Supreme Court ends affirmative action in college admissions
The ruling involves the University of North Carolina and Harvard, who use race in their application process.
Megan Smith, USA TODAY
College Raptor just released its annual list of the 50 best colleges in the United States, and New England schools are dominating the field.
College Raptor, a subsidiary of Citizens Bank, is a leading college planning platform where prospective students can research schools in a variety of categories. They base their rankings on analyses of selectivity, financial health, rigor and student success.
“Helping students select the best colleges for future careers in sought-after industries is our top priority, making our rankings and related tools critical resources to mapping out a personalized path to success,” said William Staib, Co-Founder and President of College Raptor in a statement. “When paired with College Raptor’s College Match Tool, these rankings empower students and families to curate their own best colleges lists based on unique campus preferences, academic performance and goals, as well as financial circumstances.”
While College Raptor releases a variety of best college rankings annually, the top 50 list is the most prestigious, selecting schools with rich history, beautiful campuses, top academic programs and outstanding students. See which New England colleges made the cut below.
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Which of the top 50 colleges are in New England?
Here are the 15 New England colleges ranked best across the country for 2025, in order of lowest to highest ranking.
Wesleyan University
Located on the Connecticut River in Middletown, Connecticut, this private liberal arts school was ranked 47th.
Colby College
This small liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine came in 45th. Colby is known for its collection of art at the renowned Colby College Museum of Art.
Babson College
Wellesley’s Babson College, which offers a premiere education is business, is placed 43rd.
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit university located just outside the city in Chestnut Hill. It received 37th place from College Raptor.
Amherst College
This liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts was ranked 35th. Amherst is the third oldest college in the state of Massachusetts.
Tufts University
Known as one of the top research universities in the country, Tufts placed 33rd. The university has campuses in downtown Boston as well as Medford and Somerville.
Olin College of Engineering
Olin College in Needham, Massachusetts was ranked 32nd. Olin is consistently recognized as one of the best engineering programs in the country, only accepting around 300-400 students.
Wellesley College
One of the top women’s colleges in the country, Wellesley College of Wellesley, Massachusetts came in 31st.
Bowdoin College
A liberal arts school in Brunswick, Maine, Bowdoin received 22nd place. Nathaniel Hawthorne and Franklin Pierce are notable alumni.
Williams College
Williams College, a liberal arts college located in the Berkshire Mountains region in Williamstown, Massachusetts, was ranked 20th.
Brown University
An Ivy League institution in Providence, Rhode Island, Brown came in 13th. It is well-known for its strong science programs and progressive campus culture.
Dartmouth College
Dartmouth, another Ivy League university, placed 11th. Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, it is surrounded by scenic pine trees and mountains, and the campus is often ranked as one of the country’s most beautiful.
Yale University
Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut was ranked fifth. It is often regarded as the Ivy League with the best drama and music programs.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Well-known for its innovative science, technology, computer and engineering programs, this leading research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts came in third place.
Harvard University
The top-ranked New England college in College Raptor’s top 50 list is Harvard University, coming in second place behind Princeton University. Founded in 1636, Harvard is the oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
