Best large colleges in Massachusetts
Colleges with 10,000 or more undergraduates, ranked by Compass Score.
Best large colleges in Massachusetts6 schools
6 schools qualify, ranked by the Compass Score.
How this list is made
- Schools in Massachusetts.
- Accredited four-year undergraduate colleges.
- 10,000 or more undergraduate students (federal enrollment).
- 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
Boston University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 18,656 undergraduates
- 89% graduate
- 2
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 2% for earnings
- 10,083 undergraduates
- 91% graduate
- 3
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Private nonprofitHonor RollTop 3% for earnings
- 15,891 undergraduates
- 91% graduate
- 4
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Amherst, MA · PublicHonor RollExceptional: Compass grade A
- 23,936 undergraduates
- 83% graduate
- 5
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · PublicTop 20% for earnings
- 12,128 undergraduates
- 65% graduate
- 6
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · PublicTop 19% for earnings
- 12,373 undergraduates
- 49% graduate
Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston University | $24,402 | $23,250 | $83,238 | 89% |
| Boston College | $41,704 | $19,000 | $103,937 | 91% |
| Northeastern University | $30,915 | $24,250 | $92,538 | 91% |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | $22,383 | $22,763 | $71,631 | 83% |
| University of Massachusetts-Lowell | $17,163 | $23,704 | $64,874 | 65% |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | $17,707 | $21,974 | $65,865 | 49% |
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 5
- Arizona 6
- California 29
- Colorado 6
- District of Columbia 3
- Florida 13
- Georgia 8
- Idaho 3
- Illinois 8
- Indiana 6
- Kansas 4
- Kentucky 4
- Louisiana 4
- Maryland 4
- Michigan 8
- Minnesota 3
- Mississippi 3
- Missouri 6
- Nebraska 3
- New Jersey 4
- New York 19
- North Carolina 9
- Ohio 9
- Oklahoma 3
- Oregon 3
- Pennsylvania 6
- South Carolina 4
- Tennessee 4
- Texas 19
- Utah 8
- Virginia 8
- Washington 3
- Wisconsin 3