Rankings / By State
Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts
- 50
- Schools
- $73,613
- Avg. Earnings
- 72%
- Avg. Graduation
- $26,818
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,795
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $43,582 at the low end to $143,372 at the top. That 3.3× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $143,372 against $20,111 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is Worcester State University, at $13,381 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 72% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Massachusetts Institute of Technology: graduates owe only 0.10× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Worcester State University ($13,381/yr) and Emerson College ($49,180/yr) produce graduates earning $60,624 and $62,832 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $35,799 cost difference would suggest.
- Completion is where this ranking's schools diverge most: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students versus 16% at Quincy College. Access without completion is opportunity unclaimed.
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 Institute of Technology 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 $66K 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 2026-07-13
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 ▲ +95% vs avg | $20,111 | 96% | 86 |
| 2 Harvard University #2 overall | $101,817 ▲ +38% vs avg | $19,066 | 97% | 83 |
| 3 Williams College #3 overall | $88,665 ▲ +20% vs avg | $17,716 | 95% | 81 |
| $84,803 ▲ +15% vs avg | $25,496 | 91% | 80 | |
| $77,644 ▲ +5% 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 Master's Programs in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $73,613 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 72% and an average net price of $26,818.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Net Price: $20,111 | Graduation Rate: 96%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Median alumni earnings: $143,372
Data Insight
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?
$65,370
Median earnings (10yr)
71%
Median graduation rate
$25,969
Median net price
1.8%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Massachusetts serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $65,370 ten years after they first enrolled, about $17,370 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 71%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $25,969 a year, with about $24,871 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 1.8%.
For Massachusetts, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $25,969 and graduates earning a median of $65,370, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
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, 95% 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 83/100 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, 38% 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, 20% 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, 15% 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 #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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,367 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 #6
Smith College lands at #6 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, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,579 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
Babson College lands at #7 with a 75/100 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, 68% 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 #8
Boston University lands at #8 with a 74/100 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, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,402 a year, well under 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 73/100 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, 41% 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 73/100 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, 13% 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
Northeastern University lands at #11 with a 73/100 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, 26% 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 #12
Bentley University lands at #12 with a 72/100 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, 64% 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 #13
College of the Holy Cross lands at #13 with a 70/100 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, 23% 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 70/100 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, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $26,441 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 #15
Worcester State University lands at #15 with a 68/100 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, 18% 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 #16
Brandeis University lands at #16 with a 68/100 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, 5% 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 #17
Bridgewater State University lands at #17 with a 67/100 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, 22% 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 #18
Massachusetts Maritime Academy lands at #18 with a 67/100 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, 12% 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 #19
Worcester Polytechnic Institute lands at #19 with a 67/100 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, 41% 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 #20
Salem State University lands at #20 with a 66/100 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, 23% 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 #21
Clark University lands at #21 with a 66/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,714 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 #22
Fitchburg State University lands at #22 with a 66/100 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, 27% 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 #23
Westfield State University lands at #23 with a 66/100 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, 22% 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 #24
Simmons University lands at #24 with a 65/100 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, 14% 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 #25
Bay Path University lands at #25 with a 65/100 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, 25% 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 #26
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #26 with a 65/100 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, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 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 #27
Wentworth Institute of Technology lands at #27 with a 65/100 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, 12% 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 #28
Massachusetts College of Art and Design lands at #28 with a 63/100 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, 41% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,100 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 #29
Western New England University lands at #29 with a 63/100 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, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,290 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 #30
College of Our Lady of the Elms lands at #30 with a 63/100 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, 30% 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 #31
Quincy College lands at #31 with a 63/100 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, 29% 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 #32
Stonehill College lands at #32 with a 63/100 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, 6% 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 #33
Suffolk University lands at #33 with a 63/100 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, 8% below 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, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Gordon College lands at #34 with a 62/100 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, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,883 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
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #35
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #35 with a 62/100 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, 35% 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 #36
Hampshire College lands at #36 with a 62/100 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, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,034 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 #37
Assumption University lands at #37 with a 62/100 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, 2% 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 #38
University of Massachusetts-Lowell lands at #38 with a 61/100 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, 12% below 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 #39
Springfield College lands at #39 with a 61/100 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, 35% 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 #40
University of Massachusetts-Boston lands at #40 with a 61/100 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, 11% below 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
Needham, MA · 25% accepted · $25,171 net
Why it ranks #41
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering lands at #41 with a 61/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (21/100). Graduates earn a median $129,455 a decade after enrolling, 76% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,171 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 #42
Emerson College lands at #42 with a 60/100 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, 15% 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 #43
Regis College lands at #43 with a 60/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $52,873 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,477 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
Framingham State University lands at #44 with a 60/100 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, 29% 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
Why it ranks #45
Lasell University lands at #45 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $49,705 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,511 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 #46
Merrimack College lands at #46 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $75,584 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,927 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 #47
Nichols College lands at #47 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $58,063 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $33,036 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 #48
Lesley University lands at #48 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $51,173 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,152 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 #49
Curry College lands at #49 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $54,400 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,207 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
Boston, MA · 85% accepted · $39,545 net
Why it ranks #50
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #50 with a 58/100 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, 71% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Massachusetts is home to some of the most sought-after master's programs in the country. With impressive graduation rates and strong post-graduation earnings, these schools are attracting students looking to advance their careers and improve their earning potential. Consider that the average earnings for graduates from these programs is $74,593.
What sets the top programs apart? It's all about outcomes. Weighing factors like earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and mobility provides a clearer picture of what graduates can expect after leaving school. For instance, the top program listed here boasts earnings of $143,372, significantly higher than the average, indicating a strong return on investment for students.
Take Harvard University and Williams College, for example. Harvard graduates earn an average of $101,817, while Williams graduates earn $88,665. However, Williams boasts a lower net price of $17,716 compared to Harvard's $19,066. Weighing these factors can help prospective students find the right balance between cost and potential earnings.
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 Lasell University (3.1%) and Bentley University (2.9%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 5.2% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Quincy College leads at 13.2%, 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 38.3% 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 1.78 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
When looking at the data, one striking pattern emerges between Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Wellesley College. MIT graduates earn an impressive $143,372, while Wellesley graduates earn $84,803. However, Wellesley has a lower average debt of $10,000 compared to MIT's $14,768. This illustrates the tradeoff between potential earnings and debt burden, which is crucial for students to consider.
With 50 schools to choose from, narrowing down options can feel overwhelming. Factor in your priorities: location, program fit, and financial situation are all significant. For example, if you value a strong return on investment, programs with lower debt and higher earnings should weigh heavier in your decision-making process. Consider visiting campuses to get a feel for the environment, as this can greatly influence your overall experience.
This data underscores the importance of choosing a program that aligns with your career goals. For many families, this decision is about securing a stable future. A master's degree can lead to better job opportunities, but understanding the financial implications is vital. Ultimately, it's about making an informed choice that sets you on the path to 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 Master's Programs in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Master's Programs in Massachusetts ranking? +
Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Master's Programs 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 $73,613 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 Institute of Technology leads: graduates earn a median $143,372 against net price of about $20,111 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 72% 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 $26,818 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Worcester State University is among the most affordable at roughly $13,381. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Master's Programs 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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