Top Massachusetts Colleges and Universities

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Massachusetts is located in the northeastern United States and is unique in that there is only one major metropolitan area within this mostly rural state. All five of the highest-ranking universities within Massachusetts lie within the Boston Metropolitan area.
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Top Five Schools in Massachusetts

Harvard University

Harvard University was founded in 1636, making it the oldest institution for higher learning in the United States. Its storied history regarding its rigorous academics and social traditions make it one of the most prestigious universities, as well. Harvard currently has 9,968 undergraduate students who study on its Cambridge, Massachusetts campus, just adjacent to Boston. Although all of its academic programs are excellent, the university is often lauded for its public policy and government education as it prepares students for the study of law. Harvard University is ranked second on U.S. News and World Report's list of top universities in the nation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts not far from Harvard University, MIT is one of the leading research institutions in the world, ranked seventh in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Since admitting its first students in 1868, the university has developed into one of the most sought-after places to obtain an education in the applied sciences and engineering. Currently, MIT has 4, 127 undergraduate students; because the university aims to remain selective and keep class sizes small, only about 13% of the highly qualified students who apply for admission gain entrance.

Tufts University

Tufts University is located in Medford, Massachusetts, in the greater Boston metropolitan area. For students who are planning on graduate work, there is no institution more ideal for an excellent undergraduate preparation. In fact, more than 98% of the 4,995 undergraduate students at Tufts plan to complete graduate or professional studies. The university was founded in 1852 and has a global reputation for a surprisingly wide variety of fields of study for such a relatively small campus. A commitment to international focus is also clear, with almost half of all Tufts students spending some study time abroad. Tufts is ranked #28 in the nation by U.S. News and World Report.

Brandeis University

Founded in 1948 and named after the late Supreme Court Justice, Brandeis is the only nonsectarian Jewish-sponsored university in the country. There are 3,304 undergraduate students enrolled at Brandeis, and the university is committed to providing an excellent preparation for either professional or graduate studies. Brandeis is located in suburban Waltham, Massachusetts, a mere nine miles west of Boston, and students often take full advantage of the internship and research opportunities that come with such a close proximity to the metro area. U.S. News and World Report ranks Brandeis University at #31 in the nation

Boston College

Boston College was founded by the Jesuit Society of Jesus in 1863 and continues to hold firmly to its Catholic traditions and history. In fact, BC actually has one of the largest Jesuit communities in the world. The university has around 9,000 undergraduate students who have over 100 degree programs to choose from. The university joins several other premier institutions for higher learning in Boston, and its students have a wide range of educational, cultural and social activities to choose from among this college consortium. It offers programs in arts and science, management, education, nursing and advancing studies, granting Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees at the undergraduate level. Students can become active in 20 club or 29 intramural sports. It was ranked 57th in the nation by the U.S. News and World Report.

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Bachelor's
      • BA - General Management
      • BBA Human Resources Management
      • BBA Medical Services Management
      • BS Human & Social Services
      • General Management (GM) - BBA
      • Health Services Administration - BS
    Associate's
      • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
      • AS - Business
      • AS - Criminal Justice
      • AS - Accounting
      • AS - Human Resources Specialist
      • AS - IT Networking
    Certificate
      • Business Assistant Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Services Diploma
      • Business - AAS
      • Business Assistant - Diploma
      • Criminal Justice and Security Svcs. - Diploma
      • Accounting Assistant Diploma
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Masters in Psychology
      • Masters in Dispute Resolution
      • Masters in Legal Studies
      • Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Masters in Clinical Psychology (Licensed Professional Counselor)
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
      • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Quantitative Research
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Qualitative Research)
      • Doctor of Philosophy in General Psychology: Performance Psychology (Quantitative Research)
      • Education Specialist in Teaching and Learning
      • D.B.A. with an Emphasis in Marketing - Qualitative Research
    Master's
      • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
      • M.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Human Factors
      • MA in Curriculum and Instruction
      • MS in Psychology: General Psychology
      • M.A. in Communication with an Emphasis in Education
      • M.Ed. in Secondary Education with an Emphasis in Humanities (ITL)
    Bachelor's
      • BS in Psychology
      • B.S. in Psychology with an Emphasis in Performance and Sports Psychology
      • Bachelor of Arts in Communications with an Emphasis in Interpersonal Communication and Human Relationships
      • Bachelor: Business Admin
      • BA in Digital Film - Screenwriting
      • Bachelor: Accounting
  • Campus and Online Programs
    4. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Science - Film Production
      • MS - Entertainment Business (Campus)
      • Game Design Masters - Campus
      • Entertainment Business Masters - Campus
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • M.S. - Entertainment Business
    Bachelor's
      • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
      • Bachelor of Science - Software Development
      • Communications Bachelors with Creative Writing Concentration - Campus
      • Film Production Masters - Campus
      • Communications Bachelors with Media Communications Concentration - Campus
      • Visual Arts Bachelors with Game Art Concentration - Campus
    Certificate
      • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online
      • User Experience Bachelors - Online
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Liberty University

    Program Options

    Doctorate
      • DME: Doctor of Music Education
      • LLM: International Legal Studies
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Elementary Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Middle Grades Education
      • EDD: Curriculum and Instruction/Secondary Education
    Bachelor's
      • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
    Certificate
      • CTG: Communication
      • CTG: Criminal Justice
      • CTG: Curriculum and Instruction
      • CTG: Higher Education Administration
      • CTG: Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
      • CTG: Psychology
  • Online Programs Available
    6. Fordham University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
      • Masters in Social Work
  • Online Programs Available
    7. Penn Foster

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Career Diploma - Dental Assistant
      • Career Diploma - Motorcycle Repair Technician
      • Career Diploma - Payroll Clerk
      • Career Diploma - Diesel Mechanics/Heavy Truck Maintenance
      • Career Diploma - Home Remodeling and Repair
      • Career Diploma - Medical Billing and Coding
  • Campus and Online Programs
    8. The Chicago School

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.A. Psychology
      • M.A. Behavioral Economics
      • M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling
      • M.A. Forensic Psychology
      • M.A. Industrial and Organizational Psychology: ARP Track
      • M.A. International Psychology
    Certificate
      • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
      • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
      • Certificate in Forensic Psychology - M.A. Non-Licensure Track to Licensure Bridge Program
      • Certificate in Behavioral Economics
      • Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis
      • Certificate in Organizational Leadership
  • Online Programs Available
    9. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Chestnut Hill, MA

    Boston College

Featured Schools

Bryant & Stratton College

  • BA - General Management
  • Criminal Justice Studies - AAS
  • Business Assistant Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology

  • Masters in Psychology
  • Masters in Dispute Resolution
  • Masters in Legal Studies

What is your highest level of education completed?

Grand Canyon University

  • Ed.D in Teaching and Learning with an Emphasis in Adult Learning - Qualitative Research
  • M.S. Psychology with an Emphasis in Gerontology
  • BS in Psychology

What is your highest level of education?

Full Sail University

  • Master of Science - Film Production
  • Sportscasting Bachelors - Campus
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

What is your highest level of education?

Liberty University

  • DME: Doctor of Music Education
  • Bachelor of Science in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
  • CTG: Communication

What is your highest level of education?

Fordham University

  • Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance
  • Masters in Social Work

What is your highest level of education completed?

Penn Foster

  • Career Diploma - Dental Assistant
  • Career Diploma - Motorcycle Repair Technician
  • Career Diploma - Payroll Clerk

What is your highest level of education?

The Chicago School

  • M.A. Psychology
  • M.A. Behavioral Economics
  • Suicide and Cyberbullying Prevention Certificate
  • Graduate Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning

What is your highest level of education completed?