Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Massachusetts
Colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics, ranked by Compass Score.
Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in Massachusetts9 schools
9 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Massachusetts.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- Competes in NCAA Division I (the school's athletics association, from federal and association data).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by Compass Score, highest first. Schools with the same score share a rank.
Updated Oct. 20, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
- 1
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofitIvy LeagueHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A+
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 98% graduate
- 2
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 89% graduate
- 3
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 2% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 91% graduate
- 4
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 3% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 91% graduate
- 5
College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 4% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 87% graduate
- 6
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 83% graduate
- 7
Stonehill College
Easton, MA · Private nonprofitTop 9% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 76% graduate
- 8
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · PublicTop 20% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 65% graduate
- 9
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA · Private nonprofitTop 10% for earnings
- NCAA Division I athletics
- 70% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | About $19,000 | $14,000 | $101,817 | 98% |
| Boston University | About $24,000 | $23,250 | $83,238 | 89% |
| Boston College | About $42,000 | $19,000 | $103,937 | 91% |
| Northeastern University | About $31,000 | $24,250 | $92,538 | 91% |
| College of the Holy Cross | About $39,000 | $27,000 | $90,543 | 87% |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | About $22,000 | $22,763 | $71,631 | 83% |
| Stonehill College | About $33,000 | $25,000 | $77,745 | 76% |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | About $17,000 | $23,704 | $64,874 | 65% |
| Merrimack College | About $38,000 | $27,000 | $75,584 | 70% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.
This list in other states
- Alabama 10
- Arizona 5
- Arkansas 5
- California 26
- Colorado 5
- Connecticut 6
- District of Columbia 4
- Florida 14
- Georgia 6
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 13
- Indiana 11
- Iowa 4
- Kansas 3
- Kentucky 8
- Louisiana 12
- Maryland 9
- Michigan 7
- Mississippi 6
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 8
- New York 23
- North Carolina 19
- Ohio 13
- Oklahoma 4
- Oregon 4
- Pennsylvania 15
- Rhode Island 4
- South Carolina 12
- Tennessee 12
- Texas 26
- Utah 7
- Virginia 14
- Washington 5
- Wisconsin 4