Colleges in Massachusetts: Explore, Compare & Apply

Planning to apply to universities and colleges in Massachusetts and want to understand if it's a good decision? Check out this article and understand everything about the top colleges in Massachusetts, the types of colleges available, the admission process, costs and the opportunities for international students.

Studying in USA across colleges in Massachusetts can bring in different prospects for international students. Massachusetts is home to 80 universities and colleges, along with two major Ivy League. While admissions can be tough in colleges in Massachusetts, the returns in future are any day better for international students. Read on for all the major details about the colleges in Massachusetts. 

Why Study at Top Colleges in Massachusetts?

International students aiming to study at the colleges in Massachusetts can have different reasons. Massachusetts is a well-known state in the US, which houses around 80 colleges and is known for its top-ranking colleges. Apart from this the other reasons to study at colleges in Massachusetts are as follows: 

• Massachusetts is a big economy and recorded 4.8% growth in 2023 (YoY). Thus, there are ample opportunities for higher education and career after studying at Massachusetts colleges.
• Since STEM courses are widely opted in the USA, Massachusetts has recorded 40% employment in STEM-related areas. Thus, those with a STEM degree can thrive better in Massachusetts in comparison to other US states. 
• Those interested in areas of study in biotechnology, finance and engineering can study at the colleges of Massachusetts.
• The median wage is higher in Massachusetts in comparison to other US states, thus, salaries are lucrative in Massachusetts. Thus, this is another reason to study at colleges in Massachusetts.
• Finally, colleges in Massachusetts hold great value for their research, so those interested in pursuing a doctoral degree can also think of applying to Massachusetts colleges.

List of 10 Best Colleges in Massachusetts

Based on top university rankings in USA, the best colleges in Massachusetts based on global and national rankings are as follows:

There are other colleges and universities in Massachusetts that international students can consider for admission, irrespective of their ranking positions.

Types of Colleges in Massachusetts 

Since there are 80 universities and colleges in Massachusetts, each of them has something unique to offer. While some are public universities which are nationally recognised, others are private universities. Let us look in detail at the types of colleges in Massachusetts.

Public vs Private Colleges in Massachusetts

Studying at state-owned universities and colleges in Massachusetts can prove beneficial for international students financially and based on opportunity availability. Whereas, the private colleges in Massachusetts can be heavy on the pocket. Admission to any of these colleges and universities in Massachusetts can be a difficult task. Some of the public and private colleges in Massachusetts include:

While private universities and colleges in Massachusetts offer various academic programs and financial aid, the cost of studying may be slightly higher than usual. Thus, applicants should choose their college for study wisely in Massachusetts. 

Community Colleges vs Specialized Colleges in Massachusetts

Students who need to take up pathway programs to enrol in a college in Massachusetts can opt for any of the community colleges. Apart from this, Massachusetts is also home to some of the specialized colleges as well. Here is a brief comparison between the two types of colleges in Massachusetts:  

Community colleges in Massachusetts may offer certificate and pathway programs to international students, post which they can transfer to a bigger university or college in Massachusetts. The applicants will have to check if they meet the requirements for higher education and if they need to take up pathway programs. 

Ivy League Colleges in Massachusetts 

Massachusetts is home to two major Ivy League schools and they are Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These two Ivy Leagues are top ranked, popular and known for their tough admissions with low acceptance rates. Some common pointers about Harvard and MIT are as follows:

• Both Harvard and MIT are private universities in Massachusetts.
• MIT and Harvard offer some of the top-ranked STEM courses in USA. However, Harvard is also known for its liberal arts courses. 
• Those graduating with a degree from either MIT or Harvard are guaranteed to get a high-paying job.
• Researchers at MIT and Harvard have developed theories and findings around topics like AI, cancer, global warming, climate change and other areas of study.
• Both MIT and Harvard have low acceptance rates in single digits. 
• MIT's acceptance rate for the class of 2027 was reportedly 4.8%.
• Harvard University's acceptance rate was 3.4% for the class of 2027.
• Admissions at MIT and admissions at Harvard are tough and very competitive.
• MBA at Sloan and MBA at HBS are some of the top-ranked courses globally. 

Thus, these two colleges in Massachusetts are the toughest colleges to get into. But they bring good ROI and career opportunities once they graduate from these universities in Massachusetts. 

How to Choose the Right College in Massachusetts?

The key to choosing the right college to study in Massachusetts is based on different parameters and they are discussed in the following sections.

Academic Programs at Colleges in Massachusetts

Shortlisting academic programs to study across colleges in Massachusetts can be quite a task. The applicants should begin researching the programs that interest them and consequently check their eligibility, costs, financial aid and admission process. Some of the popular courses offered across universities and colleges in Massachusetts are as follows:

• MBA (some of the best business schools in Massachusetts include - Harvard, MIT, Boston University, and others)
• MS in Computer Science, Biological Sciences, Computer & Information and many others. (MIT, Harvard, UMass Boston/Amherst)
• Engineering courses across different specializations of - Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology and others.
• Architecture & Planning (MIT)
• Humanities & Social Sciences (Harvard)

All colleges in Massachusetts have popular courses in some or the other field to offer its domestic and international students. Thus, students who plan to study in Massachusetts for higher education can shortlist universities accordingly.  

Cost of Studying in Colleges of Massachusetts

The cost of studying at the universities and colleges in Massachusetts may vary based on public or private universities and colleges. Here is a brief analysis on how much an international student will have to spend to study different levels of study in Massachusetts:

The starting range of undergraduate courses offered at public universities and colleges of Massachusetts is INR 33 lakhs, whereas, the starting range for private universities is INR 41 lakhs. Similarly, the costs of courses offered at the PG level are also higher at the private universities of Massachusetts in comparison to public universities. 

These are just the costs of studying across various colleges in Massachusetts, there is an additional cost of living also, which is to be taken into consideration before applying to universities in Massachusetts. 

Admission Requirements at Colleges in Massachusetts

While the application process to apply in universities in USA is similar, the universities may require an application from undergrads from Coalition or Common Application portals. PG admission applications are accepted through the university or college website only. Some common admission requirements to apply at universities and colleges in Massachusetts are as follows:

• High school scores for those applying for UG courses
• GPA score of 3.0 and above on a 4.0 point scale (for PG applicants) - best colleges in Massachusetts may require a higher GPA also
• Transcripts and degrees
• Standardized test scores:
• SAT or ACT (UG) and they might be optional for submission
• GRE or GMAT (PG)
• English language proficiency test scores of:
• TOEFL
• IELTS
• PTE
• Admission essays (may be required for both levels of study)
• Statement of purpose 
• 2-3 letters of recommendation 
• Updated resume (for work experience level)
• Financial documents

There may be additional requirements which will vary with each of the universities or colleges applied to in Massachusetts as international students. Thus, applicants must check for the requirements and then apply for admission. 

Comparing Shortlisted Colleges in Massachusetts

Students who shortlist various colleges in Massachusetts for admission must compare them to check the following pointers:

• Course comparisons and how they’ll benefit the students
• Cost comparisons of the courses and overall costs
• Financial aid and how much fee will be waived
• What after graduation?
• Are there any campus placements?
• Whether to stay and study or work after graduating from a college in Massachusetts.
• Finally, the accommodation options if applying for a graduate course.

Once these pointers are checked, the students are clear with their decisions they can go ahead and apply to their choice of college in Massachusetts. 

Placements after Graduation at Colleges in Massachusetts

There are numerous opportunities for international students after they graduate from colleges in Massachusetts, in terms of jobs, research, higher education and internship opportunities with startups or even Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Massachusetts. Some of the popular employers who have employed graduates from different colleges of Massachusetts are:

• The Boston Consulting Group
• McKinsey & Company
• Amazon
• Verizon
• Google
• Bain & Company

Students interested in studying across colleges in Massachusetts can first compare other major states of the US, and understand if it's worth giving a shot or not. If you are a female student, check if the US state is safe to study and finally based on a couple of suggestions come to a conclusion and make a choice. If you wish to study in Massachusetts, you can begin your preparation. And if you get stuck somewhere, you can shoot in your queries in the comments box below for resolutions.