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Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in Massachusetts

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2023 Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in Massachusetts

72 Schools Ranked

When it comes to higher education, there are a lot of options for students. 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. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.

The Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 72 schools in Massachusetts to see which master's degree programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.

Learn more about these popular schools below:

#1

Boston University

Boston, Massachusetts
5,175 Total Awards
$59,418 Average Tuition & Fees

Our analysis found Boston University to be the most popular school for students who want to pursue a master’s degree in Massachusetts. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 5,175 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

Boston U does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In 2019-2020 about 23% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Boston University Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
4,670 Total Awards
$52,170 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 4,670 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.

One thing to take note of is that Harvard does offer online graduate classes in some areas. In fact, around 96% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Harvard University

#3

Northeastern University

Boston, Massachusetts
3,193 Total Awards
$26,095 Average Tuition & Fees

A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Northeastern University is a great place for students working on their master’s degree. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,193 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Northeastern does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. During the 2019-2020 year, about 29% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Northeastern University Report

2,623 Total Awards
$23,510 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 72 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network landed the # 4 spot on the list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 2,623 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 54% were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. In 2019-2020 about 66% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#5

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
1,803 Total Awards
$58,967 Average Tuition & Fees

Out of the 72 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the # 5 spot on the list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1,803 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 39% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, MIT is an excellent choice, since graduate classes are offered online.

Read full report on Massachusetts Institute of Technology

#6

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts
1,773 Total Awards
$21,546 Average Tuition & Fees

Simmons University landed the #6 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. Simmons is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,773 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 89% of those degree recipients were women.

Since the graduate programs at Simmons are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

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#7

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts
1,697 Total Awards
$16,251 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #7 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. UMass Amherst is a large public school situated in Amherst, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,697 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 46% of those degree recipients were women.

Depending on your major, you may be able to take online graduate classes at UMass Amherst. In fact, around 82% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on University of Massachusetts Amherst

#8

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts
1,459 Total Awards
$55,216 Average Tuition & Fees

Tufts University ranked #8 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. Tufts is located in Medford, Massachusetts and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,459 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 59% of those degree recipients were women.

One thing to take note of is that Tufts does offer online graduate classes in some areas. During the 2019-2020 year, about 88% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Read full report on Tufts University

#9

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
1,437 Total Awards
$32,722 Average Tuition & Fees

Boston College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #9 on the list. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,437 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.

Boston College does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. During the 2019-2020 year, about 66% of the graduate students at the school took at least one online course.

Full Boston College Report

#10

University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts
1,192 Total Awards
$15,210 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. UMass Lowell is a public institution located in Lowell, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 1,192 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at UMass Lowell. In fact, around 99% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#11

Hult International Business School

Cambridge, Massachusetts
1,159 Total Awards
$43,577 Average Tuition & Fees

Hult International Business School ranked #11 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,159 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 45% were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since Hult International Business School does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. In 2019-2020 about 82% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#12

Fitchburg State University

Fitchburg, Massachusetts
901 Total Awards
$6,012 Average Tuition & Fees

Fitchburg State University landed the #12 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. Fitchburg State University is a medium-sized public school located in Fitchburg, Massachusetts that handed out 901 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.

Online graduate courses are available at Fitchburg State, but you will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your field of interest. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 89% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Fitchburg State University Report

#13

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts
859 Total Awards
$53,618 Average Tuition & Fees

Brandeis University ranked #13 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 859 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 58% of those degree recipients were women.

Brandeis does offer online graduate classes for certain degree levels. In fact, around 100% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Brandeis University

#14

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts
833 Total Awards
$18,938 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, University of Massachusetts - Boston did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the fairly large public school awarded 833 diplomas to qualifed master’s degree students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 63% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at UMass Boston. In 2019-2020 about 100% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Read More…

#15

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Worcester, Massachusetts
742 Total Awards
$29,040 Average Tuition & Fees

Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular master’s degree programs. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 742 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 30% were women.

WPI does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 37% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Full Worcester Polytechnic Institute Report

#16

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts
684 Total Awards
$47,730 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #16, Clark University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Clark University is a small private not-for-profit school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 684 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Clark. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 98% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Clark University Report

#17

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts
663 Total Awards
$32,444 Average Tuition & Fees

Merrimack College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #17 on the list. Merrimack is located in North Andover, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 663 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 69% were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Merrimack. In 2019-2020 about 91% of the graduate students at the school chose to take one or more online courses.

Full Merrimack College Report

#18

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
648 Total Awards
$19,050 Average Tuition & Fees

Lesley University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #18 on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out master’s degrees to 648 students in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 85% were women.

Lesley is one of the schools on our list that is primarily online. Each graduate student at the school took at least one class online.

Full Lesley University Report

643 Total Awards
$24,060 Average Tuition & Fees

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ranked #19 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. MCPHS University is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 643 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Around 75% of those degree recipients were women.

If you are interested in distance education, be sure to check with the school since MCPHS University does offer online graduate classes for certain majors. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 45% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Full Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Report

#20

Cambridge College

Boston, Massachusetts
629 Total Awards

With a ranking of #20, Cambridge College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Cambridge College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 629 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 80% of those degree recipients were women.

You may have the opportunity to take online graduate classes at Cambridge College. Of all the graduate students enrolled at the school during the 2019-2020 academic year, around 33% took at least some of their classes online.

Full Cambridge College Report

#21

Suffolk University

Boston, Massachusetts
584 Total Awards
$39,813 Average Tuition & Fees

Suffolk University ranked #21 on this year’s Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 584 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Around 61% of those degree recipients were women.

Suffolk does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 6% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#22

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts
573 Total Awards

With a ranking of #22, Endicott College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Endicott is located in Beverly, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 573 master’s degrees to qualified students.

Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.

Some students may be able to take online graduate classes at Endicott. To give an idea of how popular online courses are at the school, 84% of graduates took at least one course online in 2019-2020.

Read full report on Endicott College

#23

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts
541 Total Awards

Bay Path University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students to get a master’s degree. It came in at #23 on the list. Located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 541 master’s degree awards in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 88% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Bay Path are online, the school is an excellent choice for graduate students who need more flexibility than what is offered at some other schools.

Full Bay Path University Report

#24

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts
509 Total Awards
$12,717 Average Tuition & Fees

American International College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Master’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts ranking. AIC is a private not-for-profit institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 509 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Around 74% of those degree recipients were women.

AIC does have options available for those who want to take online graduate classes. You will need to check with the school to see if they are available for your specific major. In fact, around 14% of the graduate population registered for at least one online class in 2019-2020.

Read More…

#25

Bentley University

Waltham, Massachusetts
499 Total Awards

With a ranking of #25, Bentley University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working on their master’s degree. Bentley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 499 master’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Of those students who received their degree, 51% were women.

Since the graduate programs at Bentley are primarily online school, so it is a great choice for returning adults and students who work full time.

Full Bentley University Report

Most Popular Master's Degree Schools in the New England Region

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Notes and References

Footnotes

*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.

References

  • 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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