The Best MBA Programs in Boston for 2026
The best MBA programs in Boston are the accredited schools that graduate their students and charge honestly for it, not the ones with the biggest name on the building. Hakia analyzed 24 accredited MBA programs in Boston and the surrounding metro and ranked 18 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes. Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $910 to $69,400 a year, a $68,490 spread for the same credential.
Tufts University leads with a 96.7 Hakia Score on a 94% graduation rate, at $69,146 a year. Across all 18 ranked MBA programs in Boston the average graduation rate is 74%, ranging from 49% to 98%. 3 of the 18 are public and 15 are private, a split that drives most of the price gap below. National median pay for the field is $105,770 a year per the BLS, the benchmark every school on this list feeds into regardless of what it charges.
Below is the full ranked table, followed by a school-by-school look at what actually separates the MBA programs in Boston: cost, completion, selectivity, and where the degree leads. This list covers Greater Boston, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table. Every figure is drawn from federal IPEDS and BLS data, and no school pays for placement.
Key Takeaways on the Best MBA Programs in Boston
- Tufts University ranks first among MBA programs in Boston with a 96.7 Hakia Score and a 94% graduation rate.
- Tuition across the 18 ranked MBA programs in Boston spans $910 to $69,400 a year, a $68,490 gap for the same credential.
- The 18 ranked MBA programs in Boston graduate 74% of students on average, from 49% to 98%.
- 3 of the 18 ranked schools are public, where the in-state rate is what Massachusetts residents actually pay.
- 9 of the 18 offer a confirmed online option, which matters in a city where commuting time is the real cost.
- National median pay in the field is $105,770 (BLS), the same benchmark whichever Boston school a student picks.
Hakia analyzed 24 accredited MBA programs in Boston and the surrounding metro reported to IPEDS, scoring each on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes, then ranked one entry per school on its strongest program. No school is rewarded for sticker price alone, and none pays for inclusion.
The 18 Best MBA Programs in Boston, Ranked for 2026
| # | Program | Type | In-state tuition | Grad rate | Admit rate | Hakia Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tufts UniversityMedford, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $69,146 | 94% | 11% | 96.7 |
| 2 | Boston UniversityBoston, MA | Nonprofit | $66,670 | 89% | 11% | 95.4 |
| 3 | Boston CollegeChestnut Hill, MA | Nonprofit | $69,400 | 91% | 16% | 94.9 |
| 4 | Babson CollegeWellesley, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $57,152 | 93% | 17% | 94.8 |
| 5 | Harvard UniversityCambridge, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $56,550 | 98% | 4% | 94.4 |
| 6 | Bentley UniversityWaltham, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $61,000 | 87% | 45% | 92.8 |
| 7 | Northeastern UniversityBoston, MA | Nonprofit | $64,990 | 91% | 5% | 89.4 |
| 8 | Endicott CollegeBeverly, MA | Nonprofit | $39,750 | 76% | 71% | 84.0 |
| 9 | University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA · online option | Public | $16,246 | 65% | 83% | 83.6 |
| 10 | Hult International Business SchoolCambridge, MA | Nonprofit | $53,448 | 67% | 60% | 81.9 |
| 11 | Regis CollegeWeston, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $49,680 | 72% | 70% | 81.9 |
| 12 | Suffolk UniversityBoston, MA | Nonprofit | $46,954 | 61% | 82% | 79.6 |
| 13 | Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $48,064 | 68% | 76% | 78.6 |
| 14 | Merrimack CollegeNorth Andover, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $49,352 | 70% | 70% | 78.5 |
| 15 | University of Massachusetts-BostonBoston, MA | Public | $15,278 | 49% | 84% | 76.2 |
| 16 | Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater, MA | Public | $910 | 53% | 88% | 75.0 |
| 17 | Lasell UniversityNewton, MA · online option | Nonprofit | $27,040 | 59% | 81% | 70.3 |
| 18 | Curry CollegeMilton, MA | Nonprofit | $45,370 | 51% | 88% | 69.7 |
The Top MBA Programs in Boston at a Glance
Each program scores 0 to 100 on the Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. Longer bars rank higher.
Inside the Top MBA Programs in Boston
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 94%
- Admit rate
- 11%
- In-state
- $69,146
- Out-of-state
- $69,146
Tufts graduates 94% of its students, above the 74% average across this ranking, on a 96.7 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 96.7, #1 of 18
- 94% graduation rate
- $69,146 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Medford, MA, Tufts is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #1 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 96.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That is the highest score in the ranking, well above the 84.3 group average. The program graduates 94% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. Tufts admits 11% of applicants, more selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 13,599 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Tufts charges $69,146 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Boston University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 89%
- Admit rate
- 11%
- In-state
- $66,670
- Out-of-state
- $66,670
BU graduates 89% of its students, above the 74% average across this ranking, on a 95.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 95.4, #2 of 18
- 89% graduation rate
- $66,670 tuition
- Largest campus in this ranking
BU is a private, nonprofit institution in Boston, MA. Its MBA program ranks #2 of the 18 analyzed here with a 95.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 84.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 1.3 points behind top-ranked Tufts. The program graduates 89% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. BU admits 11% of applicants, more selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 37,737 students.
On cost, BU charges $66,670 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 16%
- In-state
- $69,400
- Out-of-state
- $69,400
Boston College graduates 91% of its students, above the 74% average across this ranking, on a 94.9 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 94.9, #3 of 18
- 91% graduation rate
- $69,400 tuition
- Admits just 16% of applicants
Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #3 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 94.9 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 84.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 1.8 points behind top-ranked Tufts. The program graduates 91% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. Boston College admits 16% of applicants, more selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 15,432 students overall.
On cost, Boston College charges $69,400 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Babson College
Wellesley, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 93%
- Admit rate
- 17%
- In-state
- $57,152
- Out-of-state
- $57,152
Babson College graduates 93% of its students, above the 74% average across this ranking, on a 94.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 94.8, #4 of 18
- 93% graduation rate
- $57,152 tuition
- Online option available
Based in Wellesley, MA, Babson College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #4 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 94.8 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 84.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 1.9 points behind top-ranked Tufts. The program graduates 93% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. Babson College admits 17% of applicants, more selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 3,932 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Babson College charges $57,152 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 98%
- Admit rate
- 4%
- In-state
- $56,550
- Out-of-state
- $56,550
Harvard graduates 98% of its students, above the 74% average across this ranking, on a 94.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 94.4, #5 of 18
- 98% graduation rate
- $56,550 tuition
- Most selective program here
Based in Cambridge, MA, Harvard is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #5 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 94.4 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits above the 84.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 2.3 points behind top-ranked Tufts. The program graduates 98% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. Harvard admits 4% of applicants, more selective than the 53% average for the group. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 30,259 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Harvard charges $56,550 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Bentley University
Waltham, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 87%
- Admit rate
- 45%
- In-state
- $61,000
- Out-of-state
- $61,000
Bentley graduates 87% of its students, above the 74% average across this ranking, on a 92.8 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 92.8, #6 of 18
- 87% graduation rate
- $61,000 tuition
- Online option available
Bentley is a private, nonprofit institution in Waltham, MA. Its MBA program ranks #6 of the 18 analyzed here with a 92.8 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 84.3 group average, in the top third of the 18 ranked programs, 3.9 points behind top-ranked Tufts. The program graduates 87% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. Bentley admits 45% of applicants, more selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 5,333 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Bentley charges $61,000 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 5%
- In-state
- $64,990
- Out-of-state
- $64,990
Northeastern graduates 91% of its students, above the 74% average across this ranking, on an 89.4 Hakia Score.
- Hakia Score 89.4, #7 of 18
- 91% graduation rate
- $64,990 tuition
- Admits just 5% of applicants
Northeastern is a private, nonprofit institution in Boston, MA. Its MBA program ranks #7 of the 18 analyzed here with an 89.4 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits above the 84.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs, 7.3 points behind top-ranked Tufts. The program graduates 91% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. Northeastern admits 5% of applicants, more selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands among the strongest in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the larger campuses in the ranking, enrolling 32,553 students.
On cost, Northeastern charges $64,990 a year in-state. That puts it at the higher end on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is above-average completion paired with genuine selectivity.
Endicott College
Beverly, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- In-state
- $39,750
- Out-of-state
- $39,750
At $39,750 a year in-state, Endicott College is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 84.0 Hakia Score on a 76% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 84.0, #8 of 18
- 76% graduation rate
- $39,750 tuition
- Admits just 71% of applicants
Endicott College is a private, nonprofit institution in Beverly, MA. Its MBA program ranks #8 of the 18 analyzed here with an 84.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 76% of its students, above the 74% average across the ranked schools. Endicott College admits 71% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 4,394 students overall.
On cost, Endicott College charges $39,750 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with above-average completion.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- In-state
- $16,246
- Out-of-state
- $35,544
At $16,246 a year in-state, UMass Lowell is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding an 83.6 Hakia Score on a 65% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 83.6, #9 of 18
- 65% graduation rate
- $16,246 in-state vs $35,544 out-of-state
- Online option available
Based in Lowell, MA, UMass Lowell is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #9 of the 18 ranked here, earning an 83.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 65% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. UMass Lowell admits 83% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 16,598 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, UMass Lowell charges $16,246 a year in-state, roughly 2.2x the $35,544 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. The spread makes the program a clearer value for MA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
Hult International Business School
Cambridge, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 67%
- Admit rate
- 60%
- In-state
- $53,448
- Out-of-state
- $53,448
Hult International Business School ranks #10 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with an 81.9 Hakia Score and a 67% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 81.9, #10 of 18
- 67% graduation rate
- $53,448 tuition
- Admits just 60% of applicants
Hult International Business School is a private, nonprofit institution in Cambridge, MA. Its MBA program ranks #10 of the 18 analyzed here with an 81.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 67% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Hult International Business School admits 60% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,008 students.
On cost, Hult International Business School charges $53,448 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. It earns its place in the top 18 on the balance of cost, completion, and outcomes.
Regis College
Weston, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 72%
- Admit rate
- 70%
- In-state
- $49,680
- Out-of-state
- $49,680
Regis College ranks #11 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with an 81.9 Hakia Score and a 72% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 81.9, #11 of 18
- 72% graduation rate
- $49,680 tuition
- Online option available
Regis College is a private, nonprofit institution in Weston, MA. Its MBA program ranks #11 of the 18 analyzed here with an 81.9 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 72% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Regis College admits 70% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 2,517 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Regis College charges $49,680 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
Suffolk University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 61%
- Admit rate
- 82%
- In-state
- $46,954
- Out-of-state
- $46,954
At $46,954 a year in-state, Suffolk is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 79.6 Hakia Score on a 61% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 79.6, #12 of 18
- 61% graduation rate
- $46,954 tuition
- Admits just 82% of applicants
Based in Boston, MA, Suffolk is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #12 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 79.6 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the middle third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 61% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Suffolk admits 82% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 6,356 students overall.
On cost, Suffolk charges $46,954 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Emmanuel College
Boston, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 76%
- In-state
- $48,064
- Out-of-state
- $48,064
Emmanuel College ranks #13 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 78.6 Hakia Score and a 68% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 78.6, #13 of 18
- 68% graduation rate
- $48,064 tuition
- Online option available
Emmanuel College is a private, nonprofit institution in Boston, MA. Its MBA program ranks #13 of the 18 analyzed here with a 78.6 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 68% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Emmanuel College admits 76% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,983 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Emmanuel College charges $48,064 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 70%
- Admit rate
- 70%
- In-state
- $49,352
- Out-of-state
- $49,352
Merrimack College ranks #14 of the 18 mba programs in this analysis, with a 78.5 Hakia Score and a 70% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 78.5, #14 of 18
- 70% graduation rate
- $49,352 tuition
- Online option available
Based in North Andover, MA, Merrimack College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #14 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 78.5 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 70% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Merrimack College admits 70% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands in the middle of the pack in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 5,862 students overall. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Merrimack College charges $49,352 a year in-state. That puts it mid-pack on price on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its an online option.
University of Massachusetts-Boston
Boston, MA · Public
- Grad rate
- 49%
- Admit rate
- 84%
- In-state
- $15,278
- Out-of-state
- $37,495
At $15,278 a year in-state, UMass Boston is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 76.2 Hakia Score on a 49% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 76.2, #15 of 18
- 49% graduation rate
- $15,278 in-state vs $37,495 out-of-state
- Admits just 84% of applicants
Based in Boston, MA, UMass Boston is a public institution. Its MBA program lands at #15 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 76.2 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 49% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. UMass Boston admits 84% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 15,575 students overall.
On cost, UMass Boston charges $15,278 a year in-state, roughly 2.5x the $37,495 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. The spread makes the program a clearer value for MA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA · Public
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- In-state
- $910
- Out-of-state
- $7,050
At $910 a year in-state, Bridgewater State is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 75.0 Hakia Score on a 53% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 75.0, #16 of 18
- 53% graduation rate
- $910 in-state vs $7,050 out-of-state
- Lowest in-state tuition here
Bridgewater State is a public institution in Bridgewater, MA. Its MBA program ranks #16 of the 18 analyzed here with a 75.0 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 53% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Bridgewater State admits 88% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. The university enrolls 9,727 students overall.
On cost, Bridgewater State charges $910 a year in-state, roughly 8x the $7,050 out-of-state rate. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. The spread makes the program a clearer value for MA residents than for out-of-state students. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
Lasell University
Newton, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 59%
- Admit rate
- 81%
- In-state
- $27,040
- Out-of-state
- $27,040
At $27,040 a year in-state, Lasell is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 70.3 Hakia Score on a 59% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 70.3, #17 of 18
- 59% graduation rate
- $27,040 tuition
- Smallest campus in this ranking
Lasell is a private, nonprofit institution in Newton, MA. Its MBA program ranks #17 of the 18 analyzed here with a 70.3 Hakia Score, a composite of graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and graduate outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 59% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Lasell admits 81% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,668 students. The degree is also offered online, which widens access for working students.
On cost, Lasell charges $27,040 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the draw here is low in-state cost paired with an online option.
Curry College
Milton, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 51%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- In-state
- $45,370
- Out-of-state
- $45,370
At $45,370 a year in-state, Curry College is among the more affordable mba programs ranked here, holding a 69.7 Hakia Score on a 51% graduation rate.
- Hakia Score 69.7, #18 of 18
- 51% graduation rate
- $45,370 tuition
- Admits just 88% of applicants
Based in Milton, MA, Curry College is a private, nonprofit institution. Its MBA program lands at #18 of the 18 ranked here, earning a 69.7 Hakia Score that weighs graduation rate, cost, selectivity, and outcomes. That sits below the 84.3 group average, in the lower third of the 18 ranked programs. The program graduates 51% of its students, below the 74% average across the ranked schools. Curry College admits 88% of applicants, less selective than the 53% average for the group. That is more open than the 4% rate at Harvard, the most selective program on this list. Its completion rate lands toward the lower end in a group where graduation runs from 49% to 98%. It is one of the smaller campuses here, with 1,994 students.
On cost, Curry College charges $45,370 a year in-state. That puts it among the most affordable on this list, where annual in-state tuition runs from $910 at Bridgewater State to $69,400 at Boston College. As a private institution, its tuition does not change with residency, unlike the public universities on this list. For prospective students, the main draw here is its low in-state cost.
What MBA Programs in Boston Cost
Tuition across the 18 ranked schools runs from $910 to $69,400 a year. Bridgewater State University anchors the low end at $910 a year, while Boston College in Chestnut Hill sits at the top at $69,400. The cheapest public option among the MBA programs in Boston is Bridgewater State University at $910; the cheapest private is Lasell University in Newton at $27,040.
Over the two years the credential takes, that is roughly $1,820 in tuition at Bridgewater State University against about $138,800 at Boston College. Public figures here are the in-state resident rate, so an applicant moving to Boston from another state should read the out-of-state column before treating the cheap end of this list as cheap.
How Selective MBA Programs in Boston Are
Admission odds across the MBA programs in Boston are nowhere near uniform. Harvard University in Cambridge admits 4% of applicants, the tightest on this list, while Bridgewater State University admits 88%. A candidate with an uneven undergraduate record has real options here without leaving Boston.
That is an 84-point spread, wide enough that the MBA programs in Boston do not form a single tier. A file that is competitive at Bridgewater State University will not necessarily clear Harvard University in Cambridge, so applying across the range rather than within one band is the sensible strategy here. Completion does not follow the same order: Harvard University in Cambridge finishes 98% of its students, the strongest on this list on a 4% admit rate, which is why selectivity is one input to the Hakia Score rather than the score itself.
Accreditation Across Boston Business Schools
The MBA programs in Boston lean private: 15 of the 18 ranked schools are private against 3 public, which is most of why the tuition column above spans what it does. Accreditation is what makes those prices comparable at all. For an MBA the signal employers read is business-school accreditation from AACSB sitting on top of the university's institutional accreditation, and a private school charging $69,400 is not thereby carrying it. Confirm it on the school's own page: Lasell University in Newton at $27,040 and the priciest name on this list are held to the same standard.
Why Study for an MBA in Boston
The 18 ranked schools are spread across 13 towns, which makes "Boston" a looser description than the heading suggests. Tufts University in Medford tops the list, with Boston University and Boston College in Chestnut Hill behind it, and the table names the town of each. For a part-time cohort meeting on weeknights that spread is the deciding constraint: a campus an hour out is a different degree from one on the way home, whatever the ranking says.
9 of the 18 also run a confirmed online option, which keeps the credential but gives up most of the local access that justifies studying in Boston in the first place.
Careers and Pay After a Boston MBA
Every one of the MBA programs in Boston points toward the same national labor market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts national median pay for the field at $105,770 a year, a figure that describes the profession rather than any single school here, and it holds whether a graduate paid $910 at Bridgewater State University or $69,400 at Boston College. That is the tradeoff this ranking exists to expose: in the federal wage data, a higher price does not buy a higher salary.
Set against a single national benchmark, the 76-fold tuition spread on this page is the reason to look hard at the cheap end before the famous end. Bridgewater State University and Boston College in Chestnut Hill feed graduates into the same wage distribution, and nothing in the federal data attaches a higher salary to the higher price. Pay in a metro the size of Boston generally runs above the national median, and so does the cost of living that absorbs it. Full occupational detail, including job-growth projections and metro wage breakdowns, is published by the BLS.
MBA Programs in Boston: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best MBA program in Boston?
By Hakia Score, Tufts University ranks first among the 18 ranked MBA programs in Boston, with a 96.7 score and a 94% graduation rate. The score weighs graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes together, so the top school balances all four rather than winning on any one of them.
Do MBA programs in Boston require the GMAT?
Fewer of them every year, and the 18 ranked here are not uniform about it. Harvard University in Cambridge is the tightest on this list at 4% and Bridgewater State University the most open at 88%, so the answer depends on which of them a candidate is applying to. Many programs now waive the GMAT or GRE for applicants with several years of relevant work, and the terms differ program by program, so check them on each school's admissions page before registering for a test. A waiver saves the fee and the study time, and it does not loosen the rest of the file.
How much does an MBA cost in Boston?
Tuition among the ranked Boston schools runs from $910 to $69,400 a year. Public schools publish the in-state resident rate, so students moving in from another state should check the out-of-state column before comparing. Neither figure includes Boston living costs, which are a real part of the total.
How many MBA programs in Boston does this ranking cover?
We analyzed 24 accredited MBA programs across Boston and the surrounding metro and ranked the top 18 schools, listing one entry per school on its strongest program. This list covers Greater Boston, so some schools sit outside the city line; the city of each is shown in the table.
Is it worth doing an MBA in Boston instead of online?
9 of the 18 ranked schools run a confirmed online option, so in Boston this is a live choice rather than a hypothetical one. An accredited online program carries identical standing on a transcript, since accreditation attaches to the school and the program rather than to the delivery format. What a campus adds is proximity to the employers that school recruits into, and at $910 in-state, Bridgewater State University is what that proximity costs at the low end here. The honest comparison is local access against the cost of being here.
What salary can graduates expect?
The BLS reports a national median of $105,770 a year for the field. It is a national benchmark rather than a Boston figure or a promise from any school on this page. Its use is scale: the same median sits behind Bridgewater State University at $910 a year and Boston College in Chestnut Hill at $69,400, and that is the comparison worth making before committing to the second.
How the MBA Programs in Boston Are Scored
Every program earns a Hakia Score from 0 to 100, built only from federal data (IPEDS, the U.S. Department of Education, and BLS) and scored against its true peers: programs in the same field at the same degree level. No reputation surveys, no pay-to-play. Here is how the score is weighted:
- Outcomes44%
Graduation rate (26%) and real per-school graduate earnings (18%). Does the program get students to the finish line, and where do they land?
- Selectivity & academics38%
Admissions selectivity (24%) and the academic profile of admitted students (14%).
- Scale & value18%
Enrollment (7%), cost-to-earnings value (6%), and the number of graduates a program produces (5%).
Weights renormalize over the data each program actually reports, so a school missing a metric (many open-access colleges do not publish entrance scores or earnings) is never penalized for it. Scores are percentiles within the peer group, curved to a 0-to-100 scale. What the score does not measure: individual instructor quality, specific course content, or campus culture. Verify those directly with the program.