2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in Massachusetts
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in Massachusetts? We have ranked 144 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree analyzed 120 schools to compile this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Massachusetts
Here are the top-ranked schools:
Our analysis found Massachusetts Institute Of Technology to be the best Graduate Degrees school in Massachusetts. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. About 96% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $13,516. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
You'll be in good company at Harvard University, which ranked #2 this year. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Harvard University posts a six-year graduation rate of 98%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. More on Harvard University
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Tufts University earned it the #3 place in Massachusetts. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Read more about Tufts University
The strong Graduate Degrees programs at Bentley University earned it the #4 place in Massachusetts. Set in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Bentley University graduates 87% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,000. Students borrow a median of $25,476 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Bentley University profile
A rank of #5 makes Boston College one of the top choices in Massachusetts. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $18,101. Read the full report on Boston College
Boston University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,232. See the full Boston University profile
Worcester Polytechnic Institute did well this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. Graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. More on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Northeastern University placed #8 among Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,611. See the full Northeastern University profile
Northeastern University Global Network placed #9 among Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. Based in Boston, MA, Northeastern University Global Network is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,688 in tuition and fees. Northeastern University Global Network Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,055 in debt. Read more about Northeastern University Global Network
Emerson College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Emerson College is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Emerson College graduates 77% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $57,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Emerson College
Brandeis University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waltham, MA. Brandeis University graduates 86% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,653. Get the full Brandeis University report
Simmons College came in at #12 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. Simmons College posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,740. Read more about Simmons College
Anna Maria College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Paxton, MA, Anna Maria College is a private not-for-profit institution. Anna Maria College posts a six-year graduation rate of 46%. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Anna Maria College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,734 in debt. See the full Anna Maria College profile
Endicott College did well this year, earning the #14 position. Set in Beverly, MA, Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,650. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,973. More on Endicott College
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
Framingham State University landed the #16 spot in Massachusetts this year. Located in Framingham, MA, Framingham State University is a public institution. Framingham State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 48%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. See the full Framingham State University profile
Clark University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Worcester, MA, Clark University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Clark University report
Lasell College did well this year, earning the #18 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Newton, MA. Lasell College posts a six-year graduation rate of 59%. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,040. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,808. See the full Lasell College profile
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Students from in state pay about $48,550 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,866. Read the full report on Emmanuel College Massachusetts
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Lowell, MA, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates 65% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell report
Springfield College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Located in Springfield, MA, Springfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. In-state tuition and fees average $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Springfield College report
Gordon College did well this year, earning the #22 position. Based in Wenham, MA, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Gordon College posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,372. See the full Gordon College profile
Western New England University landed the #23 spot in Massachusetts this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Springfield, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,520. See the full Western New England University profile
Worcester State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester State University is a public institution. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. Read more about Worcester State University
Westfield State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Westfield, MA, Westfield State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Westfield State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,910 in debt. Read the full report on Westfield State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Massachusetts
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Lesley University landed the #26 spot in Massachusetts this year. Set in Cambridge, MA, Lesley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Lesley University graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,818. More on Lesley University
Suffolk University landed the #27 spot in Massachusetts this year. Based in Boston, MA, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Suffolk University
American International College came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Located in Springfield, MA, American International College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,230. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $30,390. Read more about American International College
Fitchburg State University ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Fitchburg, MA, Fitchburg State University is a public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Fitchburg State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,840 in debt. See the full Fitchburg State University profile
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #30 spot in Massachusetts this year. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school based in Boston, MA. University Of Massachusetts Boston graduates 49% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,236. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Boston report
Bay Path College placed #31 among Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. Located in Longmeadow, MA, Bay Path College is a private not-for-profit institution. Bay Path College posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,811. Read the full report on Bay Path College
Assumption College ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Worcester, MA, Assumption College is a private not-for-profit institution. Assumption College graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,356. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,995. Read the full report on Assumption College
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Chicopee, MA, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a private not-for-profit institution. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,854. More on College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Cambridge College landed the #34 spot in Massachusetts this year. Set in Boston, MA, Cambridge College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 12% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $18,378 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $29,776. Read the full report on Cambridge College
Salem State University came in at #35 in this year's ranking. Located in Salem, MA, Salem State University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Salem State University
Bridgewater State University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Bridgewater State University is a public school based in Bridgewater, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Bridgewater State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,632 in debt. See the full Bridgewater State University profile
Merrimack College came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in North Andover, MA, Merrimack College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Merrimack College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,913 in debt. More on Merrimack College
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #38 in this year's ranking. Located in North Dartmouth, MA, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public institution. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates 52% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,106. More on University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Laboure College
Laboure College ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. More on Laboure College
Northern Essex Community College did well this year, earning the #40 position. More on Northern Essex Community College
Wellesley College landed the #41 spot in Massachusetts this year. More on Wellesley College
Berkshire Community College landed the #42 spot in Massachusetts this year. See the full Berkshire Community College profile
Regis College
Regis College placed #43 among Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. More on Regis College
Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. See the full Massachusetts School Of Professional Psychology profile
Empire Beauty School Boston came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Get the full Empire Beauty School Boston report
Bunker Hill Community College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Bunker Hill Community College
Digrigoli School Of Cosmetology came in at #47 in this year's ranking. More on Digrigoli School Of Cosmetology
Lawrence Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing did well this year, earning the #48 position. More on Lawrence Memorial Hospital School Of Nursing
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #49 in this year's ranking. More on Massachusetts Bay Community College
Hult International Business School came in at #50 in this year's ranking. See the full Hult International Business School profile
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 120 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 144 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).