Explore Massachusetts Colleges
Explore 79 colleges and universities in Massachusetts, including 14 public institutions and 65 private schools. Compare tuition costs, acceptance rates, and find your perfect fit.
79
Colleges
14
Public
65
Private
Avg Acceptance Rate
Average acceptance rate for Massachusetts colleges
Avg Net Price
After financial aid
Avg In-State Tuition
For public universities
Massachusetts is a diverse state with distinct college regions. Explore schools by area to find the campus environment that fits your lifestyle.
See how Massachusetts colleges compare head-to-head on acceptance rates, costs, and outcomes.
Browse 79 colleges in Massachusetts, sorted by ranking and selectivity.
#1 in National Universities
Cambridge, MA
Acceptance
4%
Total Cost
$73,849
SAT
1510–1580
Harvard University beckons as America's oldest intellectual powerhouse, where you'll chase groundbreaking ideas alongside the world's sharpest minds in a relentless pursuit of excellence.
#1 in Computer Science
Cambridge, MA
Acceptance
5%
Total Cost
$77,870
SAT
1520–1580
The playground where tomorrow's inventors hack reality, one all-nighter at a time.
#1 in Liberal Arts
Williamstown, MA
Acceptance
8%
Total Cost
$78,710
SAT
1490–1570
In the shadow of the Berkshires, Williams wraps you in Oxford-style tutorials and mountain adventures, forging deep thinkers who hike as fiercely as they debate.
#3 in Liberal Arts
Amherst, MA
Acceptance
9%
Total Cost
$81,890
SAT
1490–1580
At Amherst, you craft your own intellectual path in an intimate liberal arts haven powered by the Five College Consortium, where self-starters thrive amid collaborative quirkiness.
#5 in Psychology
Chestnut Hill, MA
Acceptance
16%
Total Cost
$81,866
SAT
1440–1540
You'll tackle Jesuit-fueled challenges on a hilltop campus minutes from Boston's heartbeat, emerging as a service-driven leader amid fierce competition.
#7 in Communications
Boston, MA
Acceptance
11%
Total Cost
$80,070
SAT
1420–1530
Boston University's sprawling urban heartbeat thrusts you into Boston's professional whirlwind, blending gritty city ambition with surprising academic intimacy.
#8 in Liberal Arts
Wellesley, MA
Acceptance
14%
Total Cost
$82,608
SAT
1460–1560
Wellesley shapes fiercely intelligent women into global leaders on a lakeside campus where collaboration trumps competition, just minutes from Boston.
#10 in Business
Wellesley, MA
Acceptance
17%
Total Cost
$76,494
SAT
1390–1530
Babson College is located in Wellesley, MA.
#12 in Economics
Medford, MA
Acceptance
11%
Total Cost
$82,392
SAT
1470–1560
Tufts delivers Ivy-caliber academics with a jumbo-sized heart for global citizenship, right in Boston's backyard.
#20 in Business
Boston, MA
Acceptance
5%
Total Cost
$78,680
SAT
1440–1540
Boston's co-op pioneer, where students spend half their college career in paid professional jobs.
Harvard University is the highest-ranked university in Massachusetts, ranked #1 nationally. The state is home to several prestigious institutions offering world-class education across various fields.
The average tuition at Massachusetts colleges varies by institution type. For public universities, the average in-state tuition is $36,971 per year. Out-of-state students pay an average of $39,055. After financial aid, the average net price is $27,611.
The average acceptance rate for colleges in Massachusetts is 65%. However, acceptance rates vary significantly by institution, with some highly selective universities accepting less than 10% of applicants while others maintain open enrollment policies.
To qualify for in-state tuition at Massachusetts public universities, you typically need to establish residency for at least 12 months before enrolling. Requirements usually include living in the state, having a Massachusetts driver's license, registering to vote in the state, and demonstrating intent to remain. Specific requirements vary by institution, so check with your chosen school's admissions office.
Massachusetts is located in the Northeast region of the United States. Home to the Ivy League and some of America's oldest universities, the Northeast offers a rich academic tradition with diverse urban and rural campuses.
Massachusetts offers a range of affordable college options. The average net price after financial aid is $27,611. Public universities in Massachusetts provide particularly strong value for in-state residents, with lower tuition rates and access to state financial aid programs.
Nearby States