20 Best Colleges In Massachusetts

Overview

Brandeis University is a private research institution that is non-sectarian in nature yet is supported by a welcoming Jewish community. The school is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, and is a member of the Association of American Universities and the Boston Consortium. This university is regionally accredited by the NEASC.

Features

This university confers undergraduate degrees in 43 major areas of study and over 25 degrees at the graduate level. Brandeis is also home to the renown Heller School for Social Policy and Management, one of the leading institutions for social work and international development. Additionally, online course and programs are offered for students who study on campus or take courses through the Boston Consortium. Some of the top degree programs are:

Notables

Brandeis is home to over 270 student organizations and half a dozen student-run media publications. Greek life is not sponsored nor recognized by the school; however, a large majority of students still affiliate with certain chapters. Multicultural and activist groups are among the most popular at the university, including political groups that were created by the student government.

Overview

The University of Massachusetts at Lowell is a public, urban research institution that is a member of the University of Massachusetts System. It is located in Lowell, Massachusetts, and is the second-largest institution in the state. This school holds regional accreditation by the NEASC.

Features

This university offers just over 200 degree programs at all levels of education. Many of the programs, including criminal justice and STEM sciences, are nationally recognized as one of the best in the country. Students can also elect to take some courses online, with a growing list of online programs available on the schools virtual portal. Youll find top degree programs such as:

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UMass Lowell currently recognizes more than 200 student-run organizations on its campus. These include WUML, the student-run station, the Off-Broadway Players, the Marching Band, and the Greek Council, which oversees Greek life on campus. In addition, students are treated to free entertainment shows, lecture series, political discussions, and traditions.

Overview

Babson College is an interesting addition to this list, as it is the only private business school that has made this ranking. It was established in 1919 in Wellesley, Massachusetts, and has a reputation for being the most prestigious college to earn an entrepreneurship degree from in the entire country. It is regionally accredited by the NEASC and holds independent accreditation by AACSB International.

Features

There are over 15 areas of concentration at the undergraduate level; Babson only confers the Bachelor of Science for its students. There are also six graduate programs, most of which come with further concentrations, and all are taught with an entrepreneurial methodology, meaning that students must often find their own answers rather than looking for it in a book. Heres a look at the top three degrees:

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Babsons students benefit from having over 100 student clubs and organizations available to them at any given time. These groups are as diverse as the student body, ensuring that every student will be able to find at least one group that meets their need. Additionally, Babson encourages students to create their own organization if there is a need that has yet to be filled by an existing organization.

Overview

Bentley University is a private institution that was first established as an accounting and finance school in 1917. Now it is a comprehensive university that specializes in business and banking programs. This school is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, and holds regional accreditation by the NEASC.

Features

This school confers over 15 undergraduate degrees, two graduate degrees with 15 areas of concentration, and two doctoral degrees. The majority of these programs focus on accounting, finance, and business; however, it is possible for students to focus on public policy or economics. Online courses are available, but options are limited and no degrees are available through the online portal. The top three most popular degrees are:

Notables

Sports are a big part of life at Bentley, allowing students to take friendly competition outside of the classroom and onto the field. Intramural sports programs are very popular, with the majority of students taking part in at least one sport throughout the academic year. Alternatively, students can take up a position at one of the schools student-run media organizations. These include a newspaper, television channel, literary magazine, radio station, and an independent record label.

Overview

Framingham State University is a public institution that is located in Framingham Massachusetts. It has been named a Green College by the Princeton Review, an honor given with distinction to just 22 schools in the state. This school is regionally accredited by the NEASC.

Features

The university offers more than 50 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels of education. These include programs in a variety of fields, including art, finance, food and nutrition, and more. FSU has also offered online courses since 1998, longer than any other school on this list. The three most popular degrees include:

Notables

This is one of the best universities in Massachusetts for students who are interested in a vibrant campus life. FSU supports more than 60 student clubs and organizations, including student-run media, commuter services, and a full calendar of campus events every academic year. Students can also take part in the Student Involvement and Leadership Development program, an opportunity that was created to give students the chance to prepare to become leaders before moving out into the workforce.

Overview

Westfield State University is one of the best universities in Massachusetts for educators. This is a public, comprehensive, four-year institution that is located in Westfield, Massachusetts. This university is regionally accredited by the NEASC.

Features

This school offers over 70 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate level, and the list is still growing. Westfield is continually adding degrees and improving old programs, ensuring that students are getting the most recent education on the field of study they have chosen to pursue as a career. Students will benefit from small class sizes and a campus that only allows full-time faculty to teach courses. Heres a peek at a few popular programs:

Notables

Students can choose from over 75 active student organizations to take part in, including arts and entertainment groups, student government, and student-run media. Honor societies also present on campus and represent most of the programs available at the school. This is a great school for sociable and ambitious students.

Overview

Massachusetts Maritime Academy is a public state university that specializes in providing degrees in maritime-related fields. It was established in 1891 and is the oldest continuously operating maritime academy in the country. This school is located in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, and is regionally accredited by NEASC.

Features

The school confers 7 maritime-related undergraduate degrees and 2 degrees at the graduate level. Students in USCG licensed majors must complete four seagoing experiences, three of which are aboard the USTS Kennedy and one which is aboard a commercial vessel. Additionally, all students will learn valuable leadership skills while part of the Academys Regiment of Cadets, which is very similar to the organization of ROTC, in which students will supervise each other in various duties. The three top degrees are:

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Campus life at the Academy is regimented and follows a set schedule put into place to teach students how life is like at sea. Physical fitness training and chores are required to be completed by each student, and most activities at the Academy pertain to maritime fields of interest.

Overview

Bridgewater State University is a public liberal arts institution that is a member of the University of Massachusetts System. It is located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, with two satellite campuses in the state. The school is regionally accredited by the NEASC.

Features

This school confers 25 undergraduate degrees and 12 graduate degrees, with the most common program being education. Students will also find various other programs that are independently accredited by national associations, thus adding to the growing academic reputation of this college. Online programs are not yet available at this school but are being planned for the very near future. Youll find a number of strong degree programs, including:

Notables

Student life at Bridgewater State is vibrant; the school offers over 160 clubs and organizations that students can join, including the Student Government Association. Fraternities and sororities are also represented on state, both from Greek life and honor associations. Additionally, students can join campus media, such as the newspaper and the radio station, both of which are completely student-run and provide excellent opportunities for leadership experience.

Overview

Emerson College is a private, comprehensive institution that specializes in communications. This school is located in the Washington Street Theatre District in Boston Massachusetts. It is regionally accredited by the NEASC.

Features

There are only two schools at Emerson: the School of Communications and the School of the Arts. Students can choose from 27 undergraduate programs and 10 graduate degree programs, all of which relates to communications; because of this, it will come as no surprise that Emerson is known as the School of the Oratory. Heres a glance at some of the top degree programs:

Notables

Emerson offers a variety of organizations campus, most of which relate to the Arts or are multicultural in nature. These groups are either maintained and run by the student government or specific departments. The school is also home to the EVVY Awards, the schools annual awards show for student achievement within the various disciplines.

Overview

Fitchburg State University is a public institution that makes its home in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It is a comprehensive university with four campuses across the state that prides itself on academic excellence and an intimate atmosphere. This school is regionally accredited by the NEASC.

Features

Fitchburg State offers over 56 areas of study at the undergraduate and graduate levels; pre-professional programs are also available, including Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing. In addition, students can also take advantage of evening and online courses, all of which are provided by the school in order to support working students and their educational needs. The most popular degrees here are:

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There are over 60 recognized student organizations at Fitchburg, including humanitarian groups, political associations, and intramural sports teams. Students can also become a part of the schools student-run media newspaper and radio station staffs.

Overview

Worcester State University is one of the best universities in Massachusetts. This is a liberal arts and sciences university that is located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Worcester State holds regional accreditation by the NEASC.

Features

This school is nationally ranked as a Best Value university by the Princeton Review owing to the affordability and the exceptional programs provided here. Students can choose from over 60 undergraduate areas of study and 31 graduate programs, all designed specifically to prepare students to become leaders in whatever field they choose. In addition, online education offerings are also becoming available. Heres a look at the most popular degree programs:

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Student life at Worcester State is enhanced by the student groups and organizations that are provided for on campus. There are over 30 registered student organizations, leadership programs, and commuter services, all built to create a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students.

Overview

Simmons College is a private womens college that is located in Boston, Massachusetts. It provides a womens-only undergraduate education and co-educational graduate studies for students in the state. This school holds regional accreditation by the NEASC.

Features

Simmons confers undergraduate degrees in more than 50 areas of study; the school also has over 50 graduate programs available as well. Students at this school often earn dual degrees in their field, either earning them simultaneously or concurrently; the 4 + 1 program is also available here. Here are a handful of the top degree programs:

Notables

The college knows that students need to feel safe and healthy in order to perform their best at the school; this is why the university offers comprehensive student services, such as counseling and health centers as well as tutoring services, for all students. There are also over 40 student organizations to get involved in and four student-run publications that need student staff members, allowing all students to feel as though they are part of the Simmons family.

Overview

Gordon College is a private, non-denominational Christian, liberal arts and sciences institution. It is located in Wenham, Massachusetts, and hosts over 1,700 students annually. This school holds regional accreditation by the NEASC.

Features

This college offers more than 40 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels; pre-professional programs in select subjects are also available. Of all the programs listed, education is the most popular among students. It is one of the best colleges in Massachusetts for students who are interested in becoming licensed teachers. Heres a glance at the most popular programs here:

Notables

The schools student life is governed by the Campus Events Council, which operates most of the student-run organizations on campus. Volunteer and outreach programs are very important at this school, including spring break missionary trips; however, students can also participate in student ministries and intramural sports as well.

Overview

Salem State University is a public institution that has been in continuous operation since 1854. It is located in Salem, Massachusetts. This school holds regional accreditation from the NEASC.

Features

Salem State confers more than 40 degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. This school also support graduate certificates, such as Holocaust Studies and Women and Gender Studies. Online courses are also available, and the school is looking to expand their online portal in the next five years. Take a look at a few of the top programs at Salem State:

Notables

This school has over 60 student organizations available for students, including academic-affiliated groups, student government associations, and student-run media organizations. Students will be able to find a professional association for nearly every subject offered by the school, most of which are sanctioned by the national organizations they are chartered from.

Overview

Springfield College is a private institution that is based in Springfield, Massachusetts. It is the birthplace of basketball, where it was invented in 1891 by a graduate student by the name of James Naismith. This school serves over 4,000 students annually and is regionally accredited by the NEASC.

Features

The university confers more than 50 degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. Students can expect small class sizes, a student-faculty ratio of 13:1, and an incredible education by a faculty that has been recognized for academic excellence. It has been ranked as one of the best colleges in Massachusetts by Colleges of Distinction. Among the many programs, here are the most popular:

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Student life at Springfield is affected by the schools Humanics philosophy; the school encourages students to spend their time out of the classroom serving others in volunteer or civic engagement, taking the time to cheer on the home sports teams, or becoming a member of any one of the schools 50 clubs and organizations that are sponsored by the school.