Something special exists about the state of Massachusetts in regard to higher education. This is a state that is hidden at the northeast corner of New England, blending the old world grace with the youthful college atmosphere – cobblestone quads, state-of-the-art labs, loyal athletic competitors, and coffee shops with students studying with their books. I got the opportunity to tour the premises, meet some of the current students, sit in campus cafes, and get a firsthand feel of what each of these universities has to offer. Whether you are a prospective student, a parent about to visit the campus, or simply someone interested, here is a tour of the 5 best universities in Massachusetts, including their approximate tuition, location, and the true sense of the area.
Top Universities in Massachusetts
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology — Where Tomorrow’s Ideas Begin
2. Harvard University — History, Prestige & Ivy Charm
3. Northeastern University — Urban Energy & Real-World Experience
4. Boston University — Big City Campus & Global Outlook
5. University of Massachusetts Amherst — Big Campus, Big Opportunities
Top 5 Universities in Massachusetts
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
When one arrives at the MIT campus, it is like they have been taken to the playground of future thinkers. The legendary Great Dome is seen on the yards where students have to hurry to classes, discuss robotics in cafes and collaborative spaces, or work on startup ideas. I recall the time I had stepped into a student exhibition once- drones flying, robots standing on balls, and engineering students presenting their work with bright eyes. It was electric.
MIT is indeed an academic-focused school, yet a community exists. You will find professors talking to students in the courtyard, artist installations in between laboratories, and junior year engineers giving campus tours without any shame. And believe me, even though you might be there by merely visiting kids at college, there is much to set imaginations at work. Special programming of families is usually included in tours and open days.
Innovation does not just come here to learn, but it breathes.
Address: 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Tuition: ~$62,000/year (tuition & fees only) — plus room & board (~$17,000+), so total can approach $80,000+ annually (before aid).
2. Harvard University
If universities’ grandfathers, Harvard would be one of them – old, solemn, and full of anecdotes. It was established in 1636 and is currently the oldest higher learning institution in the United States. When walking around Harvard Yard, you would have the sense that you have entered the pages of a history book: beautiful brick structures, a shaded quadr, the statue of John Harvard, and students reading and drinking coffee.
I had come here on a bright fall day with one of my cousins, considering college. We passed libraries which resembled cathedrals of study, and entered a museum, shrub-covered, and finished up at Harvard Square, where the bookstores and cafes are a swarm of intellectual activity. Though the academics are worth questioning yourself in, the town is also a delightfully colorful one, ideal for a trip with the family to the university, where you want to consider studying.
Harvard is notorious for its generous financial aid; most of the students are now able to attend tuition-free, assuming that their families earn less than a specific income.
Address: Massachusetts Hall, Cambridge, MA 02138
Tuition: ~$60,000/year for tuition & fees (before room/board). Note: Harvard offers generous aid programs, including free tuition for many families earning below certain income thresholds.
3. Northeastern University
Northeastern is a knockout if you enjoy your university experience being urban, dynamic, and career-related. Its campus is located in the heart of the museums, concert halls, and urban life in the Fenway Cultural District in Boston. Students that I have interviewed testify to the co-op program – a systematic work-experience program that allows you to alternate semesters of study with paid professional placements. Imagine spending a semester in a classroom and the next in writing code in a technology start-up or researching business strategy in an international company; that is the Northeastern way.
During my visit, the university was electric with students eating in between classes, art murals covering the walkways, and professors taking a moment to talk to students between classes. The expectation-meets-opportunity aura of Northeastern is motivating to families whose teenagers are giving serious consideration to career and internship prospects.
Address: Columbus & Huntington Avenues, Boston, MA 02115
Tuition: Around $66,000/year (tuition & fees) — total cost with room/board can be ~$80,000+.
Child-friendly: Yes — exploratory tours often include interactive sessions on co-ops and student life.
4. Boston University
Boston University is an urban sprawl in Boston, a school-city collision. Imagine a campus, academic diversity, communications and arts, sciences and business, all of it compacted into a “walk everywhere” campus, a campus where the Charles River glitters in the sun. I recall following behind a tour of a friend of ours. I joined them, and the group first of all went around student centers, silent study gardens, and even a student art installation along the river. It was a big-city, but low-down feeling, Boston-wise.
BU has the most international image – and students mirror it. During at least one walk between lectures and laboratories, I heard people speaking at least three languages. It has something to offer everyone: research, sports, cultural organizations, and internship links throughout the flourishing economy of Boston. The university is expansive and vibrant, and has numerous family-friendly places – ideal for having parents and siblings following a university tour.
Address: 233 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215
Tuition: Around $68,000/year (tuition & fees only). Total cost, including housing and meals, can approach $90,000+/year, though aid often lowers the net cost.
Child-friendly: Yes — campus tours and community events make BU fun for visitors of all ages.
5. University of Massachusetts Amherst
It is not that all great schools have to be elite or private to be great – UMass Amherst is an example. This is a big college that combines big university ambiance with an inclusive and enthusiastic community. One spring weekend, when the weather was sunny, I went there and was surprised at the vivacity of the quad: soccer matches on the lawn, outdoor music, students relaxing with pets, and families looking at the open-house activities.
UMass is a research powerhouse, with environmental sciences, engineering, business, among others, and the tuition is really low compared to the private schools in this list, particularly when it comes to Massachusetts citizens. The campus is by itself a mini city and is surrounded by greenery: shaded paths, a picturesque observation deck, and plenty of space to run around with younger brothers or father during an open day.
Address: 140 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA 01003
Tuition (in-state): ~$16,000/year; out-of-state students pay more (~$35,000+ before aid). Public universities in Massachusetts also offer strong financial support programs for eligible in-state families.
Child-friendly: Yes — with beautiful green spaces, nature walks, and family-oriented campus events.
Choosing Your Massachusetts College Adventure
The reality behind Massachusetts universities? They are different worlds, both in terms of academic rigor and life, community, and real opportunities. Whether it is the innovation hubs of MIT, or the historic quads at Harvard, the urban vitality of Northeastern, the international melting pot atBU or the community vitality of UMass Amherst, there is something unique about each of these campuses.
Tips if you plan a visit:
Carry a comfortable pair of shoes; most of the campuses are easily covered by walking.
Book in advance to go on a check tour- lots have family open days.
Request assistance on the front end – places such as Harvard and UMass offer substantial financial assistance that can make the bills significantly reduced.
You imagine yourself working in a laboratory, a lecture hall, or on a bench by the river, having your laptop and latte, and Massachusetts has a college that is waiting to become your home.
About the Author
