The 2025 U.S. News & World Report rankings have been released, highlighting the continued prominence of Massachusetts institutions in American higher education. Two of the top three national universities, MIT and Harvard, are located in the state, while Williams College and Amherst College secured the first and second positions for national liberal arts colleges.
Key Takeaways
- MIT and Harvard University ranked second and third among national universities, respectively, just behind Princeton University.
- Williams College and Amherst College were named the top two national liberal arts colleges in the country.
- A total of 19 universities from Massachusetts were included in the national rankings, with six placing in the top 50.
- New England institutions demonstrated strong performance across both national university and liberal arts college categories.
Top National Universities Feature Strong Massachusetts Presence
In the highly anticipated list of best national universities, Massachusetts institutions once again secured top-tier positions. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) was ranked second, and Harvard University was ranked third, maintaining their exact placements from the previous year. Princeton University in New Jersey held the top spot for another year.
The top of the list showed stability, with Stanford University and Yale University tying for fourth place. The University of Chicago followed at number six. A four-way tie for seventh place included Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, Northwestern University, and the University of Pennsylvania, rounding out the top ten.
Six Massachusetts Schools in the Top 50
Beyond the top three, Massachusetts demonstrated significant depth in the national rankings. A total of 19 universities from the state were recognized on the list. Six of these institutions earned a spot within the top 50, underscoring the concentration of high-quality higher education in the region.
Following MIT and Harvard, Boston College and Tufts University were the next highest-ranked Massachusetts schools, both tying for 36th place. Boston University also placed in the top 50, coming in at 42nd, while Northeastern University was ranked 46th.
Massachusetts by the Numbers
With MIT and Harvard in the top three, Massachusetts is home to 20% of the top 10 universities in the nation when excluding ties. The state's 19 ranked national universities represent a significant portion of the overall list.
Liberal Arts Rankings Dominated by Massachusetts Colleges
Massachusetts institutions achieved the highest honors in the national liberal arts college category. Williams College, located in Williamstown, was named the number one liberal arts college in the United States. Amherst College followed immediately behind, securing the number two spot.
This one-two placement highlights the state's leadership in providing premier liberal arts education. The rankings in this category are closely watched by students seeking smaller, undergraduate-focused learning environments.
Other New England Liberal Arts Leaders
The strength of New England in liberal arts education extends beyond Massachusetts. Several other colleges in the region earned high marks:
- Bowdoin College in Maine was ranked 5th.
- Wellesley College in Massachusetts placed 7th.
- A three-way tie for 13th place included Middlebury College (Vermont), Smith College (Massachusetts), and Wesleyan University (Connecticut).
- Bates College and Colby College, both in Maine, tied for 24th.
- The College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts was ranked 27th.
This collective performance shows that New England remains a primary destination for students pursuing a liberal arts degree.
Full List of Ranked Massachusetts Universities
For prospective students and families, the complete list of Massachusetts schools on the U.S. News national universities ranking provides a comprehensive view of the state's offerings. The institutions range from large research universities to smaller private colleges.
Understanding the Ranking Factors
According to U.S. News, the rankings are based on numerous factors, including graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, academic reputation, financial resources per student, and student selectivity. These metrics are designed to provide a broad comparison of institutional quality.
The 19 Massachusetts universities ranked by U.S. News are:
- MIT (#2)
- Harvard University (#3)
- Boston College (#36 tie)
- Tufts University (#36 tie)
- Boston University (#42)
- Northeastern University (#46)
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (#64)
- Brandeis University (#69 tie)
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (#84)
- Clark University
- University of Massachusetts Lowell
- Simmons University
- University of Massachusetts Boston
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
- Springfield College
- Suffolk University
- Western New England University
- Lesley University
- American International College
New England's Overall Strong Performance
The 2025 rankings confirm New England as a powerhouse in American higher education. In addition to the numerous Massachusetts schools, other institutions from the region featured prominently in the top 100 national universities.
Yale University in Connecticut tied for fourth place, while Brown University in Rhode Island and Dartmouth College in New Hampshire both tied for 13th. The University of Connecticut also made the top 100, tying for 69th place alongside Brandeis University.
The consistent high placement of institutions from Massachusetts and the broader New England area reflects the region's long-standing commitment to academic excellence and innovation in higher education.
These rankings serve as a key resource for students navigating the college application process. While many factors contribute to a student's final decision, the U.S. News & World Report list remains an influential tool for comparing academic institutions across the country.
