10 Best Colleges and Universities Near Boston, MA (2025)
The greater Boston area is one of the largest and oldest metropolitan areas in the nation. Discover some of the best universities and colleges near Boston, Massachusetts.
The Boston, MA area is one of the larger metropolitan areas in the United States. It's also one of the oldest, and many of the colleges and universities there are over a century old.
Keep reading to discover some of the best universities and colleges near Boston, Massachusetts.
Featured Colleges in Boston, Massachusetts
The greater Boston area is home to many world-renowned colleges and universities. We've featured ten of the best universities and colleges near Boston, Massachusetts below in alphabetical order.
1. Boston College
Boston College is a private Catholic research university in Chestnut Hill, a village on the outskirts of Boston. It offers associate through doctoral degrees.
Degrees are available in areas of study like:
- Business
- Education and Human Development
- Humanities
- Science and Math
The university was originally founded as a liberal arts college in 1863. Today, it enrolls over 15,000 students across its eight colleges and schools.
2. Boston University
Boston University is a private research university in Boston. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online.
Students can earn degrees from 17 schools and colleges in fields such as:
- Communication
- Fine Arts
- Health Science and Medicine
- Science and Engineering
Boston University was established in 1839. It currently enrolls over 37,000 students from 140 countries around the world.
3. Brandeis University
Brandeis University is a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs in person and online.
Degrees are available in areas of study like:
- Business
- Humanities
- Science and Math
- Social Policy
The university was founded in 1948. Today, it enrolls over 5,000 students and has one of the highest proportions of international students of any university in the country.
4. Emerson College
Emerson College is a private liberal arts college based in Boston. It offers bachelor's degrees on campus and master's degrees on campus and online.
Students can earn degrees in fields such as:
- Business
- Communication
- Fine Arts
- Social Sciences
Emerson College was originally established in 1880 as the Boston Conservatory of Elocution, Oratory, and Dramatic Art. It currently enrolls nearly 6,000 students.
5. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the most well-known research universities in the world. It's located in Cambridge, a Boston suburb.
MIT offers undergraduate and graduate degrees through the following six schools and colleges within the university:
- MIT Schwarzman College of Computing
- School of Architecture and Planning
- School of Engineering
- School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
- Sloan School of Management
- School of Science
The university was founded in 1861. Today, it enrolls nearly 12,000 students and is famous for its contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
6. Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a private research university based in Boston. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs in person and online.
Students can choose from hundreds of degree options in areas of study like:
- Art and Design
- Business
- Science and Engineering
- Social Sciences and Humanities
Northeastern University was established in 1898 as the Evening Institute for Younger Men.
It's currently one of the largest universities in Massachusetts, enrolling over 36,000 students.
7. Simmons University
Simmons University is a private university in Boston. It offers undergraduate programs for women and co-ed graduate programs on campus and online.
Degrees are available through the university's four colleges:
- College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences
- College of Organizational, Computational, and Information Sciences
- College of Social Sciences, Policy, and Practice
- Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities
The university was founded by clothing manufacturer John Simmons in 1899. Today, it enrolls over 6,000 students primarily at the graduate level.
8. Suffolk University
Suffolk University is a private research university in Boston. It offers degrees from the associate to the doctoral level.
Students can earn degrees in fields such as:
- Business
- Humanities
- Law
- Science and Math
Suffolk University was founded in 1906 as a law school. It currently enrolls nearly 7,000 students and still includes a law school.
9. Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university in the Boston suburbs. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs.
Degrees are available through three schools within the university:
- School of Arts and Sciences
- School of Engineering
- School of the Museum of Fine Arts
The university was established in 1852. Today, it enrolls nearly 13,000 students and is consistently ranked as one of the best private universities in the country.
10. University of Massachusetts Boston
The University of Massachusetts Boston is the only public research university in the Boston area. It offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in person and online.
Students can earn degrees through the university's six colleges and schools:
- College of Education and Human Development
- College of Liberal Arts
- College of Management
- College of Science and Mathematics
- Manning College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- School for the Environment
UMass Boston was founded in 1852 and incorporated into the UMass system in 1964. It currently enrolls over 16,000 students.
What Is the Biggest School Near Boston, Massachusetts?
The biggest school near Boston is Boston University, with an enrollment of 37,000 students. However, Northeastern is close behind, with an enrollment of 36,000 students.
How To Choose the Right College Near Boston, Massachusetts
When you're choosing a college in the Boston area, there are a few things to consider. These include:
- If the college has a good program for your major
- What the cost of the college is
- What financial aid the college offers
- Where the college is located
Paying for Your Degree Near Boston, Massachusetts
Many students use scholarships, federal grants, student loans, and work-study programs to help them pay for their degrees.
You can find out what financial aid you qualify for by filling out your Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA).
Start Your Degree Near Boston, Massachusetts Today
Students can choose from many excellent universities and colleges near Boston, Massachusetts.
Check out the featured programs above and find your perfect match today!