POPULATION (2021): 7 million
CAPITAL: Boston
LARGEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN MASSACHUSETTS: University of Massachusetts Amherst
LARGEST PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN MASSACHUSETTS: Boston University
Massachusetts is a relatively small state, especially compared to the west and the south, but it still has 114 colleges and universities, many of which are close to the most populous city, Boston. Some of these colleges are for postsecondary education, but this article will focus on 4-year colleges and universities. There are still a lot of options, and just like the state of Massachusetts, itself, there is a college to suit pretty much everyone.
The state is named after a Native American tribe, and in addition to Native culture, there is also heavy colonial influence and many historical sites and museums. Known to many as “The Old Bay State,” Massachusetts is known for having delicious seafood, especially the Boston Clam Chowder. There are a lot of beautiful coastal places, but inland also offers beautiful scenery, perfect for a relaxing weekend escape after acing some exams.
Universities in Massachusetts – 4-Year Colleges and Online
There is no shortage of universities and colleges in Massachusetts, and many of them are located in Boston. Prestige is also quite high for many of the Massachusetts universities, with Harvard and MIT headlining in that field. There is a section below that showcases Boston schools, in particular, and here’s a look at all of the rest of the colleges and universities in Massachusetts.
Public Universities in Massachusetts
Though many private universities in Massachusetts receive national attention, many public universities offer high-quality education. The largest public university in Massachusetts is the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with nearly 30,000 students. The next largest public universities are also U of Mass schools, with the Lowell and Boston campuses serving 18,000 and 16,000 students, respectively.
Here is a list of other public universities in Massachusetts:
- Bridgewater State University
- Salem State University
- U of Mass Dartmouth
- Fitchburg State University
- Framingham State University
- Worcester State University
- Westfield State University
- Quincy College
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
- Massachusetts Maritime Academy
Private Universities in Massachusetts
Several prestigious private universities are located in Massachusetts, and several have been in existence since before the United States was even officially founded. Harvard University, Boston University, and Northeastern University all top the 20,000-student mark, and that is only scraping the surface of the private universities in Massachusetts. Here are some of the other private colleges in Mass:
- Boston College
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- Tufts University
- Suffolk University
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute
- Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
- Lesley University
- Brandeis University
- Bentley University
- Springfield College
- Simmons University
- Emerson College
- Endicott College
- Berklee College of Music
- Wentworth Institute of Technology
- Clark University
- Babson College
- Holy Cross
- Merrimack College
- Regis College
- Wheaton College
Community Colleges in Massachusetts
The Community College System of Massachusetts is very robust, not unlike the rest of the college landscape. Here is a list of all of the community colleges in Massachusetts:
- Berkshire CC
- Holyoke CC
- North Essex CC
- Bristol CC
- Massasoit CC
- North Shore CC
- Bunker Hill CC
- MassBay CC
- Quinsigamond CC
- Cape Cod CC
- Middlesex CC
- Roxbury CC
- Greenfield CC
- Mount Wachusett CC
- Springfield Technical CC
Prominent Online Colleges in Massachusetts
Massachusetts was at the forefront of online education, and all of the state universities offer online courses. The vast majority of the private colleges do, as well, with these ranking the highest:
- University of Massachusetts
- Northeastern University
- Fitchburg State University
- Assumption College
- Framingham State University
Universities in Boston, MA
Boson is the largest city in Massachusetts, and also the capital. Both of those things usually point to many colleges, and Boston is no exception. Here is a list of colleges and universities in Boston:
- Bay State College
- Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
- Berklee College of Music
- Boston Architectural College
- Boston Baptist
- Boston University
- Cambridge College
- Emerson College
- Emmanuel College
- Fisher College
- Massachusetts College of Art and Design
- MCPHS University
- Northeastern University
- Simmons University
- Suffolk University
- The New England Conservatory of Music
- U Mass Boston
- Wentworth Institute of Technology
Universities in Cambridge, MA
Cambridge is a suburb of Boston and is home to three of the most prestigious colleges in the state in Harvard Universit, Lesley University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
Universities in Worchester, MA
Worcester is home to Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Clark University, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Assumption University, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, College of the Holy Cross, and Worcester State University, which are accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE). Famous alumni of Worcester Polytechnic Institute include Robert H. Goddard, Elwood Haynes, and Dean Kamen. The city’s colleges and universities also offer many online programs.
Get to Know Massachusetts
Massachusetts is as New England as it gets, with 4 seasons, nice people who aren’t afraid to tell you they’re better than you because they’re from Massachusetts, great seafood, and beauty galore. For college students, the cities of Boston and Worchester offer the most nightlife fun, but arts and music are everywhere, with many smaller towns having large investments in their arts communities.
Snowsports are popular in the winter, and the beach is the place to be in the summer!