College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Best Schools in the New England Region

2 Colleges in the United States
321 Best Degrees Awarded
$59,801 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their best programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools to find the best for best students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Best in the New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the New England Region.

Top Schools in Best

1
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Leading the list is Dartmouth College, our #1 school for best. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 best degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Best graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,989. More information about a degree in best from Dartmouth College

2

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which ranked #2. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduates 90% of students within six years. Worcester Polytechnic Institute awarded about 100 best degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $91,834 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Worcester Polytechnic Institute

3

University Of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #3. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 69 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Typical student debt for the program is $25,234. Get the full best details for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

4
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 best students who graduated with this degree at Tufts University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Tufts University

5
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Brown University, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Providence. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 45 best students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $62,820 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Brown University

6
Mount Holyoke College crest
Mount Holyoke College
South Hadley, MA

Mount Holyoke College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of South Hadley. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Mount Holyoke College awarded about 15 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. Students borrow a median of $22,041 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Mount Holyoke College

7
Smith College crest
Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College came in at #7 for best this year. Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Northampton. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Smith College awarded about 21 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Smith College

8
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT

University Of Vermont placed #8 among the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of Burlington. University Of Vermont graduates 79% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Vermont in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Vermont earn around $44,588 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,607. Get the full best details for University Of Vermont

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 25 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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