Best Colleges in Massachusetts

Whether you know Massachusetts as “The Pilgrim State,” “The Old Colony State,” or as “The Baked Bean State,” it’s embedded in American history as the location of the first colony in New England. Massachusetts is also home to the oldest institution of higher education in the US, Harvard University, which was founded in 1636. Despite being one of the smallest states in the US, there are more than 80 colleges in Massachusetts, largely public or private not-for-profit institutions. This New England state has cold winters and warm summers, and its primary industries are Life Sciences, Finance, Information Technology, and Manufacturing. Top attractions are Martha’s Vineyard, the Freedom Trail, and Cape Cod.

How Were the Top Schools in Massachusetts Chosen?

Appily determines “Best Colleges” based on publicly-available information from the US Department of Education. Several factors include, but are not limited to, data about admitted students’ academic calibers, students’ expected career outcomes after graduation, and colleges’ investments toward making their institution accessible to all students.

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Wheaton College (Massachusetts)

Wheaton College is a 4-year, coeducational college located halfway between Boston and Providence in Norton, Massachusetts. Students can choose between more than 100 majors and minors, all of which are influenced by the requirements-light Compass...

“…

Wheaton is a small, intensive liberal arts college in Norton, MA. While the town of Norton isn't a great college town and the campus is small, Wheaton has a great campus community with active and engaged students, faculty, and staff. Classes are...

” – Nicholas from Loudonville, NY
Stonehill College

Founded by the Congregation of the Holy Cross, Stonehill College is a Catholic liberal arts college in southeast Massachusetts. Stonehill confers bachelor’s degrees in over 80 academic programs and all students are required to participate in a...

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At Stonehill, I feel as though I am learning a lot. I am currently a biology major. My classes are challenging although they are doable. There are only 2,500 students in my school which leads to an average classroom size of 25. My professors all...

” – Nina from Mount Sinai, NY
Simmons University

Simmons University is a private, liberal arts university located in Boston, Massachusetts. Simmons offers a women’s undergraduate education in 60+ majors and programs, as well as four graduate schools for its co-ed graduate population. The university...

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My classes at Simmons have proved to be exciting and stimulating, and there are also a lot of social opportunities at Simmons. This includes frequent events such as plays, movie nights, sporting events, city outings, special guests and more. Not to...

” – Anne from Philadelphia
University of Massachusetts-Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is the second largest public university in the state and maintains six colleges that collectively offer more than 120 majors. Programs at UMass Lowell span and interconnect the disciplines of business, education...

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UMass Lowell won't just teach you about writing, math, and science- it takes you beyond to learn about yourself. One must learn to manage time well with so many campus activities. The school also has a great amount of diversity, which helps students...

” – Jessica from Bradford, MA
Endicott College

Endicott College is a private, four-year college located on Boston’s North Shore. With three private beaches, Endicott’s oceanfront campus, in Beverly, Mass., draws a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students from 30 states and 38...

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Endicott's professors WANT you to succeed. None of your classes will have more than 25 students, so your teacher knows your name. They all have office hours to make themselves available to you for some extra help or whatever you need to stay on top...

” – Kaila from Tewksbury, MA
Bay Path University

Bay Path University is an all-female undergraduate univeresity in southern Massachusetts with co-educational programs at the graduate level. Bay Path confers bachelor’s degrees in 58 programs of study and also operates the first all-female online...

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GREAT academics with a handful of amazing professors i.e. Professor Semprebon, Professor Drewniak, Professor Bacon..Forensic Science major WHOOP WHOOP=).

” – Brianna from Elmont, NY
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Assumption College is a private institution in Worcester, Massachusetts, founded by the Augustinians of the Assumption. It offers a liberal arts curriculum grounded in Catholic tradition and is a member of both the International Federation of...

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You might think that all you could learn at a Liberal Arts College is art appreciation and how to analyze someone. Assumption College does offer that and much more. At first, I did not want to go here, my mother encouraged me to, but then I got to...

” – Giovanna from Billerica, MA
Emmanuel College

Emmanuel College is a 4-year, private Catholic liberal arts and sciences college in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1919 as the first Catholic college in the city of Boston, Emmanuel has grown to be a strong institution...

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The professors really make an effort to make sure students understand the material. The small student-to-faculty ratio allows for better comprehension and focused learning.

” – Sarah from East Hartford, CT
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The New England Conservatory of Music is a private, musical education institution established in Boston, Massachusetts. As the oldest school of music in the country, as well as one of the most distinguished, NEC offers undergraduate and graduate...

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The Conservatory is an inspirational environment that fosters incredible talent without the cut-throat aura that most top music schools come with. As a top Music school in the world, the professors come from near and far with a level of expertise...

” – Corey from Boston, MA
Berklee College of Music

The Berklee College of Music is a school of the musical and performing arts in Boston and one of the largest contemporary music colleges in the world. Berklee consists of the College of Music and the Boston Conservatory at Berklee conferring bachelor...

“…

about the music business

” – Lynne from Suisun City, CA
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Founded in 1856, Mars Hill University is a 4-year Christian liberal arts college in western North Carolina and the region’s oldest institution of higher learning operating on its original site. Nestled among the mountains, Mars Hill confers bachelor...

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The classes are small so the professors really pay attention to you and help you out.

” – Libby from MA
Merrimack College

One of the fastest-growing educational institutions in the country, Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 36 states and 42 countries. Over 100+ academic programs...

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The Classes are great. The Professors are always there for you.

” – PRESTON from Wareham, MA
Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a 4-year college offering maritime-related degrees. MMA students are required to wear regimental-style uniforms in accordance with the Regiment of Cadets. The Academy operates the TS Kennedy, on which students...

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They drill it everything you need to know into you.

” – Wolfgang
Worcester State University

Founded in 1874, Worcester State University is a liberal arts and sciences institution situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. The campus includes wooded areas and wetlands. Worcester offers curriculum oriented around a teamwork and problem solving...

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worcester state university offers a great education for a great price. college is very expensive and its nice to know i wont be even close to $100,000 in debt upon graduation (especially since i want to obtain a masters degree later on). commuting...

” – Kayla from Grafton, MA
Gordon College

Gordon College is a nondenominational Christian liberal arts college in Wenham, Massachusetts. Gordon offers undergraduate degrees in 30 academic majors as well as the new Center for Career and Connection Institute to help students create life plans...

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Being at a Christian Liberal Arts school allows me to explore a wide variety of issues regarding faith and practice, while integrating course material in daily life.

” – Teresa from Lake Saint Louis, MO
Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Founded in 1873, Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) is the first freestanding public college of art and design in the country and the first to grant a degree. Located in Boston’s hub of arts and culture along the Avenue of the Arts...

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I am learned so much about art and about myself as an artist. MassArt starts with a studio foundation year which helps students sharpen their skills and find out what they want to do (you don't have to declare your major untill the second semester)...

” – Deanna from Newington, CT
Wentworth Institute of Technology

Wentworth Institute of Technology is 4-year college in Boston, Massachusetts. Wentworth is comprised of four colleges: Architecture, Design, and Construction Management; Arts and Sciences; Engineering and Computer Science; and Professional and...

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The classes are a constant challenge. Everyday is a day full of knowledge.

” – Danielle from Atkinson, NH
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Originally founded as a satellite campus of Northeastern University, Western New England University is a 4-year private school in south central Massachusetts. Western New England confers bachelor’s degrees in over 45 academic majors and also houses...

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Not only is the campus beautiful, but the students and faculty are welcoming and very friendly. It is a great school, very safe, and gives all students the opportunity to get involved. Professors and coaches are helpful and extremely inviting.

” – Alona from Fair Lawn, NJ
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth

Originally founded as a pair of state-chartered textile schools, the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth is a public school in southeast Massachusetts and a campus of the UMass system. UMass Dartmouth is home to seven colleges and schools...

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I am only a freshman here and I love it already! Academically I enjoy attending my classes. I have many friends who moan and groan about going to class and I am EAGER to do so here! I have 4 classes now in lecture halls of about 200 students but the...

” – female from Brockton, MA
University of Massachusetts-Boston

The University of Massachusetts Boston is a four-year public research institution and part of the UMass system. We are defined by our deep connection to the City of Boston, our remarkably diverse student body, our focus on ground-breaking research...

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I love the classes and my teachers. Its really cool to be in such a diverse environment.

” – Emily