Top Rated Massachusetts Private Colleges

The Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts for 2025

These are the top ranked private four-year colleges in Massachusetts. Leading the rankings for 2025 as the highest ranked private college in Massachusetts is Harvard University. Learn how the Best Colleges rankings are calculated on our ranking methodology page.


35 results

Harvard University
H
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#4 Best Colleges in America

  • 30,386enrollment
  • $17,900net price
  • 3%acceptance rate
  • 1500-1580SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
M
Cambridge, MA

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#7 Best Colleges in America

  • 11,920enrollment
  • $21,519net price
  • 5%acceptance rate
  • 1510-1580SAT range
  • 34-36ACT range
  • 3.96Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Williams College
W
Williamstown, MA

Williams College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#13 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,168enrollment
  • $16,988net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1470-1560SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.94Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 10

Amherst College
A
Amherst, MA

Amherst College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Colleges in America

  • 1,910enrollment
  • $17,965net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1360-1550SAT range
  • 31-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 2

Wellesley College
W
Wellesley, MA

Wellesley College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#18 Best Colleges in America

  • 2,418enrollment
  • $21,501net price
  • 14%acceptance rate
  • 1440-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 8

Tufts University
T
Medford, MA

Tufts University

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#6 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 13,274enrollment
  • $33,333net price
  • 10%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Boston College
B
Chestnut Hill, MA

Boston College

Private 4 Year

4 reviews

#7 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 15,280enrollment
  • $32,590net price
  • 16%acceptance rate
  • 1430-1540SAT range
  • 33-34ACT range
  • 3.86Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Smith College
S
Northampton, MA

Smith College

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#8 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,830enrollment
  • $27,823net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1408-1540SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 4.0Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Boston University
B
Boston, MA

Boston University

Private 4 Year

10 reviews

#9 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 36,624enrollment
  • $27,551net price
  • 11%acceptance rate
  • 1400-1520SAT range
  • 32-34ACT range
  • 3.79Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 4

College of the Holy Cross
H
Worcester, MA

College of the Holy Cross

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,035enrollment
  • $35,455net price
  • 21%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1420SAT range
  • 28-32ACT range
  • NAAvg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Mount Holyoke College
M
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 2,330enrollment
  • $35,782net price
  • 38%acceptance rate
  • 1350-1500SAT range
  • 31-33ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Brandeis University
B
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#12 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,302enrollment
  • $44,668net price
  • 35%acceptance rate
  • 1390-1530SAT range
  • 31-34ACT range
  • 3.84Avg GPA

Bentley University
B
Waltham, MA

Bentley University

Private 4 Year

1 reviews

#13 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,264enrollment
  • $43,858net price
  • 48%acceptance rate
  • 1250-1410SAT range
  • 29-32ACT range
  • 3.75Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Babson College
B
Wellesley, MA

Babson College

Private 4 Year

2 reviews

#14 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 3,943enrollment
  • $30,220net price
  • 20%acceptance rate
  • 1380-1500SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.79Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 3

Simmons University
S
Boston, MA

Simmons University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#15 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 5,053enrollment
  • $29,575net price
  • 66%acceptance rate
  • 1230-1390SAT range
  • 26-31ACT range
  • 3.87Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 1

Northeastern University
N
Boston, MA

Northeastern University

Private 4 Year

6 reviews

#16 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 31,159enrollment
  • $34,770net price
  • 6%acceptance rate
  • 1460-1550SAT range
  • 33-35ACT range
  • 3.91Estimated Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 1

Clark University
C
Worcester, MA

Clark University

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#17 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 4,124enrollment
  • $32,767net price
  • 42%acceptance rate
  • 1240-1400SAT range
  • 30-33ACT range
  • 3.69Avg GPA

Applications Due Jan 15

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
M
Boston, MA

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Private 4 Year

0 reviews

#18 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

  • 6,321enrollment
  • $37,182net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1080-1340SAT range
  • 23-33ACT range
  • 3.41Avg GPA