2023 Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts
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 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 146 schools in Massachusetts to see which programs were the most popular for students. To create this ranking we looked at how many students graduated from each school on the list.
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Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts
Learn more about these popular schools below:
Our analysis found Boston University to be the most popular school for students in Massachusetts. This large private not-for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 11,580 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,561 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $630, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Boston U graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $55,473 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 60% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the large private not-for-profit school handed out 9,623 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,098 in student loans. During the early years of their career, Harvard graduates make an average of $78,371 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 52% were women.
You’ll be in good company if you attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts list. UMass Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9,582 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $23,018 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $288. Once they receive their degree, UMass Amherst graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,385 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 53% were women.
Out of the 146 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Northeastern University landed the # 4 spot on the list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the large private not-for-profit school awarded 8,157 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Northeastern accumulate an average of $25,731 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 $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. Around 48% of those degree recipients were women.
A rank of #5 on this year’s list means Boston College is a great place for students. Boston College is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. It awarded 5,001 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $15,477 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $639 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Boston College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $57,535 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 55% were women.
With a ranking of #6, University of Massachusetts - Lowell did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. University of Massachusetts - Lowell is a fairly large public school located in Lowell, Massachusetts that handed out 4,933 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,600 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $171 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMass Lowell graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $56,705 during the early year of their career. Around 42% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #7, Tufts University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Located in Medford, Massachusetts, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 4,142 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $15,823 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $704, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Tufts, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $58,524 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
University of Massachusetts - Boston came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. University of Massachusetts - Boston is a fairly large public school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 3,924 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,776 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $77, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMass Boston graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $48,855 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 61% were women.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked #9 on this year’s Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts list. This fairly large private not-for-profit school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 3,620 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $12,518 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $627, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, MIT graduates make an average of $94,282 annually. Around 39% of those degree recipients were women.
Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 3,364 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network accumulate an average of $26,193 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $476, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $63,021 during the early year of their career. Around 57% of those degree recipients were women.
Bridgewater State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, and it awarded 2,738 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Bridgewater State accumulate an average of $26,016 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 $156. During the early years of their career, Bridgewater State graduates make an average of $41,480 annually. Of those students who received their degree, 66% were women.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #12 on the list. Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 2,520 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $29,350 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $785, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from MCPHS University, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $69,235 during the early years of their career. Around 72% of those degree recipients were women.
Simmons University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This medium-sized private not-for-profit school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 2,417 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $24,691 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $733 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Simmons, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $55,531 during the early years of their career. Around 91% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #14, Brandeis University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Waltham, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,331 students in 2020-2021.
Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $731 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Brandeis graduates make an average of $45,920 annually. Around 60% of those degree recipients were women.
Suffolk University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. Suffolk University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 2,162 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Suffolk accumulate an average of $25,166 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 $414.After graduating from Suffolk, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $51,597 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 57% were women.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out degrees to 2,043 students in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,356 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $532. During the early years of their career, WPI graduates make an average of $74,666 annually. Around 38% of those degree recipients were women.
Salem State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. This medium-sized public school is located in Salem, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1,972 degrees in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Salem State accumulate an average of $26,367 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 $202. During the early years of their career, Salem State graduates make an average of $43,394 annually. Around 70% of those degree recipients were women.
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth landed the #18 spot in the 2023 rankings for the most popular programs. UMass Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,963 degrees to qualified students.
Degree recipients from UMass Dartmouth accumulate an average of $26,727 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $198 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, UMass Dartmouth graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $47,962 during the early year of their career. Around 52% of those degree recipients were women.
With a ranking of #19, Fitchburg State University did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Fitchburg State is a medium-sized public school situated in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,842 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $25,315 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $130 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Fitchburg State graduates make an average of $41,148 annually. Around 64% of those degree recipients were women.
Berklee College of Music did quite well in this year’s ranking of the most popular places for students. It came in at #20 on the list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, the medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 1,680 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Degree recipients from Berklee College of Music accumulate an average of $27,195 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 $1,047. Once they receive their degree, Berklee College of Music graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $21,941 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 42% were women.
Bentley University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Bentley is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,676 degrees in 2020-2021.
By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,628 in student loans. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $529 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Bentley graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $70,654 during the early year of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 47% were women.
With a ranking of #22, Merrimack College did quite well on this year’s most popular schools for students working. Merrimack is a private not-for-profit institution located in North Andover, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,577 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $23,211 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $607, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Merrimack graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $45,897 during the early year of their career. Around 63% of those degree recipients were women.
Worcester State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Worcester State is a public institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,511 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,154 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $143 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Worcester State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,546 during the early years of their career. Of those students who received their degree, 71% were women.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Bunker Hill Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Boston, Massachusetts that handed out 1,471 degrees in 2020-2021.
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. Of those students who received their degree, 62% were women.
Emerson College came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Most Popular Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Emerson is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,463 degrees in 2020-2021.
On average, students take out $22,863 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $882, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Emerson graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $38,901 during the early year of their career. Around 66% of those degree recipients were women.
Most Popular Schools in the New England Region
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Honorable Mentions
These schools also performed well in our most popular schools ranking:
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Westfield State University | Westfield, MA |
| 27 | Clark University | Worcester, MA |
| 28 | Endicott College | Beverly, MA |
| 29 | Hult International Business School | Cambridge, MA |
| 30 | Bristol Community College | Fall River, MA |
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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