MA Schools Rank Highly In U.S. News & World Best Colleges Ranking

The rankings evaluated 1,500 colleges and universities using more than a dozen measures of academic quality, the digital media company said in a news release. This year in its rankings, U.S. News prioritized social mobility — that is, its record in enrolling and graduating students from all backgrounds with manageable debt — and post-graduate success, including earnings.

Here are the rankings for Massachusetts schools in the national universities category:

Massachusetts has three schools in the top 10 when it comes to national liberal arts colleges, including Willaims (first) and Amherst (second), along with Wellesley, which ranks seventh. Smith College, ranked 14th, is another Massachusetts college in the top 20.

Included in the 2025 report are specialized rankings such as the best value schools, most innovative colleges, top performers on social mobility and historically Black colleges and universities, as well as universities with the greatest commitment to undergraduate teaching. Other specialty rankings include programs that enhance student experiences, including first-year experiences, service learning, studying abroad and undergraduate research and creative projects.

Massachusetts can claim some of the most innovative colleges in the country among national universities. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks third overall with Northeastern also in the top 10 at eighth. Harvard ranks 17th while Boston College ranks 19th.

Smith and Amherst College both find themselves in the top 20 of that category among national liberal arts colleges.