Top Rated Massachusetts Public Colleges

The Best Public Colleges in Massachusetts for 2025

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


11 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

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

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

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

Framingham State University
F
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University

Public 4 Year

1 reviews

#7 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,028enrollment
  • $16,640net price
  • 85%acceptance rate
  • 1070-1255SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.07Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Westfield State University
W
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#8 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 4,555enrollment
  • $17,723net price
  • 81%acceptance rate
  • 980-1190SAT range
  • 17-22ACT range
  • 3.3Avg GPA

Applications Due Mar 1

Fitchburg State University
F
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#9 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,296enrollment
  • $15,820net price
  • 90%acceptance rate
  • 1030-1220SAT range
  • 19-25ACT range
  • 3.29Avg GPA

Bridgewater State University
B
Bridgewater, MA

Bridgewater State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#10 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 9,550enrollment
  • $16,230net price
  • 89%acceptance rate
  • 1040-1230SAT range
  • 18-27ACT range
  • 3.21Avg GPA

Applications Due Feb 15

Salem State University
S
Salem, MA

Salem State University

Public 4 Year

0 reviews

#11 Best Public Universities in Massachusetts

  • 6,239enrollment
  • $19,324net price
  • 96%acceptance rate
  • 990-1160SAT range
  • -ACT range
  • 3.17Avg GPA

Applications Due Jun 1