Ranking
Most Selective Colleges in Massachusetts by Acceptance Rate 2026
Harvard University leads this list with a reported acceptance rate of 3.7%. This page ranks only schools with standard reported admissions data.
The hardest Massachusetts colleges to get into — ranked by lowest undergraduate acceptance.
- Schools ranked
- 25
- Cheapest net price
- $17,716
- Top earnings 10y
- $143,372
- Public / Private
- 1 / 24
Harvard University
A- Acceptance
- 3.7%
- Net price
- $19,066
- Earnings 10y
- $101,817
- Acceptance
- 3.7%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
A+- Acceptance
- 4.6%
- Net price
- $20,111
- Earnings 10y
- $143,372
- Acceptance
- 4.6%
Northeastern University
B- Acceptance
- 5.2%
- Net price
- $30,915
- Earnings 10y
- $92,538
- Acceptance
- 5.2%
Williams College
A- Acceptance
- 8.3%
- Net price
- $17,716
- Earnings 10y
- $88,665
- Acceptance
- 8.3%
Amherst College
B- Acceptance
- 9%
- Net price
- $23,367
- Earnings 10y
- $77,644
- Acceptance
- 9%
Boston University
B- Acceptance
- 11.1%
- Net price
- $24,402
- Earnings 10y
- $83,238
- Acceptance
- 11.1%
Tufts University
D- Acceptance
- 11.5%
- Net price
- $39,998
- Earnings 10y
- $83,214
- Acceptance
- 11.5%
Wellesley College
B- Acceptance
- 14.1%
- Net price
- $25,496
- Earnings 10y
- $84,803
- Acceptance
- 14.1%
Boston College
C- Acceptance
- 16.4%
- Net price
- $41,704
- Earnings 10y
- $103,937
- Acceptance
- 16.4%
Babson College
B- Acceptance
- 17.1%
- Net price
- $40,514
- Earnings 10y
- $123,938
- Acceptance
- 17.1%
College of the Holy Cross
C- Acceptance
- 17.6%
- Net price
- $38,782
- Earnings 10y
- $90,543
- Acceptance
- 17.6%
Smith College
C- Acceptance
- 21%
- Net price
- $27,579
- Earnings 10y
- $64,027
- Acceptance
- 21%
Franklin W Olin College of Engineering
A- Acceptance
- 25.2%
- Net price
- $25,171
- Earnings 10y
- $129,455
- Acceptance
- 25.2%
Mount Holyoke College
C- Acceptance
- 36%
- Net price
- $26,441
- Earnings 10y
- $58,418
- Acceptance
- 36%
Clark University
C- Acceptance
- 39.5%
- Net price
- $28,714
- Earnings 10y
- $62,381
- Acceptance
- 39.5%
Brandeis University
D- Acceptance
- 40.5%
- Net price
- $35,736
- Earnings 10y
- $77,231
- Acceptance
- 40.5%
The New England Conservatory of Music
D- Acceptance
- 41.1%
- Net price
- $46,754
- Earnings 10y
- $34,483
- Acceptance
- 41.1%
Berklee College of Music
D- Acceptance
- 43.5%
- Net price
- $49,465
- Earnings 10y
- $33,647
- Acceptance
- 43.5%
Bentley University
B- Acceptance
- 45.1%
- Net price
- $37,930
- Earnings 10y
- $120,959
- Acceptance
- 45.1%
Laboure College of Healthcare
D- Acceptance
- 50%
- Net price
- $36,863
- Earnings 10y
- $62,200
- Acceptance
- 50%
Anna Maria College
D- Acceptance
- 50.3%
- Net price
- $28,333
- Earnings 10y
- $46,651
- Acceptance
- 50.3%
Emerson College
D- Acceptance
- 51.3%
- Net price
- $49,180
- Earnings 10y
- $62,832
- Acceptance
- 51.3%
University of Massachusetts-Amherst
B- Acceptance
- 59.7%
- Net price
- $22,383
- Earnings 10y
- $71,631
- Acceptance
- 59.7%
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
C- Acceptance
- 60.2%
- Net price
- $43,071
- Earnings 10y
- $103,470
- Acceptance
- 60.2%
Stonehill College
C- Acceptance
- 66.3%
- Net price
- $33,016
- Earnings 10y
- $77,745
- Acceptance
- 66.3%
How we picked this list
This list starts with Massachusetts colleges that report a standard admission rate, then sorts by acceptance rate. The set's average EduGradify ROI score is 7.17 (1 public, 24 private).
Source transparency: every figure comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard public data set. See our full methodology for the ROI formula, value grade rules and missing-data handling.
FAQ
Who leads this ranking?
Harvard University in Cambridge, MA tops this ranking. Acceptance rate is 3.7%.
How does EduGradify pick this list?
We rank this set by acceptance using the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard — see our methodology for the full formula. No paid placements, no surveys.
How many Massachusetts colleges are in this list?
62 Massachusetts colleges qualified for this ranking based on available federal data.
What does net price mean here?
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — not the sticker price. It is reported by each college to the U.S. Department of Education.
Can I use this ranking as a final college decision?
Use it as a shortlist, not a final decision. The ranking compares school-wide federal data; you should still confirm program fit, aid letters, graduation path, transfer policies and current costs with each college.