Rankings / By State
Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
- 48
- Schools
- $63,344
- Avg. Earnings
- 64%
- Avg. Graduation
- $24,437
- Avg. Net Price
- $22,362
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $37,277 at the low end to $103,937 at the top. That 2.8× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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Bunker Hill Community College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $47,618 against $7,818 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 Bunker Hill Community College, at $7,818 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Harvard University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 64% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Wellesley College: graduates owe only 0.12× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Harvard University ($101,817 earnings), not the highest earner, Boston College ($103,937). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. Bunker Hill Community College ($7,818/yr) and Boston College ($41,704/yr) produce graduates earning $47,618 and $103,937 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $33,886 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, Bunker Hill Community College outperforms Boston College: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
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 Bunker Hill Community College and Harvard University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $61K 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 Harvard University #1 overall | $101,817 ▲ +61% vs avg | $19,066 | 97% | 83 |
| 2 Amherst College #2 overall | $77,644 ▲ +23% vs avg | $23,367 | 94% | 79 |
| 3 Williams College #3 overall | $88,665 ▲ +40% vs avg | $17,716 | 95% | 78 |
| $84,803 ▲ +34% vs avg | $25,496 | 91% | 77 | |
| $55,383 ▼ -13% vs avg | $14,271 | 51% | 76 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts
This analysis ranks 48 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $63,344 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 64% and an average net price of $24,437.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: Bunker Hill Community College — Net Price: $7,818 | Graduation Rate: 16%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Harvard University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Boston College — Median alumni earnings: $103,937
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Human Services Workforce Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the human-services and social-work workforce?
$59,521
Median earnings (10yr)
64%
Median graduation rate
$25,381
Median net price
1.7%
Avg. mobility rate
Demand for mental-health and social-service professionals keeps rising, driven by greater awareness of mental-health needs, an aging population, and expanding access to services. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The social return is high and the financial return is capped, which makes program cost the most important variable in the value equation.
Across the 48 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $59,521 ten years after they first enrolled, about $11,521 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 64%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $25,381 a year, with about $24,951 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 28% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 1.7%.
In human services, the cost of the degree matters as much as the career that follows it. Median earnings of roughly $59,521 and a net price of about $25,381 leave little room for heavy borrowing. Graduates who keep debt minimal do best in a field where the rewards are primarily social rather than financial.
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
Harvard University lands at #1 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, 61% 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 #2
Amherst College lands at #2 with a 79/100 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, 23% 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 #3
Williams College lands at #3 with a 78/100 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, 40% 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 77/100 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, 34% 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
Bay Path University lands at #5 with a 76/100 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, 13% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Boston College lands at #6 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, 64% 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 #7
Tufts University lands at #7 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, 31% 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
Smith College lands at #8 with a 72/100 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, 1% 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 #9
College of the Holy Cross lands at #9 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, 43% 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 #10
Boston University lands at #10 with a 72/100 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, 31% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Western New England University lands at #11 with a 69/100 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, 15% 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 #12
Brandeis University lands at #12 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, 22% 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 #13
Clark University lands at #13 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, 2% 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 #14
Worcester State University lands at #14 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, 4% 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 #15
Bridgewater State University lands at #15 with a 68/100 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, 9% 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 #16
Hampshire College lands at #16 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, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,034 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Massasoit Community College lands at #17 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, 27% 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 #18
Salem State University lands at #18 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, 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 #19
Simmons University lands at #19 with a 66/100 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, 0% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Mount Holyoke College lands at #20 with a 66/100 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, 8% 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 #21
Holyoke Community College lands at #21 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, 41% 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 #22
Westfield State University lands at #22 with a 65/100 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, 9% 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 #23
Fitchburg State University lands at #23 with a 64/100 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, 15% 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
Suffolk University lands at #24 with a 64/100 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, 7% 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 #25
Lesley University lands at #25 with a 64/100 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, 19% 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 #26
Stonehill College lands at #26 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, 23% 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
North Adams, MA · 90% accepted · $16,068 net
Why it ranks #27
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts lands at #27 with a 63/100 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, 24% 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 #28
Gordon College lands at #28 with a 63/100 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, 18% 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
Why it ranks #29
Quinsigamond Community College lands at #29 with a 62/100 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, 27% 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 #30
Assumption University lands at #30 with a 61/100 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, 18% 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 #31
Bunker Hill Community College lands at #31 with a 61/100 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, 25% 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 #32
University of Massachusetts-Boston lands at #32 with a 60/100 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, 4% 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 #33
University of Massachusetts-Amherst lands at #33 with a 60/100 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, 13% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,383 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Anna Maria College lands at #34 with a 59/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $46,651 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,333 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 #35
Curry College lands at #35 with a 59/100 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, 14% 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
Why it ranks #36
Springfield College lands at #36 with a 59/100 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, 24% 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 #37
Merrimack College lands at #37 with a 58/100 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, 19% 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 #38
Fisher College lands at #38 with a 58/100 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 #39
Lasell University lands at #39 with a 58/100 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, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,511 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
Endicott College lands at #40 with a 58/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $58,336 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $40,654 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 #41
Nichols College lands at #41 with a 58/100 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, 8% 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 #42
University of Massachusetts-Lowell lands at #42 with a 58/100 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, 2% 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 #43
Framingham State University lands at #43 with a 57/100 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, 17% 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 #44
American International College lands at #44 with a 57/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $53,124 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,274 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 #45
Emmanuel College lands at #45 with a 56/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (43/100). Graduates earn a median $68,245 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $26,706 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
North Dartmouth, MA · 91% accepted · $20,927 net
Why it ranks #46
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth lands at #46 with a 54/100 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, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,927 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 #47
Wheaton College (Massachusetts) lands at #47 with a 54/100 composite, led by academic quality (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $67,725 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,822 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 #48
Dean College lands at #48 with a 51/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $38,109 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $30,684 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 48 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Psychology programs in Massachusetts attract students interested in understanding human behavior and mental processes. With a range of colleges offering strong degrees, prospective students have plenty to consider about their education and future career paths. The average earnings for graduates from these programs is $63,547, highlighting the potential return on investment for a psychology degree in this state.
What sets the top psychology colleges apart are key outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and overall program concentration. These metrics provide a clearer picture of how well a school prepares its students for success after graduation. The list below showcases institutions that excel in these areas, giving families a resource to evaluate potential options based on what matters most.
For example, Harvard University stands out with impressive earnings of $101,817 and a graduation rate of 97%. In contrast, Boston College, while offering high earnings at $103,937, has a higher net price of $41,704 and a 91% graduation rate. This nuanced view prompts students to think critically about the trade-offs between cost and potential earnings, making it essential to weigh each aspect carefully as they navigate their choices.
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 41 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 1.7%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Lasell University leads the group at 3.1%, with American International College (2.7%) and Suffolk University (2.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 6.5% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Bunker Hill Community College enrolls the most, at 19.8%, 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 32.2% across the list, peaking at 62.2% at Tufts 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 1.68, 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
The data reveals that Harvard University consistently outperforms other schools, such as Wellesley College, with higher earnings at $101,817 versus Wellesley's $84,803. This disparity could be attributed to Harvard's extensive alumni network and research opportunities, which may lead to better job placements and salary outcomes for graduates.
For students evaluating these 50 schools, consider your priorities like campus culture, proximity to home, and financial implications. If a school has a higher net price but offers greater earning potential, it might be worth that investment. Balancing these factors with personal preferences will help clarify which institution aligns best with your goals.
Ultimately, the data reflects the significant impact of choosing the right college on a path toward stability and success. Families must weigh the costs of education against potential earnings, as these decisions shape not just careers but entire lives. A psychology degree can open doors, but the right choice can make all the difference in the journey ahead.
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 Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts ranking? +
Harvard University in Cambridge, MA ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Psychology Colleges in Massachusetts ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $101,817 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 97% 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? +
Boston College posts the highest median earnings on this list: $103,937 ten years after enrollment, well above the $63,344 average across the 48 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, Bunker Hill Community College leads: graduates earn a median $47,618 against net price of about $7,818 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 64% 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 $24,437 a year across the 48 ranked schools with cost data. Bunker Hill Community College is among the most affordable at roughly $7,818. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Psychology 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 48 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
