Last Updated on May 17, 2023
Boston is home to over 100 colleges and universities, receiving over 250,000 students from around the globe. It ranked 9th best academic city in the world (QS Best Student Cities 2022), which also attracts professional opportunities. Employers rank Boston as the 2nd best city in the world for recruiting university graduates (QS 2022).
From the Ivy League institutions like Harvard University to prestigious research universities like MIT and Boston University, there is no shortage of world-class education in the city. So if you’re interested in business, science, engineering, or the liberal arts, Boston has a university that can help you achieve your professional and academic aims. Join us as we learn about the top 10 universities in Boston and discover why Boston is a breeding ground for greatness.
Table of Contents
Top 10 Universities in Boston 2023
1) Harvard University
- Location: Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Acceptance rate:4%
- Top courses: Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, Management, Business Administration, Arts
Beginning with just nine students, Harvard University, located in Cambridge and Boston, has now become a prominent institution with over 20,000-degree candidates enrolled and is one of the best universities in Boston. Along with its impressive growth, Harvard boasts various selling points, such as its emphasis on global intelligence, practical learning, innovation, residential learning communities, and more. Harvard is amongst oldest higher education institution in the United States and offers admission all year round. Approximately 90 undergraduate programmes and 150 graduate students have a wide range of degree options. Moreover, Harvard has a significant international student population, with 4818 students worldwide enrolled. The university’s graduates are highly sought after by more than 1000 recruiters, including notable companies such as Amazon, Google, and JP Morgan Chase.
2) Massachusetts Institutes of Technology (MIT)
- Location: 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
- Acceptance rate: 4.1%
- Top courses: Science, Business Administration, Management, Technology, Architecture,
MIT was established as a unique and independent educational institution combining teaching and research to tackle real-world problems. Its departments span five schools introducing innovative methods of learning on campus. Moreover, most of MIT’s faculty members are distinguished scholars from around the globe, making it a trustworthy institution for pursuing one’s career aspirations. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private institution with a significant international student population, making up for 29.1% of its student body. The top contributors to this population are China, with 971 students, followed by India, with 340 students. Graduates of MIT are in high demand by prestigious companies such as Amazon, Bain & Company, The Blackstone Group, Meta, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Nike, Google, and many others.
3) Boston University
- Location: Boston, MA 02215, United States
- Acceptance rate: 18.6%
- Top courses: Engineering, Business Management, Science, Arts, Technology
Offering private education to over 35,000 students from over 130 countries, Boston University is a amongst of the best universities in Boston students can go for. According to times higher Education, Boston University alumni are the most sought-after in the United States. In Boston, Massachusetts, Boston University is a major private research institution known globally. It is among the largest universities in Boston, with a third of its international students. The College of Arts and Science, Engineering and the Business School are among the top picks.
4) Tufts University
- Location: 419 Boston Ave, Medford, MA 02155, United States
- Acceptance rate: 11.4%
- Top courses: Engineering, Business Management, Science, Technology, Engineering management
This private university in Boston caters to international students and specializes in research and development. With a moderate enrolment of over 5,000 undergraduates, the university maintains an average class size of 20 students taught by highly qualified faculty. Along with an extensive range of study programmes abroad, it promotes public services and activity citizenship across all disciplines. Tufts University is recognized for its exceptional undergraduate research opportunities. Comprising 12 schools, the university collectively admits over 12,000 students annually. Tufts university comes in the top 30 universities in United states as it has a diversity in its courses and research opportunities
5) Northeastern University
- Location: 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Acceptance rate: 18.4%
- Top courses: Technology. Engineering, Arts, Architecture, Design, Engineering management, Management, Science
Northeastern University, Located in Boston, USA, stands out among other colleges with its diverse student body, comprising 34% international students from 144 countries. The university boasts several satellite campuses in different locations, including Berlin and London. Northeastern offers excellent student opportunities to participate in sports teams and research centres. Northwestern University is especially known for its co-op programs, available at undergraduate and graduate levels, with over 7000 students receiving co-op placements globally. Notably, the college of professional studies and the College of Engineering is the most popular schools within the university, with an enrolment of over 4000 students.
6) Boston College
- Location: 140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467, United States
- Acceptance rate: 19%
- Top courses: Finance, economics, applied psychology, computer science, Science
Located in Chestnut hill, just southwest of Boston, Boston College is a Jesuit Catholic private research university well-known for its Gothic architecture, Chestnut Hill Reservoir, and being a part of the Boston Marathon course. The 130-acre suburban campus of Boston College, which is ranked joint 55th in the U.S., has a welcoming community atmosphere. Constantly ranked among the top national universities in the United States Boston College is known for its strong liberal arts program, Jesuit values, and commitment to research and services. News & World Report and Forbes, as well as for its commitment to community service and its values and returns on student investments. We can surely say that Boston College is one of the best universities in Boston.
7) Brandeis University
- Location: 415 South St, Waltham, MA 02453, United States
- Acceptance rate: 39.1%
- Top courses: Social science, public administration and social services, mathematics and statistics, psychology
This best university in Boston was founded in 1948 by the American Jewish Justice of the United States Supreme Court as a non-sectarian institution that welcomes students from all backgrounds. The university is recognized for its strong liberal arts and science programs and reputation as a research-focused institution. The university is named after Louis D. Brandies, the first Jewish Justice of the United Supreme Court, so Justice was certainly served. The student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, which allows for small class sized and individual attention from professors. The university offers 45 majors and 2000 courses across all its schools, four from Arts and Sciences to Management. Brandeis University is known for its strong commitment to social Justice and activism and has a long history of promoting equality and inclusion. The university has also been recognized for its strong Jewish studies programs and contributions to neurosciences, international and global studies and social policies.
8) University of Massachusetts, Boston
- Location: 100 Morrissey Blvd, Boston, MA 02125, United States
- Acceptance rate: 79%
- Top courses: Psychology, business/commerce, social sciences, computer and information science
Regarded among the best universities in Boston for public research, the University of Massachusetts Boston, or UMass Boston is recognized for its strong commitment to urban education, community, engagement and social Justice. Diversity here is on peak as student population of approximately 16,000 undergraduates and graduate students are from foreign countries. UMass Boston is known for its strong programs in science, including marine science, environmental science and nursing. Moreover, the university has greatly contributed to public policy, social science and business. The uni campus, located on a peninsula, stands overlooking the Boston Harbour, with stunning city skyline views. The campus includes numerous academic buildings, research facilities, residence halls and recreational spaces. The university is also strongly committed to sustainability and has implemented numerous green initiatives, including LEED-certified buildings and a campus-wide recycling program.
9) Suffolk University
- Location: 73 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02108, United States
- Acceptance rate: 88%
- Top courses: MBA, Business Analytics, Art and design
This dynamic institution offers students a world-class education in a vibrant and exciting city. Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, Suffolk University has been consistently ranked as a top regional university in the Northeastern United States. The faculty at Suffolk University includes accomplished scholars, researchers and practitioners dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals. Suffolk University provides undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs in many fields, such as business, law, liberal arts and sciences, education, and public affairs. The university is also known for its strong international relations, government, and public policy programs. In addition to traditional classroom learning, Suffolk University presents a variety of experiential learning opportunities, such as study abroad programs, internships, and community service projects. The university’s location in Boston provides students with a wealth of cultural, social, and professional opportunities. All this is proof that Suffolk university is among the best universities in Boston.
10) Simmons University
- Location: 300 Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, United States
- Acceptance rate: 83.5%
- Top courses: Health Professions, Biological and Biomedical Sciences , social sciences.
Simmons University is a private women’s university in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It was founded in 1899 and had a long history of empowering women through education. Simmons University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in various fields, including business, education, liberal arts and sciences, nursing, and social work. The university is also known for its strong healthcare and science programs, particularly in nursing and physical therapy. In addition to traditional classroom learning, Simmons University offers a variety of experiential learning opportunities, such as internships, service-learning projects, and research collaborations with faculty members. The university is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in their chosen fields. The faculty at Simmons University includes accomplished scholars, researchers, and practitioners dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals.