Best colleges Massachusetts

2023 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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#1 in Massachusetts | #17 in English nationally

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Economic score: 2.56

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $13,872

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

Payback: 3.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $43,842

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

EarningsPlus: + $8,556

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 4%
Graduation rate: 98%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#2 in Massachusetts | #23 in English nationally

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, Massachusetts

Economic score: 2.73

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $35,761

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

Payback: 4.4 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $59,114

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

EarningsPlus: + $22,207

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 43%
Graduation rate: 90%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#3 in Massachusetts | #48 in English nationally

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Economic score: 3.85

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $37,494

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

Payback: 5.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $52,671

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

EarningsPlus: + $17,036

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 11%
Graduation rate: 95%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#4 in Massachusetts | #50 in English nationally

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Economic score: 3.87

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $23,908

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

Payback: 5 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $45,061

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

EarningsPlus: + $10,102

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 16%
Graduation rate: 92%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#5 in Massachusetts | #79 in English nationally

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Economic score: 4.52

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $36,599

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

Payback: 6.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $49,145

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

EarningsPlus: + $13,543

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 19%
Graduation rate: 95%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#6 in Massachusetts | #91 in English nationally

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Economic score: 4.90

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $27,920

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

Payback: 5.9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $45,823

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

EarningsPlus: + $7,889

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 84%
Graduation rate: 82%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#7 in Massachusetts | #110 in English nationally

University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

Economic score: 5.26

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $20,050

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

Payback: 5.7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $43,774

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

EarningsPlus: + $3,244

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 92%
Graduation rate: 61%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#8 in Massachusetts | #112 in English nationally
Economic score: 5.28

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $22,038

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

Payback: 5.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $42,615

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

EarningsPlus: + $3,879

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 66%
Graduation rate: 82%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#9 in Massachusetts | #113 in English nationally

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts

Economic score: 5.30

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $23,497

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

Payback: 6.2 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $41,065

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

EarningsPlus: + $5,886

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 9%
Graduation rate: 96%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#10 in Massachusetts | #159 in English nationally

Gordon College

Wenham, Massachusetts

Economic score: 6.13

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $25,748

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

Payback: 7 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $41,684

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

EarningsPlus: + $5,241

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 77%
Graduation rate: 72%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#11 in Massachusetts | #163 in English nationally

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Economic score: 6.20

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $33,663

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

Payback: 7.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $43,886

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

EarningsPlus: + $8,077

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 39%
Graduation rate: 88%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#12 in Massachusetts | #185 in English nationally

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts

Economic score: 6.69

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $29,714

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

Payback: 8.3 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $44,234

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

EarningsPlus: + $8,681

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 18%
Graduation rate: 89%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#13 in Massachusetts | #218 in English nationally

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater, Massachusetts

Economic score: 7.68

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $18,951

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

Payback: 7.5 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,875

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

EarningsPlus: - $1,025

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 86%
Graduation rate: 65%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#14 in Massachusetts | #225 in English nationally

Amherst College

Amherst, Massachusetts

Economic score: 7.84

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $21,657

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

Payback: 8.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $36,173

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

EarningsPlus: + $1,191

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 9%
Graduation rate: 95%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#15 in Massachusetts | #238 in English nationally

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts

Economic score: 8.08

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

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Net cost: $30,395

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

Payback: 9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $39,118

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

EarningsPlus: + $3,869

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 19%
Graduation rate: 88%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#16 in Massachusetts | #241 in English nationally

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Economic score: 8.21

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $19,583

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

Payback: 7.9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $38,160

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

EarningsPlus: - $1,624

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 94%
Graduation rate: 64%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#17 in Massachusetts | #258 in English nationally

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

Economic score: 8.65

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $15,627

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

Payback: 7.9 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $34,741

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

EarningsPlus: - $3,243

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 91%
Graduation rate: 64%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#18 in Massachusetts | #261 in English nationally

Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Norton, Massachusetts

Economic score: 8.84

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $26,575

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

Payback: 9.1 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $37,883

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

EarningsPlus: + $1,211

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 82%
Graduation rate: 76%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#19 in Massachusetts | #277 in English nationally
Economic score: 9.48

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $20,079

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

Payback: 8.8 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $37,648

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

EarningsPlus: - $2,751

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 85%
Graduation rate: 68%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

#20 in Massachusetts | #319 in English nationally
Economic score: 12.02

The Economic Score is the combination of payback and earningsplus, and is how we determine a school’s rank. The lower the economic score the better. For an analysis of how we arrive at the economic score, and a description of our data sources, please visit our methodology page.

View school
Net cost: $17,752

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

Payback: 10.6 years

Payback measures how long it takes the average student to pay back the total cost of attending college with marginal earnings. Marginal earnings are the difference between what the average student would have earned before attending college and what they earn afterwards.

Earnings: $34,962

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

EarningsPlus: - $4,776

EarningsPlus compares student earnings after college against a benchmark that Degreechoices adjusts based on each school’s unique mix of academic programs and the in-state/out-of-state composition of the student body.

Admission rate: 79%
Graduation rate: 60%

Graduation rates below the school’s state average are shown in red. Schools with graduation rates in the bottom 25% nationally (48%) are not ranked and are displayed at the end of the ranking list.

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How long does it take me to repay a bachelor's degree in english language & lit in Massachusetts?

Years

9.8 years

The cost of the average bachelor's degree in english language & lit in Massachusetts is covered by the new earnings of graduates in 9.8 years.

How much do graduates with bachelor's degree in english language & lit earn in Massachusetts?

Salary

$40,347

The median bachelor's degree in english language & lit graduate earns $40,347 3 years after graduating.

How much does a bachelor's degree in english language & lit cost in Massachusetts?

Net cost

$24,991

The average annual cost of a bachelor's degree in english language & lit is $24,991. This is the net cost and considers only students that have received Title IV funds.