Table of Contents
Boston, the vibrant and historic city that’s home to some of the world’s most prestigious institutions. From Harvard to MIT, there’s no shortage of prestigious universities in Boston to choose from. But for many students, the cost of attending these schools can be daunting.
Fortunately, there are plenty of scholarships available for those determined to pursue higher education. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top universities and colleges in Boston and the scholarships they offer to help you make your academic dreams a reality.
Top 12 Universities and Colleges in Boston
1. Harvard University
Harvard University is one of the Ivy League universities in Boston. It is known for its rigorous academic programs and diverse student body. Some of Harvard’s most famous majors include economics, computer science, and government.
Additionally, the university boasts an impressive list of notable alumni, including eight U.S. presidents, 158 Nobel laureates, and 14 Turing Award winners.
While the cost of attending Harvard can be daunting, the university offers a generous need-based financial aid program that takes into account a family’s ability to pay.
2. Boston College
Founded in 1863, Boston College has a rich history and is widely recognized for its commitment to academic excellence as well as its emphasis on service and social justice. Some of the most popular majors at Boston College include finance, biology, and political science.
The university offers a number of scholarship opportunities to help make its education more affordable for students, including:
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship for African-American students who demonstrate a commitment to racial equality;
- Saint Oscar A. Romero Scholarship for Hispanic students who demonstrate a commitment to social justice; and
- Benigno and Corazon Aquino Scholarship for Asian-American students who demonstrate a commitment to democracy and human rights.
3. Tufts University
This private research university is known for its excellent academic programs, with some of the most popular majors including international relations, computer science, and biomedical engineering.
The university has a highly competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 11.4%. However, Tufts offers a number of scholarship opportunities to make its education more accessible, including merit scholarships.
Merit scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and community service. This helps ensure that talented students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to attend Tufts.
4. Simmons University
Simmons University is a private, women’s college located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1899 and is named after John Simmons, a successful businessman and philanthropist.
Some fun facts about Simmons University include its ranking as the 5th most diverse college in the United States and its status as the first college in the United States to establish a nursing program with a clinical component.
The university offers a number of scholarship opportunities to help make its education more affordable for students, including the Presidential Scholarship for high-achieving students, the Dean’s Scholarship for students with exceptional academic records, and the Achievement Scholarship for those who have demonstrated exceptional leadership or community service.
5. Northeastern University
Founded in 1898, Northeastern University has a long history of providing students with experiential learning opportunities that integrate classroom study with real-world experiences.
The university is known for its commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and global engagement, and has a large international student population. Northeastern is proud to be one of the top universities in Boston for international students, with students from more than 140 countries.
Additionally, it offers a number of scholarship opportunities to help make its education more affordable for students, including scholarships for first-year and current students based on academic achievement and financial need.
6. Suffolk University
It is easy to see why Suffolk University is one of the best universities in Boston. The private university is known for its strong commitment to academic excellence and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for the real world.
Suffolk University has a diverse student body and is recognized for its strong programs in business, law, and journalism. In addition to its rigorous academic programs, Suffolk also offers a number of scholarships to help make its education more affordable for students.
These scholarships include undergraduate and graduate awards. By offering a variety of scholarship opportunities, Suffolk University is committed to making a quality education accessible to all talented and dedicated students.
7. Massachusetts College of Art and Design
The Massachusetts College of Art and Design, also known as MassArt, is a public liberal arts college founded in 1873. It is one of the oldest art schools in the United States and is highly regarded for its creative and innovative programs.
The college has produced many notable alumni, including graphic designer Paul Rand, photographer Nan Goldin, and animator Chris Buck.
MassArt offers a number of scholarship opportunities to make its education more accessible to students, including merit scholarships for Massachusetts, New England, out-of-state, and international applicants.
8. Brandeis University
Brandeis University is a private research university located in Waltham, just outside of Boston. The university is known for its strong liberal arts program, research excellence, and commitment to social justice.
Additionally, Brandeis is home to a vibrant and diverse student body, with students from more than 100 countries.
The university offers a number of scholarship opportunities to help make its education more affordable for students, including Brandeis-Sponsored Merit Scholarships, which are awarded based on academic merit and range in value from $10,000 to $20,500 annually.
9. Bunker Hill Community College
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) is a public, two-year college located in Boston. Founded in 1973, it is one of the largest community colleges in the state and has earned a reputation for providing quality education and a supportive environment for students.
The college is known for its diverse student body, innovative programs, and commitment to meeting the changing needs of the community, making it one of the best public universities in Boston.
BHCC offers a wide range of scholarships to help students afford their education. In fact, it has one of the most robust scholarship programs among the colleges on this list, with over 20 BHCC scholarships available to students!
10. Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Community College (RCC) is a public two-year college located in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The college has a 100% acceptance rate, meaning that all students who apply are admitted to the college. If you are looking for colleges in Boston with high acceptance rates, RCC is one of them.
RCC is known for providing a supportive and inclusive environment for students and has a strong commitment to helping students succeed in their academic and career goals.
The college offers a number of scholarships to help make education more affordable for students. These include merit-based scholarships, need-based scholarships, and scholarships for new RCC students.
11. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, commonly referred to as MIT, is known for its rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research in engineering, science, and technology.
Many notable alumni have graduated from MIT, including astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Sally Ride, physicist Richard Feynman, and engineer and entrepreneur Elon Musk. In addition to its academic reputation, MIT is consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the world.
The university is committed to providing access to education for all students and offers a number of scholarships to make higher education more affordable. Approximately 58% of MIT undergraduates receive MIT Scholarships. In fact, the average MIT Scholarship was $53,997 in the 2021-2022 academic year.
Final Verdicts
Boston is a city with a rich history and vibrant academic culture, and its universities and colleges are among the best in the world. From Ivy League schools like Harvard to smaller community colleges like Roxbury Community College, Boston has something for everyone.
As this guide has shown, there are plenty of scholarship opportunities at these universities in Boston, with many schools offering need-based and merit-based awards to help students afford the cost of tuition.
By providing financial aid and support to students, these universities and colleges are committed to helping students achieve their academic and career goals. Whether you’re interested in pursuing a degree in science, technology, the arts, or another field, there’s a school in Boston that can help you get there.
