Five of the Best Colleges in MA

Did you know that some of the top-ranked universities in the nation are located right here in Massachusetts? Read on to find out more about five of the best colleges in the state.

1. Harvard University 

AT A GLANCE
Location: Cambridge
Tuition: $40,418
Campus: Midsize/city

Established in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, and is considered one of the most prestigious in the nation. Its 21,000 students pick from more than 200 fields of study. Harvard boasts the largest academic library in the world and has educated 47 Nobel Laureates, 48 Pulitzer Prize winners, and 32 heads of state. Only about 5% of applicants are accepted. A student says, “Harvard comes with lots and lots of pressure, but it’s still the best school in the world. I spent the best 4 years of my life there.”

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

AT A GLANCE
Location: Cambridge
Tuition: $44,720
Campus: Midsize/city

MIT is known the world over for its rigorous academic program. More than half of the 11,000 students enrolled there are grad students, and 33% of learners attend tuition-free. Despite being renowned as a serious institute of higher learning, the school is also famous for its good sense of humor. A student says, “MIT really offers a wide range of cultures within the school so that every student can feel like they are at home. It is an amazing school with endless opportunities, a great location, and extremely interesting and intelligent people.”

3. Amherst College 

AT A GLANCE
Location: Amherst
Tuition: $47,720
Campus: Large/suburb

This small liberal arts college has 1,800 students from around the world, and its 1,000-acre campus is almost half wildlife sanctuary. Amherst has a no-loan policy for financial aid recipients. The school is part of the Five College Consortium, giving students access to more than 6,000 courses in a wide variety of majors. A student says, “This is a classic New England campus. The professors really care about teaching, and the workload is tough but reasonable, even in the sciences. I’m really happy here.”

4. Williams College 

AT A GLANCE
Location: Williamstown
Tuition: $49,780
Campus: Large/rural

Williams, established in 1793, is a small liberal arts school with a lovely campus in the Berkshires community. Its 2,000 students select from 36 majors, and more than 96% of students participate in some sort of extracurricular activity. The most popular career courses for William alumni are management, education, law, and healthcare. A student says, “I love Williams! There’s a reason it’s #1. Such an amazing place, you really can’t go wrong here. The professors really care about their students.”

5. Wellesley College 

AT A GLANCE
Location: Wellesley
Tuition: $44,802
Campus: Large/suburb

The 2,300 students who attend this women’s-only university have access to a quiet, 500-acre campus conveniently located just 12 miles from Boston. The school offers 56 majors through its own campus, and partners with four other schools to offer even more academic opportunities. The school’s alumni arm is considered one of the most powerful women’s networks in the world. A student says, “Wellesley is the kind of place you immediately fall in love with. Yes, it’s challenging, but there are so many resources available that it’s easy to find the help you need. The campus is just stunning. You’ll never want to leave.”

Click here for more information on these colleges, as well as the rankings of many more Massachusetts universities. Click here for a side-by-side comparison of these five schools. Click here for more feedback from real college students.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services