Forbes just released their annual list of America’s top colleges, and to no surprise, many Massachusetts schools made the grade.
But perhaps a surprise to some, Harvard University didn’t top the list.
Forbes’ list highlights the 500 American colleges that offer the best outcomes in education, finances and careers for all students according to their calculations. Schools are ranked using 14 different metrics, including retention rate, graduation rate, alumni success, alumni salary and debt.
While some things on the list are the same as last year, such as Princeton University ranking No. 1, there was some movement. Double the amount of historically Black colleges and universities made the top 500, accord to Forbes, and schools with higher admission rates climbed up the rankings.
Out of the 500 schools ranked, 30 schools are in Massachusetts, with 11 making it to the top 100. See exactly where these 11 Massachusetts schools placed below.
Which of Forbes’ top 100 colleges are in MA?
Here are the 11 Massachusetts colleges that made it in the top 100 of the Forbes 2024-2025 top colleges list, in order of lowest to highest ranking.
Babson College
Babson, a private school in Wellesley which offers a premiere business education through hands-on experience, ranked 96th.
Northeastern University
With an urban campus in the heart of Boston and emphases on research and internships, Northeastern placed 73rd.
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Olin College of Engineering
Olin College in Needham, known for its rigorous engineering degrees, ranked 69th. This selective college admits less than 100 students every year.
Boston College
Located outside the city in Chestnut Hill, this private Jesuit university came in 59th place.
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Boston University
Just four miles away from Boston College is its biggest city rival, Boston University, which placed 53rd. Boston University is a leading research institution located along the Charles River.
Tufts University
Tufts University, another top research university in Boston, came in 52nd place, just one ranking above Boston University. Tufts’ main campus is located in Medford and Somerville.
Amherst College
The next ranking jumps up the list, with Amherst College in Amherst placing 24th. Amherst is a small liberal arts college with an open curriculum and a distinguished science program.
Wellesley College
Wellesley College, an all-women liberal arts college in Wellesley that counts Hillary Clinton among their alumni, ranked just one spot above Amherst at 23rd.
Williams College
Located in Williamstown of the Berkshire Mountains region, this liberal arts school placed 17th.
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Harvard University
As the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, Forbes calls this Ivy League university in Cambridge “the gold standard of higher education.” This year, Harvard ranked 8th.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Beating out Harvard and taking the spot of Forbes’ highest-ranked school in Massachusetts is Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which came in 3rd place overall. Located in Cambridge with Harvard, MIT is known for its innovative programs in science, technology and engineering.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: This Massachusetts college ranked No. 3 in country in Forbes top 500
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