Best Universities in Boston City Area, USA: Tuition Fees, Courses & More
Boston is one of the oldest cities in the USA, renowned for its magnificent history and cultural awareness. It is the capital and largest city of Massachusetts, as well as the leading city in the New England region. In 2024, Boston became the 14th-best student city in the world and the top-ranked student city in the USA, surpassing New York.
This achievement is attributed to its world-class universities, historical charm, and vibrant student life.
In this blog, we discuss the best universities in Boston, the popular courses they offer, and how to choose the right one for yourself.
Best Universities in Boston
- Below, we have tabulated the list of best universities in Boston, along with their average tuition fees per year.
- These best universities in Boston charge around USD 30,000-60,000 or INR 26 Lakhs-51 Lakhs per year, depending on the course level, course, and the university
| University | Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | USD 56,550 (INR 48 Lakhs) |
| Boston University | USD 69.870 (INR 59 Lakhs) |
| Northeastern University | USD 46,575 (INR 39 Lakhs) |
| Boston College | USD 60,000 (INR 51 Lakhs) |
| Suffolk University | USD 30,946 (INR 26 Lakhs) |
| Emmerson College | USD 57,000 (INR 48 Lakhs) |
| University of Massachusetts, Boston | USD 38,620 (INR 33 Lakhs) |
Harvard University
Harvard University is the world’s most prestigious academic institution. Primarily, the university is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts but it also has its campus in Boston. The annual tuition fee at Harvard University is around USD 56,550 or INR 48 Lakhs, depending on the course level and programs.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 4 |
|---|---|
| US News & World Report 2024 | 3 |
| Acceptance Rate | 4% |
| Number of Students | 24,596 |
| 5 Popular Programs | Business Administration & Management Political Science Law Computer Science Economics |
| Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) | USD 60,000-85,000 or INR 52 Lakhs-75 Lakhs |
Boston University
Founded in 1839, Boston University became the best internationally recognised institution of higher learning and research in the USA. It comprises 17 schools and colleges, offering 300 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and special degree programs. It is among the largest independent universities in the USA.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 108 |
|---|---|
| US News & World Report 2024 | 73 |
| Acceptance Rate | 10% |
| Number of Students | 37,000 |
| 5 Popular Programs | Business Administration & Management Communication Computer Sciences Social Work Health Sciences |
| Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) | USD 69.870 (INR 59 Lakhs) |
Northeastern University
Northeastern University is a prestigious private research institution known for its innovative approach to education. Renowned for its experiential learning model, Northeastern integrates rigorous academics with real-world experience through co-op programs, internships, and global opportunities.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 396 |
|---|---|
| US News & World Report 2024 | 227 |
| Acceptance Rate | 6% |
| Number of Students | 38,000 |
| 5 Popular Programs | Business Administration & Management Computer Science Engineering Marketing Health Sciences |
| Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) | USD 46,575 (INR 39 Lakhs) |
Boston College
Boston College is one of the USA’s foremost institutions of higher learning and research in the Boston area. It is renowned for providing liberal arts education, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 631 |
|---|---|
| US News & World Report 2024 | 534 |
| Acceptance Rate | 15% |
| Number of Students | 35,487 |
| 5 Popular Programs | Biology Business Analytics Computer Sciences Finance Social Work Health Science |
| Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) | USD 60,000 (INR 51 Lakhs) |
Suffolk University
Suffolk University is a private institute of higher learning and research, located in Boston’s main area. It was founded in 1906 and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. It has 3 main departments- law school, college of arts and sciences, and business school.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | - |
|---|---|
| US News & World Report 2024 | 259 |
| Acceptance Rate | 85% |
| Number of Students | 6,473 |
| 5 Popular Programs | Accounting Business Management Computer Science Finance Political Science |
| Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) | USD 30,946 (INR 26 Lakhs |
Emmerson College
Emmerson College is one of the best universities in Boston due to its strong focus on hands-on learning, industry connections, and vibrant and creative environment. The institute is renowned for offering arts and liberal arts courses.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | - |
|---|---|
| US News & World Report 2024 | 19 |
| Acceptance Rate | 48% |
| Number of Students | 5,647 |
| 5 Popular Programs | Cinematography Creative Writing Film/Video Production Journalism Marketing |
| Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) | USD 57,000 (INR 48 Lakhs) |
University of Massachusetts, Boston
The University of Massachusetts Boston (UMass Boston) is a prestigious public university in Boston, Massachusetts. As the only public university in the city, UMass Boston is known for its diverse student body, strong academic programs, and commitment to research and community engagement.
| QS World University Rankings 2025 | 1000 |
|---|---|
| US News & World Report 2024 | 675 |
| Acceptance Rate | 83% |
| Number of Students | 16,000 |
| 5 Popular Programs | Business Management & Administration Nursing Science Psychology Biology Criminal Justice & Safety Studies |
| Average Tuition Fees (Per Year) | USD 38,620 (INR 33 Lakhs) |
Popular Courses in Best Universities in Boston
Some of the popular courses in the best universities in the Boston area are listed below
- Accounting
- Business Management & Administration
- Computer Science & Information Technology
- Criminal Justice & Law
- Creative Writing
- Film Making & Video Production
- Finance
- Health Sciences
- Marketing
- Social Work
How to Choose the Best Universities in Boston?
Choosing the best universities in the Boston area involves considering several factors such as academic interest, university reputation, cost, location, etc. Let’s discuss them one by one.
- Identify your field of interest and research the universities in Boston that offer the programs around it.
- Check out the range of degree programs offered by universities in your field of interest by visiting their websites.
- Look at QS World University Rankings and US News & World Report to gauge the university’s reputation in terms of global rankings, student satisfaction rate, student-teacher ratio, etc.
- Check and compare the tuition fees.
- Check the university’s connections to industries in Boston and how these can benefit your career.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
Studying at top universities in Boston, such as Harvard University (Boston campus), University of Massachusetts Boston, Northeastern University, Boston College, and others, offers exposure to world-class education with hands-on experiences across various fields of interest.
These institutions provide a blend of academic excellence, cutting-edge research opportunities, and industry connections, preparing students to excel in their chosen careers. With Boston being a hub for innovation, healthcare, finance, and technology, students also benefit from internships, networking events, and collaborations with leading global organisations, enhancing their practical skills and career prospects.
FAQs
What are the good universities in Boston for master’s degree courses?
Some of the best universities in Boston for master’s degree programs are Harvard University (Boston Campus), Boston University, Northeastern University, Boston College, University of Massachusetts, Suffolk University, etc.
What are the best universities in Boston for computer science programs?
The best universities in Boston for computer science majors are Harvard University (Boston Campus), Boston University, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts.
What is the cost of studying in Boston’s universities?
The cost of study in the universities of Boston ranges between USD 30,000-60,000 or INR 26 Lakhs-51 Lakhs per year, depending on the course level, course, and the university.
What is the cost of living in Boston for international students?
The cost of living in Boston for international students ranges between USD 2,286-3,000 or INR 1.85 Lakhs-2.56 Lakhs per month, depending on the location and lifestyle preferences of the students.
How much does it cost to attend engineering programs in Boston’s universities
The cost of engineering programs in Boston’s universities varies hugely, depending on the degree course, branch, institute, and degree level. However, the average cost ranges between USD 30,000-56,000 or INR 25 Lakhs-47 Lakhs per year
