2024 Best Colleges in Massachusetts

When it comes to elite universities and colleges, Massachusetts stands alone.  Most of the storied private universities are based in and around Boston, and the excellent liberal arts schools are spread throughout beautiful small towns and villages radiating old colonial New England charm. But while UMass Amherst does headline a very good public University network, Massachusetts really can't hold much of a candle to the public networks in larger states like California or New York. 

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12 Results

#1 in Massachusetts | #8 in Liberal Arts

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts

Economic score 1.59

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $26,775

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $88,665

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 96%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#2 in Massachusetts | #10 in Liberal Arts

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Economic score 1.61

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $23,052

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $84,803

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 94%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#3 in Massachusetts | #12 in Liberal Arts

Amherst College

Amherst, Massachusetts

Economic score 1.86

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $25,035

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $77,644

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 96%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#4 in Massachusetts | #21 in Liberal Arts

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, Massachusetts

Economic score 2.43

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $39,310

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $90,543

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 93%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#5 in Massachusetts | #37 in Liberal Arts

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

Economic score 3.05

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $29,952

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $77,745

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 82%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#6 in Massachusetts | #73 in Liberal Arts

Emmanuel College

Boston, Massachusetts

Economic score 4.44

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $30,487

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $68,245

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 62%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#7 in Massachusetts | #90 in Liberal Arts

Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Norton, Massachusetts

Economic score 4.78

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $32,248

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $67,725

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 77%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#8 in Massachusetts | #97 in Liberal Arts

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

Economic score 5.11

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $31,087

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $64,027

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 87%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#9 in Massachusetts | #124 in Liberal Arts

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, Massachusetts

Economic score 6.80

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $31,444

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $58,418

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 85%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#10 in Massachusetts | #133 in Liberal Arts

Gordon College

Wenham, Massachusetts

Economic score 7.53

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $21,043

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $52,119

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 73%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#11 in Massachusetts | #135 in Liberal Arts
Economic score 7.88

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $29,312

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $51,724

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 57%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

#12 in Massachusetts | #147 in Liberal Arts

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

Economic score 11.55

Our economic score ranks programs based on a combination of payback and EarningsPlus. Lower scores are better. Check our methodology page for details and data sources.

Cost $17,630

The median net cost of students who receive federal financial aid. This is lower than the price advertised by the school.

Earnings $48,102

Median earnings of all students 10 years after enrollment. Includes students that did not graduate.

Graduation rate 59%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (49%) are not  displayed.

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