Massachusetts Colleges with the Lowest Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate of the 53 Massachusetts colleges that have competitive admission is 64.03% for the academic year 2023-2024. Compared to last year, the acceptance rate is lower by 0.51%. The acceptance rate at 23 Massachusetts colleges increased and the rate of 30 colleges decreased.

Harvard University has the lowest (i.e. hard to admit) acceptance rate of 3.00%. Northeastern University (6.00%) and Amherst College (10.00%) are following it in the list of Tightest Massachusetts Colleges to get in.

This ranking is only based on acceptance rates and more admission stats such as SAT and ACT scores are helpful to measure the chances to get in more accurately.

Harvard University stays at first place of the lowest acceptance rate ranking since last year. Northeastern University also maintained its second place in the ranking.

The average undergraduate tuition & fees of the schools is $64,179 and graduate tuition & fees is $51,347 for the academic year 2023-2024.

We note that the actual tightness of admission lies in considering other admission requirements such as SAT score.
Table. Tightest Massachusetts Colleges To Get In Comparison
School NameAcceptance RateYieldSAT ScoreUndergraduate Tuition & FeesTotal PopulationGraduation RateStudents to Faculty Ratio
1
-
Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate, 4-year 3.00%
0.24%
84.02%1,550$59,07630,63197.00%7 to 1
2
-
Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate, 4-year 6.00%
0.80%
50.00%1,500$63,14130,01391.00%16 to 1
3
-
Amherst College Amherst, MAPrivate, 4-year 10.00%
2.74%
38.96%1,500$67,2801,89891.00%7 to 1
3
2
Tufts University Medford, MAPrivate, 4-year 10.00%
0.31%
50.00%1,510$67,84413,43193.00%10 to 1
3
1
Williams College Williamstown, MAPrivate, 4-year 10.00%
1.50%
46.99%1,530$64,8602,22295.00%6 to 1
6
1
Boston University Boston, MAPrivate, 4-year 11.00%
3.37%
36.00%1,470$65,16836,71488.00%11 to 1
7
1
Wellesley College Wellesley, MAPrivate, 4-year 14.00%
0.43%
50.00%1,510$64,3202,44790.00%7 to 1
8
-
Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate, 4-year 16.00%
0.66%
41.00%1,490$67,68015,28790.00%12 to 1
9
-
Smith College Northampton, MAPrivate, 4-year 20.00%
2.86%
32.98%1,480$61,5682,87388.00%8 to 1
10
-
College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MAPrivate, 4-year 21.00%
15.36%
44.98%1,340$60,8503,08391.00%10 to 1
Average12.10%47.49%1,488$64,17913,86091.40%9 to 1