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,707 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 #41
Holyoke Community College lands at #41 with a 66/100 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, 42% 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 #42
Fisher College lands at #42 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $49,669 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,649 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 #43
University of Massachusetts-Lowell lands at #43 with a 65/100 composite, led by academic quality (72/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $64,874 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,163 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 #44
Quinsigamond Community College lands at #44 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (74/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $45,949 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,090 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 #45
Berkshire Community College lands at #45 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $38,832 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,921 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
Framingham State University lands at #46 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (65/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $52,349 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,114 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
North Dartmouth, MA · 91% accepted · $20,927 net
Why it ranks #47
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth lands at #47 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $68,804 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,927 a year. 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 #48
Middlesex Community College lands at #48 with a 60/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by social mobility (41/100). Graduates earn a median $50,651 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,624 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
Roxbury Community College lands at #49 with a 53/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (33/100). Graduates earn a median $38,773 a decade after enrolling, 39% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,244 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 49 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Software Developers and related roles — a field with $132,270 median pay and 25% projected growth.
See the Software Developer career guide →When considering a degree in computer science, Massachusetts stands out as a prime destination, home to some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions. With 46 schools offering computer science programs, students and families are faced with important choices that can shape future career paths.
The strength of a computer science program often hinges on key outcomes like earnings potential, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall mobility for its graduates. Our list highlights schools that excel in these areas, allowing readers to compare and contrast based on what matters most for their unique circumstances.
Take, for example, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wellesley College. MIT graduates enjoy an impressive average salary of $143,372 with a 96% graduation rate, while Wellesley graduates earn $84,803 and have a 91% graduation rate. This stark difference in earnings illustrates the tradeoff between program prestige and individual fit, which is crucial for prospective students to consider.
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 44 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 Suffolk University (2.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Roxbury Community College leads at 36.6%, 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 30.2% across this list. Worcester Polytechnic Institute posts the highest success rate at 67.6%. 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 1.57 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Tufts University reaches 1.89, 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
Looking closely at the data, we see a notable disparity between MIT and Harvard. While both schools offer exceptional computer science programs, MIT graduates earn an average of $143,372, compared to Harvard's $101,817. This difference in earnings may reflect MIT's focused technical curriculum and strong industry connections, which can lead to higher-paying roles right after graduation.
For families evaluating these options, it's essential to weigh financial considerations alongside educational fit. Think about what matters most: Is it the school's location, the specific curriculum, or the campus culture? Each of these factors can significantly impact your experience and satisfaction, so take time to visit campuses and talk to current students.
In the end, choosing a college is about more than just numbers; it's about the journey ahead. This data highlights how a well-chosen program can lead to a stable financial future. A smart choice today can set the foundation for a successful career tomorrow.
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 Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Computer Science Colleges in Massachusetts ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Computer Science 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 $64,014 average across the 49 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, Middlesex Community College leads: graduates earn a median $50,651 against net price of about $2,624 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 58% 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 $20,593 a year across the 49 ranked schools with cost data. Middlesex Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,624. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Computer Science 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 49 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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