The Best Massachusetts Colleges

The Best Colleges in Massachusetts for 2025

These are the top ranked public and private four-year colleges in Massachusetts as ranked by CollegeSimply. Leading the list for 2025 as the best overall college in Massachusetts is Harvard University. The top rated public state college is University of Massachusetts Amherst. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


46 results

University of Massachusetts Amherst
M
Amherst, MA

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#1 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 31,810enrollment
  • $22,954net price
  • 58%acceptance rate
  • 1300-1480SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.99Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Wheaton College
W
Norton, MA

Wheaton College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#19 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,778enrollment
  • $31,638net price
  • 71%acceptance rate
  • 1210-1420SAT range
  • 29-33ACT range
  • 3.48Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Emerson College
E
Boston, MA

Emerson College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#20 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,670enrollment
  • $50,703net price
  • 47%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1410SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.73Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 20

Springfield College
S
Springfield, MA

Springfield College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#21 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,785enrollment
  • $29,198net price
  • 70%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1260SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.56Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

Endicott College
E
Beverly, MA

Endicott College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#22 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,254enrollment
  • $39,988net price
  • 72%acceptance rate
  • 1160-1340SAT range
  • 26-29ACT range
  • 3.55Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Massachusetts Maritime Academy
M
Buzzards Bay, MA

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#2 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 1,362enrollment
  • $20,759net price
  • 95%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1185SAT range
  • 20-28ACT range
  • 3.25Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 15

Gordon College
G
Wenham, MA

Gordon College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#23 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,610enrollment
  • $25,250net price
  • 59%acceptance rate
  • 1168-1370SAT range
  • 26-32ACT range
  • 3.58Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Wentworth Institute of Technology
W
Boston, MA

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#24 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,018enrollment
  • $35,585net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1140-1320SAT range
  • 25-31ACT range
  • 3.39Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

College of Our Lady of the Elms
O
Chicopee, MA

College of Our Lady of the Elms

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#25 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,332enrollment
  • $22,311net price
  • 88%acceptance rate
  • 1150-1320SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.42Avg GPA

Western New England University
W
Springfield, MA

Western New England University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#26 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,574enrollment
  • $31,548net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1130-1310SAT range
  • 25-27ACT range
  • 3.49Avg GPA

Emmanuel College
E
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#27 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,059enrollment
  • $33,214net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 1170-1330SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.6Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

University of Massachusetts Boston
M
Boston, MA

University of Massachusetts Boston

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#3 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 15,810enrollment
  • $17,554net price
  • 83%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1290SAT range
  • 24-30ACT range
  • 3.35Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

University of Massachusetts Lowell
M
Lowell, MA

University of Massachusetts Lowell

Public 4 Year

2 reviews

#4 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 16,770enrollment
  • $17,624net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1180-1350SAT range
  • 26-30ACT range
  • 3.67Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Suffolk University
S
Boston, MA

Suffolk University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#28 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 6,697enrollment
  • $33,089net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1090-1280SAT range
  • 24-32ACT range
  • 3.33Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Curry College
C
Milton, MA

Curry College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#29 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 1,994enrollment
  • $30,367net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1240SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.01Avg GPA

Applications Due Apr 1

Bay Path University
B
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#30 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,643enrollment
  • $14,935net price
  • 73%acceptance rate
  • 1020-1140SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.4Avg GPA

Applications Due Aug 1

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
M
North Dartmouth, MA

University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#5 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 7,759enrollment
  • $20,696net price
  • 92%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1260SAT range
  • 22-27ACT range
  • 3.37Avg GPA

Worcester State University
W
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#6 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 5,611enrollment
  • $14,307net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1008-1280SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1