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2023 Best Schools in Massachusetts

57 Schools Ranked
$50,086 Average Earnings
$20,665 Avg Student Debt

There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Alternatively, you may choose a trade school or bootcamp that prepares you to enter the workforce with knowledge in a specific field.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This report analyzed 57 schools in Massachusetts to see which ones offered the best programs for students.

View our full ranking methodology.

Top Schools in Massachusetts

Learn more about these excellent schools below:

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
$94,282 Average Earnings
$12,518 Avg Student Debt

Our analysis found Massachusetts Institute of Technology to be the best school for students in Massachusetts.

Degree recipients from MIT accumulate an average of $12,518 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $627. Once they receive their degree, MIT graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $94,282 during the early year of their career.

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#2

Williams College

Williamstown, Massachusetts
$51,114 Average Earnings
$13,557 Avg Student Debt

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Williams College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Schools in Massachusetts list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $13,557 in student loans.After graduating from Williams, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,114 during the early years of their career.

Full Williams College Report

#3

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
$78,371 Average Earnings
$26,098 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Harvard University is a great place for students.

On average, students take out $26,098 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from Harvard, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $78,371 during the early years of their career.

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#4

Wellesley College

Wellesley, Massachusetts
$46,135 Average Earnings
$11,578 Avg Student Debt

A rank of #4 on this year’s list means Wellesley College is a great place for students.

Degree recipients from Wellesley accumulate an average of $11,578 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, Wellesley graduates make an average of $46,135 annually.

Read full report on Wellesley College

#5

College of the Holy Cross

Worcester, Massachusetts
$42,642 Average Earnings
$22,694 Avg Student Debt

The excellent programs at College of the Holy Cross helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best schools in Massachusetts.

Degree recipients from Holy Cross accumulate an average of $22,694 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $437, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Holy Cross, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,642 during the early years of their career.

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#6

Bentley University

Waltham, Massachusetts
$70,654 Average Earnings
$22,628 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #6, Bentley University did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,628 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $529, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Bentley, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $70,654 during the early years of their career.

Full Bentley University Report

#7

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
$58,524 Average Earnings
$15,823 Avg Student Debt

Tufts University landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $15,823 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $704 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Tufts graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,524 during the early year of their career.

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#8

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
$57,535 Average Earnings
$15,477 Avg Student Debt

Boston College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Massachusetts ranking.

Degree recipients from Boston College accumulate an average of $15,477 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $639.After graduating from Boston College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $57,535 during the early years of their career.

Full Boston College Report

#9

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts
$39,456 Average Earnings
$12,931 Avg Student Debt

Bunker Hill Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #9 on the list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,931 in student loans. During the early years of their career, BHCC graduates make an average of $39,456 annually.

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#10

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
$55,473 Average Earnings
$22,561 Avg Student Debt

Boston University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Schools in Massachusetts list.

On average, students take out $22,561 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $630, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Boston U graduates make an average of $55,473 annually.

Read full report on Boston University

#11

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, Massachusetts
$74,666 Average Earnings
$23,356 Avg Student Debt

Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #11 on this year’s Best Schools in Massachusetts list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,356 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $532. Once they receive their degree, WPI graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $74,666 during the early year of their career.

Full Worcester Polytechnic Institute Report

#12

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
$63,894 Average Earnings
$25,731 Avg Student Debt

Northeastern University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Schools in Massachusetts list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,731 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $462. Once they receive their degree, Northeastern graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $63,894 during the early year of their career.

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#13

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
$45,920 Average Earnings

Brandeis University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Massachusetts ranking.

If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $731, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Brandeis graduates make an average of $45,920 annually.

Read full report on Brandeis University

#14

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts
$43,092 Average Earnings
$23,549 Avg Student Debt

Stonehill College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Massachusetts ranking.

Degree recipients from Stonehill accumulate an average of $23,549 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $619. Once they receive their degree, Stonehill graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,092 during the early year of their career.

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#15

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts
$42,725 Average Earnings
$12,881 Avg Student Debt

Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,881 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MassBay Community College graduates make an average of $42,725 annually.

Full Massachusetts Bay Community College Report

#16

Emerson College

Boston, Massachusetts
$38,901 Average Earnings
$22,863 Avg Student Debt

Emerson College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Schools in Massachusetts list.

On average, students take out $22,863 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $882. Once they receive their degree, Emerson graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,901 during the early year of their career.

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#17

Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, Massachusetts
$39,608 Average Earnings
$12,036 Avg Student Debt

Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Schools in Massachusetts list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,036 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MWCC graduates make an average of $39,608 annually.

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#18

North Shore Community College

Danvers, Massachusetts
$42,262 Average Earnings
$14,976 Avg Student Debt

With a ranking of #18, North Shore Community College did quite well on this year’s best schools for students working.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,976 in student loans.After graduating from North Shore Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $42,262 during the early years of their career.

Read full report on North Shore Community College

#19

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts
$35,173 Average Earnings
$20,134 Avg Student Debt

Smith College landed the #19 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $20,134 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Smith graduates make an average of $35,173 annually.

Full Smith College Report

#20

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, Massachusetts
$42,511 Average Earnings
$12,965 Avg Student Debt

Middlesex Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #20 on the list.

On average, students take out $12,965 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Middlesex Community College graduates make an average of $42,511 annually.

Full Middlesex Community College Report

$63,021 Average Earnings
$26,193 Avg Student Debt

Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network ranked #21 on this year’s Best Schools in Massachusetts list.

By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,193 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $476, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network graduates make an average of $63,021 annually.

Full Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network Report

#22

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts
$37,255 Average Earnings
$10,871 Avg Student Debt

Springfield Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best places for students. It came in at #22 on the list.

Degree recipients from STCC accumulate an average of $10,871 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, STCC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $37,255 during the early year of their career.

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#23

Northern Essex Community College

Haverhill, Massachusetts
$39,221 Average Earnings
$14,951 Avg Student Debt

Northern Essex Community College landed the #23 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

Degree recipients from NECC accumulate an average of $14,951 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, NECC graduates make an average of $39,221 annually.

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#24

Wentworth Institute of Technology

Boston, Massachusetts
$67,892 Average Earnings
$25,513 Avg Student Debt

Wentworth Institute of Technology landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best programs.

On average, students take out $25,513 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $578.After graduating from WIT, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $67,892 during the early years of their career.

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#25

Mount Holyoke College

South Hadley, Massachusetts
$36,591 Average Earnings
$19,948 Avg Student Debt

Mount Holyoke College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Schools in Massachusetts ranking.

Degree recipients from Mt. Holyoke accumulate an average of $19,948 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Mt. Holyoke, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $36,591 during the early years of their career.

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View Best Schools Nationwide >

Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • Read more about our ranking methodology.
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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