The Best MBA Programs in Boston for 2027
Key Points: Best MBA Programs in Boston
- Tufts University ranks #1 in the Boston area on a 96.7 Program Score, with a 94% graduation rate.
- The hardest to get into is Northeastern University (#4), which admits 5% of applicants.
- Private schools hold most of the places on this list.
- Programs analyzed
- 24
- Schools ranked
- 8
- Average graduation rate
- 78%
We analyzed 24 accredited MBA programs in Boston and the surrounding metro and ranked 8 schools on graduation rate, selectivity, cost, and outcomes.
Tufts University leads with a 96.7 Program Score on a 94% graduation rate. Across all 8 ranked MBA programs in Boston the average graduation rate is 78%, ranging from 53% to 94%. 2 of the 8 are public and 6 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.
The Top MBA Programs in Boston at a Glance
Tufts leads at 96.7, and Bridgewater State closes the chart at 75.0. Longer bars rank higher.
How the MBA Programs in Boston Are Scored
Each Program Score runs from 0 to 100: outcomes count for 44%, selectivity and academics for 38%, and scale and value for 18%, all from federal data. See how the weights work.
The 8 Best MBA Programs in Boston, Ranked for 2027
The 8 best MBA Programs in Boston, ranked by outcomes.
Tufts University
Medford, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 94%
- Admit rate
- 11%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Tufts University's Fletcher Executive Master of International Business is fully online for professionals with eight or more years of experience, with two in-person immersions.
- 94% graduation rate
- Program Score 96.7
- Fully online, 8+ years experience
- Immersions in Boston and abroad
Tufts University's Fletcher School offers the Executive Master of International Business Online, previously called the Global Business Administration degree. The page describes it as taking the core of a global MBA and adding the contextual intelligence of international affairs. It is designed for students with eight or more years of experience and is delivered online, with coursework completed on the student's own schedule, full time or part time. Two in-person immersions bring students together, one in Boston and one in an international city. The program is built to help working professionals pivot or accelerate toward their career goals, and it connects them with an international network of peers.
Tufts graduates 94% of its students and admits 11% of applicants, making the university highly selective. The program earned a Program Score of 96.7 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits experienced managers who want MBA-level rigor with a global affairs perspective while continuing to work, and who can travel for two short residencies. Because the schedule is flexible and the cohort is made up of experienced professionals, it is a weaker fit for students who want a traditional campus year straight after an undergraduate degree.
Boston University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 89%
- Admit rate
- 11%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Boston University offers the MBA in full-time (64 units), part-time (55 units) and online formats, with a Health Sector Management major available.
- 89% graduation rate
- Program Score 95.4
- Full-time, part-time and online formats
- 64-unit full-time curriculum
Boston University's Master of Business Administration at the Questrom School of Business comes in three formats: Full-Time, Part-Time and Online. Most students earn a major in Business Administration, while Full-Time and Part-Time students may instead pursue Health Sector Management, Management Science or Social Impact, and Full-Time students may add a dual degree with the MS in Digital Technology. The Full-Time General Management curriculum is 64 units, typically completed in two years, with a core in financial reporting, marketing, operations, analytics and strategy, plus a required Action Learning elective and eleven additional electives. The Part-Time curriculum is 55 units, with 31 units of core and 24 of electives, typically finished in three years and no later than six years after matriculation.
Boston University graduates 89% of its students and admits 11% of applicants. The Program Score is 95.4 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. The format choices suit both people who can study full time for two years and working professionals who need an evening-style part-time path, and the optional majors suit those with a health sector or social impact focus.
Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
A Carroll School MBA offered full time over two years or part time in about three, with a data analytics sequence for all students.
- 91% graduation rate
- Program Score 94.9
- Full-time or part-time
- Data analytics sequence
The Boston College MBA from the Carroll School of Management comes in two pathways that lead to one degree. The Full-Time MBA is a two-year, on-campus program with small classes and elective choices that let students tailor the degree. The Part-Time MBA offers evening and online courses for people who keep working; students take two courses per semester on average and finish in about three years, and eligible candidates may earn advanced standing credit or waive some core courses. Every student takes the BC MBA data analytics sequence, designed so graduates can work with data across functions and industries. The page highlights experiential learning, diverse cohorts, and graduates working at employers such as Citi and Fidelity Investments.
Federal data show a 91% graduation rate and a 16% admit rate, so admission is highly selective. The program earned a Program Score of 94.9 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking. It fits applicants who want a general management MBA with the choice of an immersive full-time schedule or a part-time route that fits around a job.
Northeastern University
Boston, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 91%
- Admit rate
- 5%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Northeastern University's MS in Management (MS x) lets students specialize through one of 15 concentrations while personalizing core coursework, in a program accredited by AACSB International.
- 91% graduation rate
- Program Score 89.4
- 15 concentrations
- Full-time or part-time
Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business offers the Master of Science in Management, branded MS x. The program pairs a personalizable core, covering the basics of accounting and finance, data presentation and analysis, and a customer orientation, with specialized expertise in a chosen concentration. The page says students can pick from 15 concentrations. It lists a Boston campus with on-ground delivery, full-time or part-time study, a duration of one to two years, and a fall entry term. The school reports accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International and describes the approach as experience-powered learning grounded in foundational business knowledge.
Northeastern reports a 91% graduation rate and admits about 5% of applicants, making it highly selective. The program's Program Score is 89.4 out of 100, the basis of its ranking. It fits students who want a broad management degree with room to tailor courses to their background and goals, and who can choose between a one-year full-time pace and a longer part-time schedule. The page also notes that the program meets F-1 visa requirements for international students.
Endicott College
Beverly, MA · Nonprofit
- Grad rate
- 76%
- Admit rate
- 71%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Endicott College's evening MBA is a 36-credit part-time program that the school says can be finished in as little as 18 months.
- 76% graduation rate
- Program Score 84
- 36 credits, as little as 18 months
- Online, hybrid or in-person evening classes
Endicott College offers an evening master of business administration designed for working professionals. The program is part-time at 36 credits, with starts in fall, spring and summer, and courses are available online, hybrid or in person at the Beverly, Massachusetts campus. The school says students can finish in as little as 18 months. The 18-credit core covers managing in the evolving workplace, financial management and control, operations management, business policy and strategy, and business intelligence and data mining, plus a project management course. Students then choose a four-course concentration such as entrepreneurship, events management, general management, healthcare, human resources, non-profit management, public administration or sustainability and ESG. A second concentration is allowed and brings the total to 24 elective credits.
Federally, 76% of students graduate from Endicott, and the college admits 71% of applicants. The program's Program Score of 84 out of 100 is the basis of its ranking. It suits employed adults who want to upskill, change fields or advance while keeping a job, and who value a choice of concentrations and a delivery format they can mix to fit their schedule.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Lowell, MA · Public · online option
- Grad rate
- 65%
- Admit rate
- 83%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
University of Massachusetts-Lowell's MBA is organized around six stated competency goals, from analytics skills to strategic management.
- 65% graduation rate
- Program Score 83.6
- Six stated competency goals
- Analytics and strategy emphasis
The Master of Business Administration at the University of Massachusetts Lowell is described on its program page through six competency goals. Graduates are expected to think analytically to solve organizational problems, use knowledge of global markets in decision-making, apply ethical reasoning and social responsibility, communicate persuasively in writing and in oral presentations to professional audiences, manage teams and change, and develop strategic planning skills for competitive advantage. The page frames each goal with a learning objective, such as integrating business analysis and applying management frameworks to strategic planning. The page lists these outcomes rather than concentrations or credit hours, so check the university for course details and scheduling.
Federal data shows a 65% graduation rate for the university and an 83% admit rate, so admission is broad. UMass Lowell earns a Program Score of 83.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. The program fits students who want an MBA with an explicit emphasis on analytics, ethics and communication, and who value a clearly stated set of learning outcomes when comparing graduate options.
Emmanuel College
Boston, MA · Nonprofit · online option
- Grad rate
- 68%
- Admit rate
- 76%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Emmanuel College's fully online MBA ends in a capstone that analyzes a real organization's mission, market position and strategy.
- 68% graduation rate
- Program Score 78.6
- Fully online format
- Capstone on a real organization
Emmanuel College delivers its Master of Business Administration through the School of Business & Management in a fully online format built for working professionals. The college also offers graduate certificates in business analytics, digital marketing, human resource management and research administration. Courses cover marketing management, data analysis, business law, finance and operations, and faculty are described as Boston-based professionals working across healthcare, finance, education and research. The program ends with a capstone in which students identify and address real organizational issues, analyzing mission, vision, market position and strategy, and the result is a portfolio piece. The college reports that 100% of respondents to its 2023 to 2025 graduate exit survey were satisfied or very satisfied with their overall experience.
Federal data shows a 68% graduation rate for the college and a 76% admit rate. Emmanuel earns a Program Score of 78.6 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. The program fits professionals who want to keep working while they study, want an MBA with a practical capstone, or may start with a shorter graduate certificate in analytics or digital marketing.
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA · Public
- Grad rate
- 53%
- Admit rate
- 88%
- Tuition
- Varies by program
Bridgewater State University's MBA is a 10-course program with evening and online options and classes of fewer than 20 students.
- Program Score 75.0
- 88% admit rate
- 10-course MBA
- Evening and online classes, 4+1 option
Bridgewater State University offers a master's in business administration and a two-semester Business Foundations graduate certificate. The university says the MBA builds skills in business analytics and in managing people and organizations, and it consists of 10 courses. No business background is required, and students may take up to two graduate courses before formally enrolling. Schedules can be full-time or part-time, with evening and online classes, and the school reports classes of fewer than 20 students. Current Bridgewater undergraduates can join a 4+1 MBA track that lets seniors with at least 84 credits and a 3.0 GPA begin taking up to four graduate courses early, with a minimum grade of B required for graduate credit.
Federal data shows a 53% graduation rate for the school and an 88% admit rate, so admission is broad. Bridgewater State earns a Program Score of 75.0 out of 100, which is the basis of its ranking here. The program fits working adults who want a flexible route into management, career changers without a business degree, and Bridgewater undergraduates who want to shorten the path to a graduate degree.
Graduation Rates at the Ranked MBA Programs in Boston
The median school on this list graduates 83% of its students. The highest rates belong to Tufts University (94%) and Boston College (91%). The school with the highest rate is also ranked #1.
- #1 Tufts University94% graduation rate
- #3 Boston College91% graduation rate
- #4 Northeastern University91% graduation rate
Institution-wide graduation rates reported to IPEDS. They describe the whole school, not this program alone.
How Selective Are the MBA Programs in Boston?
On this list, 4 schools admit fewer than half of applicants, the most selective being Northeastern University at 5%.
- #4 Northeastern University5% admitted
- #1 Tufts University11% admitted
- #2 Boston University11% admitted
Institution-wide admit rates for first-time applicants, reported to IPEDS. Open-admission schools do not report one.
Public and Private MBA Programs in Boston
This list holds 2 public and 6 private nonprofit schools. Their median Program Scores: 79.3 public and 92.2 private nonprofit.
Control (public, private nonprofit, for-profit) as reported to IPEDS. Public schools usually charge residents less; private schools charge everyone the same rate.
Online Options Among the MBA Programs in Boston
Of the 8 schools ranked here, 3 offer distance education. The highest ranked is Tufts University, at #1.
- #1 Tufts UniversityMedford, MA
- #6 University of Massachusetts-LowellLowell, MA
- #7 Emmanuel CollegeBoston, MA
Based on each school reporting distance-education offerings to IPEDS. Whether this specific degree is fully online varies, so confirm the format with the school.
Campus Size Across the MBA Programs in Boston
Enrollment on this list runs from 1,983 at Emmanuel College to 37,737 at Boston University. Of the 8, 2 enroll 20,000 students or more and 2 enroll fewer than 5,000.
Total institution enrollment reported to IPEDS, all levels and programs.
What Graduates of the MBA Programs in Boston Earn
| Rank | School | Median earnings, 4 years outEarnings, 4 yrs |
|---|---|---|
| #2 | Boston UniversityBU | $147,178 |
| #3 | Boston CollegeBoston College | $152,252 |
| #4 | Northeastern UniversityNortheastern | $84,704 |
| #5 | Endicott CollegeEndicott College | $97,982 |
| #6 | University of Massachusetts-LowellUMass Lowell | $119,730 |
| #7 | Emmanuel CollegeEmmanuel College | $101,231 |
| #8 | Bridgewater State UniversityBridgewater State | $114,541 |
Graduates of Boston College earn the most four years after finishing, a median of $152,252; the lowest figure here is $84,704 at Northeastern.
BU, the highest-ranked of these schools (#2), comes in at $147,178.
College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Earnings cover each school's programs in this field at this degree level.
What MBA Programs in Boston Cost
Price across the 8 ranked schools varies widely. Bridgewater State University anchors the low end, while Boston College in Chestnut Hill sits at the top. The lowest-priced public option among the MBA programs in Boston is Bridgewater State University; the lowest-priced private is Endicott College in Beverly.
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. Northeastern University in Boston admits 5% 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 83-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 Northeastern University in Boston, so applying across the range rather than within one band is the sensible strategy here. Completion does not follow the same order: Tufts University in Medford finishes 94% of its students, the strongest on this list on an 11% admit rate, which is why selectivity is one input to the Program Score rather than the score itself.
Accreditation Across Boston Business Schools
The MBA programs in Boston lean private: 6 of the 8 ranked schools are private against 2 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 a premium is not thereby carrying it. Confirm it on the school's own page: Endicott College in Beverly, the lowest-priced private on this list, and the priciest name are held to the same standard.
Why Study for an MBA in Boston
The 8 ranked schools are spread across 6 towns, which makes "Boston" a looser description than the heading suggests. Tufts University in Medford tops the list, with Boston University in Boston 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.
3 of the 8 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.
Keep Exploring
MBA Programs in Boston: Your Questions, Answered
What is the best MBA program in Boston?
By Program Score, Tufts University ranks first among the 8 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 8 ranked here are not uniform about it. Northeastern University in Boston is the tightest on this list at 5% 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 8 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?
3 of the 8 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 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.