10 Best Universities in Boston: Rankings, Requirements & Fees

Curious about the best universities in Boston? With its historic charm and academic prestige, Boston is home to some of the world’s finest institutions. Which universities make the top 10 list? Boston is one of the oldest cities in the US, the capital and largest city of the US state of Massachusetts, and the biggest city in the New England region of the US.  Boston, a city with a rich history, a thriving culture, and top-notch universities, has emerged as a center for intellectualism and creativity.

Boston is home to the majority of the best universities. Boston is home to some of the most renowned universities in the world, including Harvard University, which was notably featured in “Good Will Hunting,” and MIT, which is credited with influencing people like Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man. Come discover why Boston is a haven for greatness as we explore the top 10 universities in the city.

Benefits of Studying in Boston

Did you know that over 300 different programs are offered by Boston’s best universities? Here are some justifications for picking Boston, Massachusetts’ top universities for your promising future!

1. Global Recognition: The Alliance of American Universities (AAU), a distinguished alliance of leading research universities in the US and Canada, includes Boston’s finest universities, which are well-known across the world. Because of their renown, attending one of these prestigious Boston institutions is a fantastic opportunity to gain international recognition!

2. Career Prospects: Gaining a degree from one of Boston’s top universities offers doors. CEOs and recruiters give their graduates strong employability ratings. Your employment chances will undoubtedly double as a result of the high level of recognition you will acquire here!

3. City Life: Boston is a thriving city with a rich cultural heritage. Being a student at one of Boston’s top institutions puts you right in the thick of things. In addition to great educational possibilities, there are plenty of things to do once you graduate.

4. Residential Campus: Numerous prestigious universities in Boston provide a range of residential communities and ensure on-campus housing throughout your undergraduate studies. But if you choose to stay somewhere else, a wonderful place to start is by looking around Boston’s top neighborhoods!

5. Global Perspective: With classes covering international subjects, staff members researching every continent, students hailing from about 100 nations, and alumni residing in more than 180 nations worldwide, Boston has established a significant reputation for itself. This city is renowned worldwide for its quality and wealth of options.

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Top 10 Universities in Boston

One of the main factors influencing students’ decision to attend Boston is the city’s prestigious universities. Boston offers students a very nice lifestyle in addition to top-notch academics.
Discover the finest courses, acceptance rates, and much more about the best Universities in Boston if you’re wondering what makes them unique among American universities:

1. Harvard University

• Location: Longwood Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
• Tuition Fees: $38,480 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 3.2%
• Eligibility Criteria: 4.18 GPA & 1480-1580 SAT & 35 ACT
• Notable Alumni: Barack Obama, Natalie Portman, John. F. Kennedy

We can’t avoid mentioning Harvard when discussing the best universities in Boston. According to the USA Rankings 2021, Harvard University is the top university in the United States, even though it started with just nine students. With 23,731 students today, Harvard University is the oldest university in the United States, having been founded in 1636. Like MIT, Harvard is situated in Cambridge, but it’s close enough for students to cross the river to enjoy Boston’s culture and nightlife.

Even though Harvard University has some of the highest tuition costs in the world, more than 55% of undergraduate students are awarded financial aid scholarships. Harvard University is one of the best engineering institutions in Boston. There are about 90 undergraduate and 150 graduate programs available to students.

The Harvard experience is highly immersing, as evidenced by the remarkable 98 percent of all undergraduate students who opt to reside on campus for the whole four years. Companies like Amazon, Google, and JP Morgan Chase extend offers to students because it is one of Boston’s top universities.

2. Massachusetts Institutes of Technology (MIT)

• Location: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
• Tuition Fees: $46,400 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 4%
• Eligibility Criteria: 1500 SAT
• Notable Alumni: Benjamin Netanyahu, David Nolan, Mao Chi Ku.

The best universities in Boston include MIT. According to the most recent USA rankings, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which occupies 168 acres of property in Cambridge and faces Boston across the Charles River, is the third-best university in the United States. The best university in Boston that integrates teaching and research to address real-world issues was founded as a distinct and autonomous educational establishment. Its departments, which cover five schools, bring cutting-edge teaching strategies to campus.

Of the slightly more than 11,500 students enrolled at MIT, 6,990 are postgraduates. Admission is extremely competitive; each year, fewer than 10% of applications are accepted.MIT places a lot of emphasis on leadership, innovation, and science and technology courses. Nevertheless, MIT covers a wide range of topics, despite its name and primary areas of specialization.

More than half of undergraduates enroll in at least one arts subject, and the Sloan School of Management is well-known throughout the world. China and India are the main contributors to this population. Companies like Amazon, Bain & Company, The Blackstone Group, Meta, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Nike, Google, and many more are looking for graduates from this top Boston college.

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3. Boston University

• Location: Boston, MA 02215, United States
• Tuition Fees: $41,350 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 14.4%
• Eligibility Criteria: 33 ACT, 1442 SAT, and 3.25 GPA
• Renowned alumni include: Martin Luther King Jr., Shane McMohan, and Julianne Moore.

Boston Institution, a private research institution situated on the banks of the Charles River in west Boston, is ranked 20th in the United States. With over 300 majors to choose from, the university currently has over 16,900 undergraduate students and over 15,600 postgraduate students enrolled.

With over 35,000 students from 130 different countries, this is one among the best universities in Boston. According to Times Higher Education, it is among the top in the city. If you’re considering moving to Boston, you should be aware of the expense of living there. Boston University is renowned for its private research and has a third of its students from other countries.

Its alumni include 35 Pulitzer Prize winners, six Academy Award winners, and seven Nobel Laureates, including Elie Wiesel and Martin Luther King Jr. A short stroll from the heart of Boston’s bustling social scene, many of the student houses at Boston University provide some of the best views of the city skyline.

4. Tufts University

• Location: 419 Boston Avenue, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA
• Tuition Fees: $47,300 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 9.7%
• Eligibility Criteria: 34 ACT, 1540 SAT, and 4.04 GPA
• Prominent Alumni: Anson Chan, Tracy Chapman, and Jamie Daimon

One of the best universities in Boston, Tufts, emphasizes research and development and is open to students from around the world. It promotes civic engagement and public service in all academic subjects and provides a broad range of study abroad choices. With 12 schools, Tufts is one of Boston’s most prominent universities. It is regarded as one of the top 30 universities in Boston, USA, due to the diversity of its programs and research possibilities.

Tufts University, unquestionably one of the best Boston institutions, is known for its interdisciplinary curriculum and commitment to civic engagement. About five miles northwest of Boston is Somerville, home to Tufts University’s campus. About 11,800 people attend Tufts, with undergraduate and graduate students making up an approximately equal portion of the student body. The university is close to Boston’s Museum of Bad Art and the well-known Davis Square, which is ideal for concertgoers, foodies, and shoppers.

Chinatown in downtown Boston is home to a second Tufts campus that is more conveniently situated. The health sciences programs are housed at the Chinatown campus, which is tucked away among the city’s business, financial, and theater sectors. The Boston Public Garden, where the well-known swan boats are located, is also easily accessible on foot.

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5. Northeastern University

• Location: 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA
• Tuition Fees: $39,250 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 6.8%
• Eligibility Criteria: GPA 3.0, 600-650 GMAT
• Prominent Alumni include: Beverly Johnson, Nikesh Arora, and Patrice ‘O’Neal.

Northeastern University is among the best universities in Boston. Focusing on contemporary and global issues, Northeastern University is an experiential research university. There are now 20,400 undergraduate students and 17,379 postgraduate students enrolled in the school. With 144 different countries represented, 34% of its student body is international.

One of the best universities in Boston for international students is Northeastern University, which provides great chances for students to get involved with research facilities and sports teams. The College of Engineering is one of the best engineering schools in Boston, with about 4,000 students.
Northeastern University’s most well-liked features are its research and innovation in global engagement.

One of the few colleges in Boston with its main campus located in the city center is Northeastern University, which is ranked 49th in the US. Northeastern is a relatively urban university, yet it is also surrounded by grassy areas and trees. It is situated next to Symphony Hall and the Museum of Fine Arts. Additionally, it places a great emphasis on the community; since 2006, students have participated in more than a million hours of community service.

6. Boston College

• Location: 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States.
• Tuition Fees: $47,500 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 16.7%
• Eligibility Criteria: 33 ACT, 1,442 SAT, and 3.5 GPA
• Prominent Alumni: David Zaslav, Geena Davis, and Howard Stern

Boston College, a Jesuit Catholic private research university located in Chestnut Hill, is regarded as one of the best universities in Boston. It is one of the best universities in Boston because of its Gothic architecture, Chestnut Hill Reservoir, and Boston Marathon route. The 130-acre suburban campus has a welcoming sense of community.

Boston College, ranked 55th in the US, offers a friendly community culture on its 130-acre suburban campus. The term “AHANA,” coined by Boston College in 1979, is used to describe African-American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native-American students instead of “minority students.”The college currently has 14,890 enrolled students. The fact that only 26 percent of applicants are accepted shows how selective it is.

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7. Brandeis University

• Location: 415 South Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02453, USA
• Tuition Fees: $51,000 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 39.4%
• Eligibility Criteria: GPA 3.75, 1370-1530
• Prominent Alumni include: Michael Sandel, Barry Newman, and Jerry Douglas.

In 1948, Brandeis University was founded by the American Jewish Justice panel of the US Supreme Court as a non-sectarian institution that welcomes students from all backgrounds. Brandeis University is one of the newest private research colleges in the US, enrolling just over 3,600 undergraduates. The school is located nine miles west of Boston on 235 suburban acres along the Charles River.

Given that the university is named after Louis D. Brandies, the first Jewish justice on the US Supreme Court, justice was definitely served. Teachers are able to offer small class sizes and individualized attention because of the 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. One of the best universities in Boston, it is well-known for its strong Jewish studies programs and contributions to social policy, neurology, and international and global studies.

The university’s shuttle bus, which visits Boston more than thirty times a week, makes it easy for students to keep involved with the city even though Brandeis is far from downtown. The liberal arts are highly valued in Brandeis, which is home to the Rose Art Museum and is ranked joint 62nd in the United States.

8. University of Massachusetts

• Location: 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, Massachusetts 02125, USA
• Tuition Fees: $29,500 per year
• Acceptance Rate: 80.08%
• Eligibility Criteria: SAT: 1280-1450, ACT: 29-33, GPA: 3.
• Prominent Alumni: Bill Pullman, Marcus Camby, and Jack Welch.

The University of Massachusetts ranks among the best universities in Boston. It is well known for its unwavering commitment to urban education, community, social justice, and involvement. This university is well-known for its robust scientific offerings, which include nursing, environmental science, and marine science. One of the best universities in Boston, it is also very dedicated to sustainability and has put in place a number of green projects, such as LEED-certified buildings and a recycling program for the entire campus.

The University of Massachusetts, Boston is located close to downtown Boston on a charming waterfront campus. It is ranked 90th in the most recent USA rankings. There are about 16,300 students enrolled at the school this year, representing 136 different countries.

University of Public Research Boston’s University of Massachusetts is committed to both urban and global engagement. This year, the school got US$62 million (about £44 million) in research funding, with a heavy emphasis on natural and social science.

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9. Suffolk University

• Location: 73 Tremont Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, USA
• Tuition Fees: $30,000 to $35,000 per year.
• Acceptance Rate: 86.8%
• Eligibility Criteria: 1090-1273 SAT, 24-30 ACT
• Prominent Alumni include Linda Dorcena Forry, Bruce Tarr, and Benedict.

In a lively and fascinating city, this energetic institution provides students with a top-notch education. The New England Commission of Higher Education has accredited Suffolk University, which is considered to be one of the best universities in Boston and the Northeastern United States. Successful academics, researchers, and practitioners who are committed to assisting students in reaching their academic and career objectives make up the faculty.

This renowned Boston university offers a range of experiential learning opportunities in addition to standard classroom instruction, including study abroad programs, internships, and community service initiatives. Situated in the center of downtown Boston, Suffolk University is a private university that should not be mistaken for the University of Suffolk in the United Kingdom.

Easy access to job possibilities, including internships and placements, which are provided by many of the city’s businesses, is one benefit of city life. Approximately 5,000 of Suffolk University’s 7,300 students are undergraduates, according to the most current data available. Among these pupils, 1,331 are foreign nationals.

10. Simmons University

• Location: 300 Fenway, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States.
• Tuition Fees: $35,000 to $40,000
• Acceptance Rate: 75.6%
• Eligibility Criteria: College Level match GPA: 3.0
• Prominent Alumni: Winston Tabb, David Ferriero and Elinor Lipman.

Simmons Institution is a women’s private university in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. Among the best universities in Boston, it has a long history of advancing women through education. This college provides a range of experiential learning options in addition to regular classroom instruction, including research partnerships with academics, internships, and service-learning initiatives.

The institution is dedicated to giving students the information and abilities they need to be successful in their chosen disciplines. Located in Boston’s lush Fenway district, Simmons University is a private university with a focus on women that is ranked 10th in Boston and 161–170 in the United States. It is also a coeducational graduate school.

John Simmons founded it in 1899 with the goal of assisting in the expansion of women’s employment options. There are now 4,858 postgraduate students and 1,777 undergraduate students enrolled. Within six months of graduation, an astounding 91 percent of Simmons undergraduates are either working or pursuing additional education.

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