25 Best Universities In Massachusetts For International Students 2025

Massachusetts is surely one of the places you should be considering if you’re looking to study in United States. This location has a lot to offer for international students, including world-class universities and exciting student experiences. With more than 69 universities and colleges in Massachusetts, you’ll surely have a wide range of choices.

Out of 69 universities in Massachusetts, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are the top-performing schools in Massachusetts. This list covers both public and private institutions in Massachusetts.

To help you narrow down your school options, we’ve compiled the best universities in Massachusetts. We based our rankings on academic reputations from reputable sources and the number of international students. By doing this, you’ll have an efficient way of comparing your target universities and choose your host university in Massachusetts.

How do I get admission to the best universities in Massachusetts?

Applying to the universities in Massachusetts involves submitting requirements and following specific admissions procedures set by your chosen university. The requirements often include a student visa, application packages, and language scores. Check out our guide for international students who want to study in Massachusetts to learn more about applying for admission in this country’s universities!

How much are the tuition fees at the best universities in Massachusetts?

Tuition fees at Massachusetts’s universities can vary depending on which university, degree, and program you will be enrolling in. Generally, tuition fees for the bachelor’s level range from 970 USD to 67,500 USD , while tuition fees for the master’s level range from 3,042 USD to 85,000 USD. If you are interested, check out the affordable universities in Massachusetts!

As we cover the best universities in Massachusetts for international students, feel free to check out the university’s information on Admission, Tuition, Courses, and Language Requirements by looking at the individual university pages.

Top Universities in Massachusetts for International Students

Being one of the most prestigious universities in the entire world, Harvard University is one of the few Ivy League universities that are located in the United States. Due to its high academic standards with a rigorous curriculum, this institution has been famed all over the world, and many students, both domestic and international, are trying their best to get into this ideal university. In addition to its academic expertise, Harvard continued to be one of the top-tier research universities, which even rivals MIT, Columbia University, and Stanford University.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a leading educational institution in the world. They are highly recognized for their comprehensive undergraduate and graduate programs, which have produced the best researchers, engineers, and scientists around the globe. They have an acceptance rate of 7%, indicating that they are very selective.

Boston University was established over 180 years ago and has long been considered one of the top universities in the United States and the world. It offers more than 300 study programs in a wide range of disciplines which are taught by notable experts in their respective academic fields. Boston University is also known for conducting innovative research and is an active member of a prominent research organization called the Association of American Universities. 

Founded in 1863, the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) was initially established to offer education in agriculture. Over the years, the institution has expanded to provide higher education in various academic disciplines such as business, engineering, arts, life sciences, and law. UMass Amherst’s influence is quite prominent in Massachusetts. It actively promotes innovative studies and has long-term collaborations with relevant industry sectors and universities. The university is undoubtedly one of the leading institutions that offer premium quality teaching and research.

Tufts University is a private higher education institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The university has provided high standards of teaching and research since its inception in 1852. Its broad spectrum of multidisciplinary programs is considered among the best globally. Moreover, the institution is fully committed to cultivating a pool of talented and competent professionals that would contribute to society.

Northeastern University is a perfect place for you to experience one-of-a-kind educational training. Its connections enable students to participate in various collaborative activities and solve challenges in the actual industry. The university’s goal is to provide an environment where students will get to seize opportunities and gain the necessary skills for their future careers.

Founded in 1863, Boston College (BC) is among the first private institutions to offer higher education in the city of Boston. The university is deeply rooted in Jesuit and Catholic ideals. Its primary goal is not only to educate countless talented students but also to cultivate trustworthy individuals who have a sense of responsibility to the human race and society. BC’s legacy continues to live on, and as a forerunner of higher education, the university leads in providing academic excellence and internationally recognized programs.

Being a privately-run college in Massachusetts, Brandeis University was first established by the American Jewish community during times of racial discrimination. Since Jews were one of the groups targeted by racial discrimination, they established this research institution so that talented faculty and individuals can gather together in one place without any racial bias. Now, it had grown into a major powerhouse of high-quality courses with a student body that is mostly made up of international students.

Amherst College is a well-established liberal arts college and one of the oldest learning institutions in Massachusetts. Less than 2,000 students are welcomed into its halls yearly, allowing for a small and optimal student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1.This undergraduate-exclusive institution offers a limited selection of 41 majors. Amherst College is well-ranked, placing 201st for English and Literature in the QS rankings, 22nd in the US by Times Higher Education, and 2nd among national liberal arts colleges by US News.

Williams College is a private university in Williamstown, Massachusetts that offers over 50 study programs in humanities and natural and social sciences. It was initially an all-men’s college when it was established in 1793 and started to admit women students in 1971. Williams College is also known as one of the oldest colleges in the United States.

UMass Chan Medical School is a leading public medical university in Massachusetts. Fully committed to cultivating healthcare professionals, the university offers world-class programs with high standards of teaching and research. UMass Chan continues to develop a broad range of medical programs, including its key discipline, primary care education. More so, the university has trained and aided numerous medical professionals and physicians who have successfully pursued careers in the healthcare industry.

The University of Massachusetts Boston is one of the five campuses that make up the University of Massachusetts system. It offers a supportive and diverse environment with smaller classes to encourage close interaction between faculty and students. It is also one of the leading universities in the US for research. 

Smith College is a liberal arts college for women that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. Although it is primarily for women, Smith’s accepts male students for its selected graduate programs. Smith College is a member of the college associations Seven Sisters colleges and Five College Consortium. Opportunities abound for its students, such as being able to study at its co-member institutions or participate in study abroad programs.

Mount Holyoke College is an excellent women’s college that participates in academic activities locally and globally. It is a human rights advocate that significantly promotes equality in this modern era. The university hopes to train more compassionate women graduates who have conviction in their principles.

Wellesley College is an all-women college for liberal arts located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. It was established in 1870 and has produced several women leaders who made a significant impact on society. The college offers Bachelor’s programs in different disciplines and also provides several study abroad opportunities to its students every year. 

Clark University is a private university named after Jonas Gilman Clark, the institution’s primary benefactor in its establishment in 1887. It started as a graduate and male-exclusive school before welcoming undergrads in 1902 and women in 1942. It is a prominent and well-ranked university with a small population and student-to-faculty ratio (10:1). There are various majors and programs to choose from.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private university well-known for its science, engineering, and technology programs. However, they have expanded the programs they offer over the years, and now students can also get a degree in humanities, arts, or social sciences. WPI uses Project-Based Learning for all its programs, mixing theory and practice with professional experiences. The university has a wide variety of mandatory projects that must be completed off-campus. All of this is complemented by the research opportunities available in different areas such as biotechnology, manufacturing, and robotics.

One of the University of Massachusetts members is the University of Massachusetts Lowell, which is among the largest schools in the state. This research-intensive institution welcomes more than 18,000 students into its five colleges annually. These students choose from around 200 degree-granting programs and certificate courses. UML is a well-ranked university, placing 191st among US institutions in the QS rankings.

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is one of the five campuses that make up the University of Massachusetts system. The university is widely recognized for its world-class education and impactful research in different areas of study. It has also conducted several strategic collaborations with other universities, business institutions, and non-profit organizations. 

Established in 1906, Suffolk University is a premier private institution known to be significantly influential in the city of Boston. The university offers countless opportunities for its students, from study abroad programs, training, internships, and networking events. In addition, its campus is located in downtown Boston where many international and large companies are situated. Students will have a high chance of building meaningful network connections with these prestigious firms. Of which will significantly benefit their future career paths.

Babson College is a private academic institution offering a wide range of study programs in business and entrepreneurship. Established in 1919, Babson College has a long history of excellence in entrepreneurial education. It is also known for its multiple collaborations with different industries where students can gain real-life experiences in the professional world. 

Simmons University was established over a hundred years ago with the primary intention of providing more opportunities for women. At present, the university offers undergraduate programs for women as well as co-ed graduate programs. Programs at the university are designed to encourage intellectual exploration and develop skills and values that  meet the needs of today’s industries.

Bentley University specializes in business programs but also offers arts and sciences courses for undergraduates. Its business analytics and marketing courses are among the best worldwide, ranking 51st by the QS rankings. Bentley’s expertise goes back to its roots as a school of accounting and finance in 1917 Boston. Since then, it has relocated and earned many accolades along the way.

One of the oldest Catholic universities in the US is the College of the Holy Cross. As a Catholic university, it is dedicated to equipping students with high standards of teaching that are aligned with Jesuit Catholic traditions. Throughout the years, the institution has concentrated on providing exceptional undergraduate programs in liberal arts. Some of its top-rated academic programs include political science, history, economics, and English.

Located in Boston, Emerson College is a private higher education institution that offers almost 30 undergraduate programs and 16 master’s degree programs in its two schools. Although its main campus is located in Massachusetts, this college has buildings in the Netherlands and a campus in Los Angeles, which gives the opportunity of taking classes and doing internships in Hollywood. Additionally, the college also offers many options to study abroad and has multiple programs that are taught online. It also has many extracurricular activities, with 130 student organizations and 14 athletics teams.