MA Schools Rank Highly In U.S. News & World Best Colleges Ranking

MASSACHUSETTS — Nine colleges were ranked among the top 100 national universities in the country, according to new 2025 Best Colleges rankings released Tuesday by U.S. News & World Report. Massachusetts can also claim the highest ranked liberal arts college.

The rankings evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, the digital media company said in a news release. This year in its rankings, U.S. News prioritized social mobility — that is, its record in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt — and post-graduate success, including earnings.

Here are the rankings for Massachusetts schools in the national universities category:

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

3. Harvard University

37. Boston College (Tied)

37. Tufts University (Tied)

41. Boston University (Tied)

54. Northeastern University (Tied)

58. University of Massachusetts - Amherst (Tied)

63. Brandeis University (Tied)

86. Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Tied)

132. Clark University (Tied)

152. University of Massachusetts - Lowell (Tied)

165. Simmons University (Tied)

Massachusetts has three schools in the top 10 when it comes to national liberal arts colleges, including Willaims (first) and Amherst (second), along with Wellesley, which ranks seventh. Smith College, ranked 14th, is another Massachusetts college in the top 20.

Included in the 2025 report are specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.

Massachusetts can claim some of the most innovative colleges in the country among national universities. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks third overall with Northeastern also in the top 10 at eighth. Harvard ranks 17th while Boston College ranks 19th.

Smith and Amherst College both find themselves in the top 20 of that category among national liberal arts colleges.

The top national universities are:

1. Princeton University in New Jersey
2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
3. Harvard University in Massachusetts
4. Stanford University in California
5. Yale University in Connecticut

The top national liberal arts colleges are:

1. Williams College in Massachusetts
2. Amherst College in Massachusetts
3. Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania
4. United States Naval Academy in Maryland
5. Bowdoin College in Maine and Pomona College in California (tie)