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Small Colleges in Massachusetts

50 schools in Massachusetts. See our methodology.

Franklin W Olin College of Engineering stands out among Massachusetts small colleges with its remarkable combination of selectivity and graduate earning potential. With just 373 students, this Needham institution achieves a 92.2% graduation rate while graduates earn $129,455 annually, second only to MIT in the state. The earnings gap between top and bottom performers spans nearly $86,000, reflecting Massachusetts' economy where biotech and healthcare companies around Boston create vastly different career trajectories. Williams College demonstrates how elite liberal arts education translates to strong outcomes, with a 96.6% graduation rate despite a net price of just $14,852. Meanwhile, specialized institutions like Massachusetts Maritime Academy prove that focused training pays off, with 79.1% of graduates earning $82,392 in maritime and related industries. Small colleges here benefit from proximity to major employers like Biogen, Moderna, and countless startups that actively recruit from these tight-knit campuses. The state's concentration of research hospitals and tech companies means even graduates from schools with modest acceptance rates find strong employment opportunities, though the $32,000 spread in net prices shows the importance of matching financial resources to institutional choices.
50
Schools
$23,051
Avg. Net Price
$66,922
Avg. Earnings
60.4%
Avg. Graduation Rate

Small Colleges in Massachusetts

College listings
# School Enrollment Net Price Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 4,571 $19,813 96.1% 4.0%
2 373 $20,575 92.2% 19.1%
3 2,696 $38,876 92.4% 22.4%
4 2,060 $14,852 96.6% 8.5%
5 4,288 $38,787 88.2% 57.9%
6 2,318 $25,008 91.2% 13.6%
7 1,907 $18,246 93.4% 7.3%
8 1,270 $26,661 79.1% 89.4%
9 3,015 $36,868 89.6% 36.4%
10 3,474 $35,084 63.3% 88.3%
11 2,501 $26,181 89.7% 22.9%
12 3,663 $33,885 86.1% 39.4%
13 4,145 $46,766 79.3% 42.8%
14 412 $16,172 47.2%
15 2,198 $29,562 85.0% 39.8%
16 2,477 $29,969 80.8% 73.4%
17 3,963 $14,738 55.5% 87.7%
18 3,481 $18,561 54.9% 81.5%
19 2,336 $27,711 77.1% 50.3%
20 3,641 $34,170 68.6% 92.3%
21 89 $27,662 50.8%
22 1,812 $23,764 69.2% 78.6%
23 3,101 $39,324 75.4% 73.3%
24 4,043 $37,899 72.1% 74.6%
25 1,664 $28,853 74.6% 82.3%
26 269 $37,891 38.5%
27 2,825 $15,432 52.7% 86.1%
28 4,286 $18,441 55.0% 92.7%
29 195
30 4,658 $3,694 22.7%
31 1,750 $27,313 71.2% 76.5%
32 49 $14,334 44.4% 57.9%
33 2,556 $16,698 49.5% 87.4%
34 3,699 $7,718 23.7%
35 2,554 $8,651 29.1%
36 3,164 $6,860 31.8%
37 1,874 $31,569 65.8% 79.7%
38 3,156 $7,388 15.6%
39 2,126 $14,317 16.6%
40 1,247 $24,817 67.6% 91.8%
41 2,508 $31,170 63.9% 88.0%
42 2,223 $8,403 21.6%
43 1,152 $24,944 53.2% 73.2%
44 3,965 $8,196 27.0%
45 4,055 $7,321 17.7%
46 1,744 $30,934 75.7% 79.5%
47 748 $18,707 49.1% 92.5%
48 3,350 $3,971 19.0%
49 371 $42,556 77.8% 37.6%
50 1,100 $8,177 22.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Franklin W Olin College of Engineering unique among small Massachusetts colleges?

With only 373 students, Olin achieves extraordinary outcomes through its project-based engineering curriculum. Graduates earn $129,455 annually, ranking second statewide behind only MIT. The college maintains a 92.2% graduation rate while accepting just 19.14% of applicants, creating an intimate learning environment where students work directly with faculty on real-world engineering challenges.

How do graduation rates vary among small colleges in Massachusetts?

Graduation rates span from 47.2% to 96.6%, with Williams College leading at the top. MIT and Williams both exceed 96%, while specialized schools like Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute struggle at 47.2%. Liberal arts colleges like Amherst (93.4%) and Wellesley (91.2%) consistently outperform technical institutes and larger universities in completion rates.

Is attending a small Massachusetts college worth the cost?

Net prices range from $14,738 to $46,766, but earnings potential varies dramatically. Williams College offers the best value at $14,852 with graduates earning $88,665. However, Emerson College charges $46,766 for graduates earning just $62,832. Engineering and business-focused schools typically provide stronger return on investment than arts-oriented institutions.

Does school size affect acceptance rates at Massachusetts colleges?

Smaller schools show extreme variation in selectivity. MIT with 4,571 students accepts just 3.96% of applicants, while Massachusetts Maritime Academy enrolls 1,270 students but accepts 89.4%. Tiny Olin College with 373 students maintains moderate selectivity at 19.14%, suggesting that specialized programs can be selective regardless of enrollment size.

Where do small college graduates find employment in Massachusetts?

The state's biotech corridor around Cambridge and Boston employs many graduates, with companies like Biogen and Moderna recruiting heavily. Engineering graduates often join defense contractors or startups, while business school alumni frequently work in financial services. Healthcare systems throughout the state also hire extensively from local colleges, particularly those with strong science programs.

What types of small colleges perform best academically in Massachusetts?

Liberal arts colleges dominate the top performers, with Williams (96.6%), Amherst (93.4%), and Wellesley (91.2%) leading graduation rates. Engineering schools like MIT (96.1%) and Olin (92.2%) also excel. Business-focused institutions like Babson (92.4%) and Bentley (88.2%) maintain strong completion rates while delivering high graduate earnings above $120,000.

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See our methodology for details on rankings and data sources.