Best Colleges in Massachusetts

Based in Cambridge, Harvard University is an Ivy League research institution that serves about 20,000 students annually. The school facilitates online learning through Canvas, allowing students to combine asynchronous classes and campus-based coursework for a hybrid learning experience. Distance learners can take courses in subject areas like data science, business, art and design, and computer programming. They may also delve into health and medicine, examining the U.S. opioid crisis or developing the skills needed to strengthen community health programs. Active teachers can take online classes that work toward specialty endorsement and certificate renewal requirements. Topics include culturally responsive literature instruction and educating global citizens. Additionally, through the Harvard Extension School, working professionals may enroll in a hybrid, dual-degree track that lets them earn bachelor's and master's degrees in liberal arts over five years. Candidates personalize their curriculum by pursuing concentrations like dramatic arts, biotechnology, software engineering, and industrial-organizational psychology. Tuition price varies by class.

Smith College is a private, liberal arts college for women with a student body of 2,500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. The campus houses a museum of art, a botanical garden, residence halls, and NCAA athletics facilities. As a member of the Five College Consortium, Smith permits its students to attend classes at four other institutions in the area. Smith's undergraduate catalog offers more than 50 areas of study in social sciences, history, the arts, languages, literature, mathematics, and natural science. An open curriculum provides each student with the freedom to personalize their academic experience through a variety of courses, concentrations, and internship opportunities. Smith also offers six master's degrees and a Ph.D. in social work. The school uses a coeducational format for graduate programs. Required admission materials for undergraduates include a completed application, a writing supplement, an official high school transcript, two teacher evaluations, and a counselor recommendation. Applicants may choose to submit ACT and/or SAT scores.

Part of the region's Five College Consortium, Mount Holyoke College is a nondenominational, research-oriented liberal arts college for women, including transgender and nonbinary individuals. The 800-acre campus in South Hadley welcomes more than 2,000 students each year and offers notable facilities like an 806,000-volume library, a state-of-the-art science center, and an equestrian center. Students can pursue a bachelor of arts, a master of arts, a certificate, or teacher licensure. MHC offers majors and minors in 48 disciplines including art history, ethnomusicology, film studies, physics, and sociology. Engineering students can pursue a dual-degree BA/BS program in partnership with the California Institute of Technology, the University of Massachusetts, or Dartmouth College. Additionally, learners can seek out interdisciplinary and customizable special majors. To be considered for admission, prospective students must provide a completed application, high school transcripts, a counselor recommendation, and two teacher evaluations. MHC does not require applicants to submit test scores.

Located in Waltham, Brandeis University is named after the first Jewish justice of the U.S. Supreme Court: Louis Brandeis. The institution serves about 5,800 students and offers online academics through Moodle. Remote classes last 10 weeks and are capped at 20 students, enabling learners to effectively build relationships with peers and instructors. In addition to individual asynchronous courses, candidates may pursue fully online graduate degrees related to information technology and data analytics. Graduate students may enroll in master's programs in technology management, bioinformatics, robotic software engineering, and project/program management. They can earn digital marketing and design credentials, learning how to create engaging campaigns for website, mobile, and social media platforms. Brandeis also offers an online master's degree in information security leadership, which helps candidates develop the skills needed to plan, acquire, and maintain secure infrastructures. Degree applicants must submit official academic transcripts, a resume, a personal statement, and a recommendation letter. Depending on their program, candidates may need to fulfill additional prerequisite requirements. Brandeis charges a per-credit tuition rate that disregards residency status.

In addition to a 73-acre campus in Boston, private research institution Northeastern University hosts satellite campuses throughout the U.S., as well as in London, Toronto, and Vancouver. Approximately 18,000 undergraduate and 7,500 graduate students enroll each year. Northeastern organizes academics into more than 60 diverse departments and programs, including American Sign Language, bioinformatics, engineering leadership, game design, and journalism. More than 80 certificate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs offer online opportunities. A leader in experiential learning, Northwestern operates a cooperative education program. These students can alternate classroom study with relevant, full-time employment at more than 3,000 partner organizations across all seven continents. Undergraduate admission consideration requires a completed application, a $75 fee or need-based waiver, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, a counselor recommendation, and a teacher evaluation. Applicants may need to provide supplemental materials or portfolios, depending on the program.

Bentley University was established in 1917 as a finance and accounting school. The institution carries on this tradition by offering business-centered academic programs to more than 5,000 students every year. Bentley offers blended and hybrid classes through the Zoom platform, which enables graduate candidates to accommodate full-time employment. Learners pay per course and may apply for financial aid if they take classes as part of a degree plan. Online course topics include managerial statistics, marketing management, and strategic innovation. Students can enroll in a global strategy course, learning how to leverage their ideas and create project proposals on an international scale. Bentley also facilitates a financial statement analysis class that helps learners with decision-making. In addition to individual online classes, the university oversees a remote master of business administration program that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Online MBA candidates take one course at a time. They pick from eight concentrations, including accountancy, law and taxation, and information systems and technology.

Founded in 1863 as an agricultural school, the University of Massachusetts Amherst stands as the flagship institution in the UMass system. The school serves more than 30,000 students, many of whom pursue hybrid or fully online academics through Blackboard Learn. The school's online degree catalog contains a bachelor of business administration completion track that is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. BBA candidates must transfer in at least 27 credits earned with a minimum 3.0 GPA. The program enables learners to customize their degree plan with majors in accounting, marketing, and hospitality and tourism management. At the graduate level, remote programs cover fields like public health, plant and soil sciences, historic preservation, and labor studies. Business students may extend their education by earning an MBA that comes with five emphasis areas. They can also enroll in an accelerated master of alternative financial investments program. Through a one-year curriculum, finance students develop the asset management skills needed to work for consulting companies and private equity firms. Graduate applicants typically need 3-5 years of relevant work experience.

The second-largest public institution in the state, the University of Massachusetts-Lowell serves more than 18,000 students each year. Located 45 minutes north of Boston, the city of Lowell boasts a thriving arts scene and 1,000 acres of nearby state forest. On campus, students enjoy numerous dining options, over 250 student organizations, and 16 NCAA athletic teams. UMass Lowell offers more than 150 accredited bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in six colleges focused on the arts, humanities, and social sciences; business; education; engineering; healthcare; and science. Learners can work toward more than 70 certificate and degree options through asynchronous online or hybrid learning. New facilities like the Innovation Hub and the Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center provide world-class resources to students, faculty, and community members alike. Prospective first-year students can complete an online or paper application. Required materials include high school transcripts, a personal essay, and a letter of recommendation.

Located on a 50-acre campus in Worcester, Clark University was originally founded in 1887 as the nation's first all-graduate institution. Today, Clark is a private research university serving both undergraduates and graduates and reaching an annual enrollment of approximately 3,000 students. Clark offers 33 undergraduate majors, 12 certificate programs, 17 master's degrees, and nine doctoral degrees. The most popular bachelor's disciplines include psychology, management, political science, and biology. Eligible students who pursue one of Clark's 14 accelerated, dual BA/master's programs can receive a partial or full tuition scholarship for their fifth year of study. As part of the Higher Education Consortium of Central Massachusetts, Clark allows students to cross-register for courses at other area institutions including College of the Holy Cross and Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Prospective freshmen must supply a completed application, high school transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. Clark does not require ACT/SAT scores but encourages interviews, held either on-site or through Skype.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university situated in Cambridge. The institution offers a variety of online learning opportunities powered by Canvas. Options include massive open online courses that enable students to pursue topics like supply chain analytics and global warming science. While individual MOOCs are free, candidates may need to pay a small fee to receive a verified certificate of completion. Through MIT xPRO, working professionals can develop career-advancing competencies in technical and leadership areas. Courses include big data analytics, quantum computing fundamentals, and architecture of complex systems. Students may also enroll in a six-week class on entrepreneurial negotiations that helps them protect and increase the value of their ideas. For distance learners who want to work toward a graduate degree, MIT offers MicroMasters programs in five areas. Options include supply chain management; data, economics, and development policy; and manufacturing principles. Students who complete designated coursework and pass a proctored exam obtain credentials that enable them to apply for master's degree completion at MIT and other universities.

A private institution based in Boston's theatre district, Emerson College also offers external programs in Los Angeles and the Netherlands. Emerson is a founding member of the Professional Arts Consortium, a group dedicated to fostering collegiate arts education. The college enrolls approximately 3,800 undergraduate students and 600 graduate students each year. Undergraduates can choose from 25 majors and more than 30 minors. Majors focus on fields in arts and communication, like theater, creative writing, and public relations. Minors provide additional focus areas in diverse disciplines including science, global studies, and philosophy. Emerson delivers 13 master's degrees (two available online), four graduate certificates, and a variety of credit and noncredit professional programs. Students engage in thriving residence communities, NCAA athletics, and cultural offerings of the surrounding metro area. Undergraduate admission requires submission of high school transcripts, counselor and teacher evaluations, and a completed application. Applicants do not need to provide ACT or SAT scores.

Established in 1899, Simmons University is a private, nonprofit, nonsectarian institution offering women-focused undergraduate study and coeducational graduate study. Features like small class sizes, on-campus housing, more than 80 clubs and organizations, and nearly 100 study abroad opportunities attract approximately 4,000 students to the Boston campus each year. Customizable bachelor's degrees offer majors and minors in more than 50 disciplines in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Fourteen dual-degree programs offer accelerated access to master's degrees in business, education, social work, library science, and healthcare. Undergraduates can participate in internships and summer research programs with Simmons faculty. Dozens of graduate and postgraduate options are also available, with flexible on-campus, off-site, evening, and online completion options. Prospective students can apply to Simmons for free. Undergraduate applicants must provide high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, an essay, and two letters of recommendation.

Originally founded in 1834 as a female seminary, Wheaton College received its college charter in 1912. Today, this private, coeducational, liberal arts college enrolls approximately 1,750 students each year. Wheaton boasts a conveniently located campus in Norton, a low student-to-faculty ratio of 11-to-1, and a respected reputation in NCAA Division III athletics. Wheaton offers 47 majors and 59 minors in arts, sciences, humanities, and social science disciplines. The school's most popular academic interests include psychology, business and management, biology, education, and pre-medicine. Minors are available in diverse disciplines including animal behavior, dance, and medieval and Renaissance studies. Wheaton emphasizes an experiential, interdisciplinary curriculum for all students, encouraging participation in internships, research projects, and off-site experiences including study abroad programs on six continents. First-year applicants must provide a completed application, academic transcripts, and a teacher evaluation form. Test scores are optional. Portfolios are encouraged for applicants to arts, music, and other creative programs.

State-supported Worcester State University is a public liberal arts and sciences university located on 58 acres in Worcester, the second-largest city in New England. More than 5,000 undergraduate students and nearly 1,000 graduate students attend each year. Involvement opportunities include more than 30 clubs and organizations, leadership development, dining, and NCAA athletics. Undergraduates can choose from 60 undergraduate majors and minors in diverse areas of study including early childhood education, liberal studies, public health, and visual and performing arts. WSU also offers 29 graduate certificates and degrees, eight of which can be pursued by eligible undergraduates in a seamless, accelerated "4-plus" program format. Hands-on, real-world learning options include internships, service projects, and research opportunities. Prospective students must supply a completed application and high school transcripts showing a minimum 3.0 GPA in required college preparatory courses. Test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation are optional.

Stonehill College is a private, Roman Catholic liberal arts school that serves approximately 2,500 undergraduate students each year. Stonehill's programs hold accreditation from organizations including the American Chemical Society, the Association of University Programs in Health Administration, and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. From a 385-acre campus in Easton, just 22 miles south of Boston, students can pursue 47 majors and 51 minors in the humanities, arts, natural and social sciences, business, education, and pre-professional fields. Three master's degrees are also available, in data analytics, marketing communication, and special education. Stonehill boasts a number of academic partnerships with other institutions, including accelerated, dual-degree science and engineering programs with the University of Notre Dame. First-year applicants must provide a completed application, an essay, high school transcripts, one or more teacher evaluations, and a $60 application fee or waiver.

Westfield State University opened its doors in 1838 as the first coeducational higher education institution in the U.S. without barriers based on race, gender, or economic status. Today, the school supports about 5,500 students and facilitates distance education through the PLATO platform. Incoming first-year students may enroll in a fully online bachelor of history program. Westfield State also delivers baccalaureate completion tracks in areas like psychology, business, criminal justice, and sociology. Additionally, licensed RNs can earn a bachelor of nursing in 12 months through a completionist track that blends online and campus-based coursework. Similarly, Westfield State offers two hybrid master's programs in accounting and social work. The two-year MSW option prepares students for entry-level professional certification. In addition to clinical practice, candidates engage in research that focuses on substance abuse treatment, gerontology, or healthcare management. To enroll, MSW applicants must display a minimum 2.8 GPA. They also need to furnish a current resume and three professional references.

Named after the town in which it's located, Amherst College is a private four-year institution that serves approximately 1,800 undergraduate students each year. Amherst is a member of the Five College Consortium, allowing students to attend classes at four other institutions in the Pioneer Valley region at no additional tuition cost. Students at Amherst can pursue a bachelor of arts degree in 40 different majors, representing disciplines in the arts, sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Amherst was the first college in the country to offer an undergraduate program in neuroscience. Other degree options include film and media studies, black studies, astronomy, and religion. With approval, students can also create their own interdisciplinary major. First-year applicants must provide a completed application, a writing sample, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, teacher and counselor recommendations, and a $65 fee, unless eligible for a waiver.

Wellesley College is a private liberal arts college for women located in the Massachusetts town of the same name. Wellesley serves a diverse enrollment of 2,400 undergraduates each year, with less than half of all students identifying as Caucasian. Notable alums include politician Hillary Clinton, journalist Diane Sawyer, and screenwriter Nora Ephron. Students play a major role in everything at Wellesley. Beyond academics, students serve on committees of the Board of Trustees, contribute to strategic planning, and participate in faculty research. In the classroom, learners can choose from more than 50 departmental and interdepartmental majors including geoscience, psychology, health and society, and women's and gender studies. A large percentage of students participate in international study, internships, and dual-degree programs with other institutions. Applying to Wellesley requires submitting a free application, two essays, high school transcripts, and ACT or SAT scores. If desired, applicants may also schedule an interview and/or provide an arts, music, or theatre supplement.

Tufts University is an independent, private research university located in Medford and Somerville. Tufts offers world-class education, extensive study abroad opportunities, NCAA athletics, and more than 300 student organizations, including the Tufts Beelzebubs a cappella group, known for their performances on NBC's "The Sing-Off" and Fox's "Glee." Approximately 11,500 undergraduates and 5,500 graduate students attend Tufts each year, selecting pathways that span more than 150 undergraduate majors and minors in addition to more than 60 master's and doctoral programs. Whether studying engineering, health, arts, math, science, or the humanities, Tufts students are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary and global education. Tufts offers several combined degree programs in partnership with other institutions, including the New England Conservatory, MIT, and Harvard Law School. Admission to Tufts is selective. Prospective first-year students must supply high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, one or two letters of recommendation, a writing sample, and a $75 application fee.

Formally founded in 1863, Boston College was the first institution of higher education to operate in Boston. Construction for a major campus began in 1909, six miles west of the city in the unincorporated village Chestnut Hill. Today, the private, Jesuit research university spans 175 acres, with additional satellite campuses in Newton and Brighton. BC enrolls approximately 14,500 students each year and organizes academic offerings into nine schools and colleges. The most popular undergraduate majors include economics, finance, biology, political science, and communication. Graduate students can pursue disciplines including geophysics, Hispanic studies, Irish literature and culture, and theology. Outside of class, engagement opportunities include 31 NCAA varsity teams, intramural sports, and 273 clubs and organizations. Undergraduate application requirements include a writing supplement, ACT or SAT scores, high school transcripts, a counselor recommendation form, two teacher evaluations, and an $80 application fee. Perspective art, music, or theatre students can supply additional materials if desired.