Boston's Student Population: Colleges And Universities

Boston is known for its colleges and universities, with Harvard and MIT leading the way. There are 44 institutions of higher education in the metropolitan area, including three junior colleges, 11 colleges that primarily grant baccalaureate and master's degrees, eight research universities, and 22 special-focus institutions. In 2023, the number of students enrolled in these colleges and universities ranged from 33 at Boston Baptist College to 36,624 at Boston University. The Boston area is also home to over 70 great colleges, many of which are world-renowned institutions. The city has a student population of 250,000, representing more than 50 colleges and universities.

Acceptance rates at Boston colleges

Boston is known for its outstanding colleges and universities, including several world-class institutions. There are over 60 colleges and universities in the Boston metropolitan area, with a range of acceptance rates.

Harvard University

Harvard, located in Cambridge, is one of the world's most prestigious institutions. It has an acceptance rate of 19% and a total student enrollment of 31,345.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT, also in Cambridge, is a world-renowned tech school with an acceptance rate of 11% and a total student enrollment of 11,934.

Boston University (BU)

BU is a private research university in Boston with an acceptance rate of 19% and a total student enrollment of 36,104, making it the largest school in the Boston area by enrollment.

Tufts University

Tufts, located in Medford and Somerville, is approximately 5 miles north of Boston. It has an acceptance rate of 11% and a total student enrollment of 13,293.

Northeastern University

Northeastern is a private research university close to downtown Boston with an acceptance rate of 18% and a total student enrollment of 28,167.

University of Massachusetts Boston

UMass Boston is the city's only public university and has an acceptance rate of 79% and a total student enrollment of 15,637.

Suffolk University

Suffolk is a private research university in Boston's Beacon Hill neighbourhood with an acceptance rate of 88% and a total student enrollment of 6,647.

Berklee College of Music

Berklee is a private music college in Boston with an acceptance rate of 55% and a total student enrollment of 7,943.

Bridgewater State University

Bridgewater State University is a public university located about 25 miles south of Boston. It has an acceptance rate of 86% and a total student enrollment of 9,942.

Other Boston-Area Colleges

Other colleges and universities in the Boston area include Babson College (acceptance rate: 22%), Boston College (acceptance rate: 17%), and Wellesley College (acceptance rate: 14%).

Boston colleges by size

Boston is known for its outstanding colleges and universities, including world-renowned institutions such as Harvard and MIT. There are over 70 colleges in the wider Boston area, including many world-class institutions.

In 2023, enrollment across colleges and universities in the Boston area ranged from just 33 students at Boston Baptist College to 36,624 at Boston University.

• Northeastern University
• Bunker Hill Community College
• University of Massachusetts
• Bridgewater State University
• Salem State University
• Northern Essex Community College
• North Shore Community College
• Framingham State University
• Massachusetts Bay Community College
• Berklee College of Music
• Wentworth Institute of Technology
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Roxbury Community College
• Eastern Nazarene College
• Boston Architectural College
• New England Law Boston
• Hult International Business School
• William James College
• School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
• New England College of Optometry
• Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
• Massachusetts School of Law
• Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
• Urban College of Boston
• Montserrat College of Art
• New England Conservatory
• Longy School of Music of Bard College
• Boston Graduate School of Psychoanalysis
• Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary
• Northpoint Bible College
• Andover Newton Theological School
• Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
• Saint John's Seminary
• Boston Babtist College
• Episcopal Divinty School
• Pope St. John XXIII National Seminary

Boston College, located just outside downtown Boston, has a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,575 (as of Fall 2023).

Private vs public colleges in Boston

Boston is known for its outstanding colleges and universities, with a mix of both public and private institutions. There are 44 institutions of higher education in the metropolitan area, 39 of which are private ventures and five are public institutions.

Private Colleges in Boston

Private colleges in Boston include world-renowned universities such as Harvard and MIT, which are located in Cambridge, as well as Tufts, located in Somerville. These three universities make up the "brainpower triangle" of greater Boston due to their large local and national influence.

Other top-rated private universities in the Boston area include Boston University, Northeastern University, and Wellesley College. Boston University is the fourth-largest private school in the country, with a ranking of #41 nationally. Northeastern University stands out for its emphasis on experiential learning, allowing students to work in their field for up to 18 months before graduating. Wellesley College, located in the Boston suburbs, is a top-ranked women's liberal arts college with notable alumni such as Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright.

Public Colleges in Boston

Public colleges in Boston are surprisingly few in number compared to private institutions. The University of Massachusetts system makes up four of the public universities in Boston, including UMass Boston and UMass Lowell. The Massachusetts College of Art and Design, or MassArt, is the city's only public college of art and design, located right in the heart of Boston.

Enrollment and Founding

In terms of enrollment, private colleges in Boston tend to have smaller student populations than public universities. For example, Boston Baptist College, a private institution, had an enrollment of 33 students in 2023, while Boston University, a public university, had 36,624 students.

Harvard University, a private institution, was the first to be founded in the Boston area and is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States. The most recently established institution in the area is Sattler College.

Boston colleges by type

Boston is known for its colleges and universities, including world-renowned institutions like Harvard and MIT. There are over 70 colleges in the Boston area, including 44 institutions of higher education within the "inner core" definition of Metropolitan Boston.

Research Universities

There are eight research universities in the Boston area, including Harvard, MIT, and Tufts, which make up the "brainpower triangle" of greater Boston.

Colleges that Grant Baccalaureate and Master's Degrees

There are 11 colleges in the Boston area that primarily grant baccalaureate and master's degrees. Boston College, located just outside downtown Boston, is one such college. It is a private institution with a total undergraduate enrollment of 9,575 (as of fall 2023), a suburban setting, and a 407-acre campus.

Special-Focus Institutions

There are 22 special-focus institutions in the Boston area. Berklee College of Music, the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology are examples of colleges with a specific focus.

Junior Colleges

There are three junior colleges in the Boston area. Bunker Hill Community College, Roxbury Community College, and Massachusetts Bay Community College are examples.

Boston colleges by location

Boston is known for its outstanding colleges and universities, with over 70 institutions in the area, including many world-renowned schools. While the city is best known for its top universities such as Harvard, MIT, and Tufts, there are many other excellent colleges and universities to consider when exploring the Boston area.

Boston Proper

Boston is home to several colleges and universities, ranging from large, well-known research universities to smaller, specialised institutions. Some of the notable colleges and universities located in Boston proper include:

• Northeastern University
• Boston University
• Suffolk University
• Simmons University
• Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
• Berklee College of Music
• Wentworth Institute of Technology
• Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Roxbury Community College
• New England Law | Boston
• Boston Architectural College
• Boston Baptist College
• Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology
• Urban College of Boston

Cambridge

Just across the Charles River from Boston lies the city of Cambridge, home to two of the most prestigious universities in the world: Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Both universities are easily accessible from Boston and are known for their strong academic programmes and vibrant campus cultures.

Somerville

Somerville, located just northwest of Boston, is home to Tufts University, which completes the "brainpower triangle" of Greater Boston, along with Harvard and MIT. Tufts has a campus in Somerville as well as a second campus located in downtown Boston's Chinatown, which houses the health sciences programmes.

Chestnut Hill

Located just southwest of Boston, Chestnut Hill is home to Boston College, a private research institution with a beautiful campus and a strong academic reputation. Boston College is known for its inclusive community culture and selective admissions process, accepting only 26% of applicants.

Medford

Medford, just outside of Boston, is home to Tufts University, which also has a campus in Somerville. Tufts is a well-regarded research institution with a strong liberal arts focus and a diverse range of academic programmes.

Wellesley

Wellesley College, located in the town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, is a top-ranked liberal arts college known for its academic excellence and beautiful campus. Wellesley offers a shuttle service to nearby Boston, providing students with easy access to the city's cultural and social offerings.

Other Nearby Locations

Other colleges and universities in the Boston area are spread across various towns and cities in Massachusetts, including:

• Brandeis University in Waltham
• Babson College in Wellesley
• Bentley University in Waltham
• University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell
• Lasell University in Newton
• Gordon College in Wenham
• Merrimack College in North Andover

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