History and politics are etched into much of the Massachusetts capital of Boston, and the city also has a rich and prestigious history as a hub of higher education. Harvard is often considered a Boston school but is actually in the neighboring city of Cambridge.
That’s not to say Boston has any shortage of colleges and universities, and the whole city has a bit of a college-town feel. It’s lively, progressive, and full of things to do.
Universities in Boston, MA – 4-Year Colleges and Online
Boston University, UMass – Boston, and Boston College share the city’s name, but several other 4-year universities are within the city limits of Boston. Here are some of the more robust colleges, and below you can find some of the specialty 4-year colleges in Boston:
- Bay State University
- Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
- Boston Baptist
- Cambridge College
- Emerson College
- Emmanuel College
- MCPHS University
- Northeastern
- Simmons University
- Suffolk University
- Fisher College
- Wentworth IT
And here are some specialty colleges in Boston that offer bachelor’s degrees:
- Berklee College of Music
- Boston Architectural College
- The New England Conservatory of Music
- MA College of Art and Design
- MGH Institute of Health Professions
- New England College of Optometry
Community Colleges in Boston, MA
The college landscape is dominated by 4-year universities in Boston, but there are a few choices for community college and certification programs as well. The Urban College of Boston and Bunker Hill Community College give students the best opportunities to transfer to one of the larger colleges in Boston.
Get to Know Boston, MA
Boston is the biggest city in the state and brings with it all the metaphorical and literal bright lights. There is always something to do in Boston, and the live music scene is particularly appreciated by locals.
Boston is also touted for its public transit system, which can be very appealing to a college student about to go into debt. History and architectural beauty are in no short supply, and the ocean is a short drive, too.
| Institution Name | City | State | Website | Degree Levels Offered | Modality | Profit Status (CNTLAFFI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bay State College | Boston | MA | www.baystate.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Hybrid | No |
| Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology | Boston | MA | www.bfit.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Berklee College of Music | Boston | MA | www.berklee.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| Boston Architectural College | Boston | MA | www.the-bac.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Hybrid | No |
| Boston Baptist College | Boston | MA | Boston.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors |
Campus | No |
| Boston University | Boston | MA | www.bu.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Online | No |
| Bunker Hill Community College | Boston | MA | www.bhcc.mass.edu | Certificates Associates |
Hybrid | No |
| Cambridge College | Boston | MA | www.cambridgecollege.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Emerson College | Boston | MA | www.emerson.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Emmanuel College | Boston | MA | www.emmanuel.edu | Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| Empire Beauty School-Boston | Boston | MA | www.empire.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Fisher College | Boston | MA | www.fisher.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Online | No |
| Jupiter Beauty Academy | Boston | MA | www.jba.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Boston | MA | www.massart.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |
| MCPHS University | Boston | MA | www.mcphs.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| MGH Institute of Health Professions | Boston | MA | www.mghihp.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| New England College of Business and Finance | Boston | MA | www.necb.edu | No | ||
| New England College of Optometry | Boston | MA | www.neco.edu | Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| New England Law-Boston | Boston | MA | www.nesl.edu | Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| North Bennet Street School | Boston | MA | www.nbss.edu | Certificates |
Campus | No |
| Northeastern University | Boston | MA | www.northeastern.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Northeastern University Lifelong Learning Network | Boston | MA | www.northeastern.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Hybrid | No |
| Simmons University | Boston | MA | www.simmons.edu | Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| Suffolk University | Boston | MA | www.suffolk.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| The New England Conservatory of Music | Boston | MA | necmusic.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of Massachusetts-Boston | Boston | MA | www.umb.edu | Certificates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
Campus | No |
| University of Massachusetts-Central Office | Boston | MA | www.massachusetts.edu | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters Doctorate |
No | |
| Urban College of Boston | Boston | MA | www.urbancollege.edu | Certificates Associates |
Campus | No |
| Wentworth Institute of Technology | Boston | MA | WIT.EDU | Certificates Associates Bachelors Masters |
Campus | No |