Universities in Cambridge MA, USA
- Rankings & Reviews -

Latest ranking updates related to universities in Cambridge MA
  • 06 Mar, 2024: Scimago Institutions Rankings updated with Harvard University ranked highest among 2 listed universities in Cambridge MA.
  • 25 Jan, 2024: THE Times Higher Education, UK published most recent results of THE World’s Most International Universities. Includes 2 universities from Cambridge MA.
  • 19 Dec, 2023: Latest URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance from Urap . 2 universities from Cambridge MA appear in this ranking.
  • 05 Dec, 2023: Publication of QS World University Rankings: Sustainability. Massachusetts Institute of Technology with highest ranking among universities in Cambridge MA ranked #15.

Home to the world-famous Harvard and MIT universities, straight away we can see that Cambridge is a major attraction for students both domestically and internationally.

Those new to the city can expect to enjoy a variety of museums, public art put on display in events such as Cambridge River Festival, or live music in popular venues like The Plough and Stars, the Nameless Coffeehouse, The Middle East, and Club Passim, among many others.


Rankings of universities in Cambridge MA, USA 2024

  • #2 
  • #3 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #3 
  • #3 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #1 
  • #1 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
Show 31 more rankings of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and subject specific rankings for 12 subjects

  • #3 
  • #4 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 27 September, 2023]
  • #1 
  • #1 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #2 
  • #4 
QS World University Rankings
[Published 27 June, 2023]
Show 31 more rankings of Harvard University and subject specific rankings for 12 subjects

Student satisfaction: 5.0 / 5.0 (based on 47 student ratings)
  • #1022 
  • #1061 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #882 
  • #915 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #271 
  • #374 
StuDocu World University Ranking - US & Canada
[Published 06 September, 2021]
Show 1 more rankings of Cambridge College


  • #529 
  • #501 
Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
[Published 14 September, 2021]
  • #808 
  • #836 
Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
[Published 11 November, 2021]
  • #338 
  • #342 
US News Best National Universities
[Published 17 September, 2023]
Show 4 more rankings of Lesley University

Highest subject rankings of universities in Cambridge MA

Chemistry QS World University Rankings By Subject
#1 
Harvard University
Engineering THE World University Rankings by Subject
#1 
Harvard University
Mathematics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#1 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Data Science QS World University Rankings By Subject
#1 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Sociology QS World University Rankings By Subject
#1 
Harvard University
Education URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#1 
Harvard University
Law QS World University Rankings By Subject
#1 
Harvard University
Linguistics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#1 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Dentistry URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#1 
Harvard University
Marketing QS World University Rankings By Subject
#3 
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Student Opinions About Studying in Cambridge MA

“Cambridge is a city that offers so many opportunities to get out in the fresh air alone or with friends, especially on the walkways next to their fresh ponds, or the Charles River. There are plenty of beautiful green spaces too, like Danehy Park, Sacramento Field, or even the little parks located at the end of the street on many city blocks. This is a city where you can spend time outside.”

“Not being a big city person I feel that Cambridge is a good spot because it’s got a small-town vibe while still having all the amenities of a big city, and if you feel like spending some time in a real big city, you’ve got Boston on the other side of Longfellow Bridge.”

“The neighborhoods of Cambridge are each unique and you should have a basic idea of what they’re like. When you’re in East Cambridge, close to Kendall, you get more of a big city feel. On the other hand, as you get closer to Harvard Square you get more of a mix of a big city and small town environment, and as you move towards the West it has a more suburban feel to it.”

Cambridge MA Key Facts for International Students

PROS

  • There are not many other cities in the United States or even the world where you can find so many internationally respected universities in one place, so you can be sure that students from all over the world have their eye on Cambridge.

  • Related to the high volume of students studying at Harvard and MIT, there is an abundance of start-up and local businesses throughout Cambridge, which creates employment opportunities for its residents.

  • Cambridge is known as a very walkable city, and it has been voted the 8th best place to commute by bike in America, thanks to its abundance of bike lanes all over the city. Additionally, the city has a very comprehensive and reliable bus and subway system which connects with that of Boston, and has the effect of expanding peoples’ opportunities.

CONS

  • The cost of living in Cambridge is among the highest in the United States, with the average rental price of a 2-bedroom apartment coming to a considerable $2,727, roughly. For the majority of people, sharing the apartment with other roommates will be a necessity.

  • Cambridge has a reputation for having intense traffic at certain times of the day, especially in the vicinity of Harvard and MIT. This is a very walkable and bike-friendly city, with reliable public transport, so take advantage of that and skip the traffic jams!


4 out of 4 Universities in Cambridge MA Ranked in at least one ranking

36 Different Rankings list Universities in Cambridge MA (25 institution and 11 subject rankings)

33 Global Rankings rank Universities in Cambridge MA Among TOP 200

Time: GMT +0

Living costs for students in Cambridge MA:
  • Big Mac price (USA average): 0.00 (16% more expensive than in United Kingdom)
  • Plug Type A
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz
  • Plug Type B
    • Residential voltage: 120 V
    • Frequency: 60 Hz

Map with location of universities in Cambridge MA

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FAQ

Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranks #1 in Cambridge MA in our meta ranking composed of 112 university rankings.

Among all universities in Cambridge MA Harvard University is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 49 rankings where Harvard University is listed.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Natural Sciences (Chemistry). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Engineering (Engineering). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Computer Science (Data Science). See all rankings for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Social Studies & Humanities (Sociology). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Education (Education). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Law (Law). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Languages & Literature (Linguistics). See all rankings for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Medicine & Health (Dentistry). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Business (Marketing). See all rankings for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Agriculture (Agriculture). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Harvard University is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Journalism & Media Studies (Journalism). See all rankings for the Harvard University.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is ranked best in Cambridge MA for Architecture, Building & Planning (Architecture). See all rankings for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ranking publishers

4icu

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British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:

Academic Reputation 40% Employer Reputation 10% Faculty/Student Ratio 20% Citations per faculty 20% International Faculty Ratio 5% International Student Ratio 5%

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Criteria used in ranking -QS Employability Rankings:

Employer reputation 30% Alumni outcomes 25% Partnerships with Employers per Faculty 25% Employer/Student Connections 10% Graduate employment rate 10%

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CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:

Research Performance: 40%

  • Research Output: 10%
  • High-Quality Publications: 10%
  • Influence: 10%
  • Citations: 10%

Quality of Education: 25%

Alumni Employment: 25%

Quality of Faculty: 10%

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Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:

Scientific Impact Number of Publications Collaboration Open Access Gender Diversity

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Forbes

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Kiplinger

Criteria used in ranking -Kiplinger's Best College Values:

Quality Criteria 55% Cost Criteria 45%

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MONEY

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Criteria used in ranking -MONEY Best Colleges in America, ranked by value:

Quality of education 33.33% Affordability 33.33% Outcomes 33.33%

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NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:

Research Productivity: 25%

  • # Articles last 11 years: 10%
  • # Articles current year: 15%

Research Impact: 35%

  • # Citations last 11 years: 15%
  • # Citations last 2 years: 10%
  • Average # citations last 11 years: 10%

Research Excellence: 40%

  • H-index last 2 years: 10%
  • # Highly cited papers last 11 years: 15%
  • # Articles current year in high-impact journals: 15%

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Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:

Article count (AC) Fractional count (FC) Weighted fractional count (WFC)

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Payscale

Criteria used in ranking -Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only):

Ranking is based on ROI

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RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:

Teaching: 40%

  • Ratio Faculty/Student: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded: 8%
  • World Teaching Reputation: 8%

Research: 40%

  • Citations per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD: 8%
  • Normalized Citation Impact: 8%
  • Papers per Academic/Research Staff: 8%
  • World Research Reputation: 8%

International Diversity: 10%

  • International Faculty: 2%
  • International Students: 2%
  • International Co-Authored Papers: 2%
  • Reputation Outside Geographical Region: 2%
  • International Level: 2%

Financial Sustainability: 10%

  • Institutional Income per Faculty: 2%
  • Institutional Income per Student: 2%
  • Papers per Research Income: 2%
  • Research Income per Academic/Research Staff: 2%
  • Research Income per Institutional Income: 2%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Academic Rankings:

Normalized citation impact (Citations of research publications from all university authors compared with world averages) 20% Citation per papers 20% Papers per academic and research staff 20% International research reputation 20% Share of research publications written in international co-authorship 20%

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Criteria used in ranking -RUR Reputation Ranking:

Teaching Reputation 50% Research Reputation 50%

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Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:

Research 50% Innovation 30%
Societal 20%

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ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:

Quality of Education 10%

  • Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%

  • Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
  • Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%

  • Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
  • Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

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StuDocu

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THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:

30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)

  • Reputation survey: 15%
  • Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
  • Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
  • Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
  • Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)

  • Reputation survey: 18%
  • Research income: 6%
  • Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)

  • Proportion of international students: 2.5%
  • Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
  • International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)"

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Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:

Employability (survey) 100%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE World Reputation Rankings:

Research Reputation 66,6% Teaching Reputation 33,3%

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Criteria used in ranking -THE World’s Most International Universities:

Proportion of international students 25% Proportion of international staff 25% Proportion of journal publications with one or more international co-authors 25% University’s international reputation 25%

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The Princeton Review

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Thomson Reuters

Criteria used in ranking -Reuters Most Innovative Universities:

Patent Volume 33% Patent Citations 34% Industry Article Citation Impact 11% Percent of Industry Collaborative Articles 11% Total Web of Science Core Collection Papers 11%

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Urap

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Us News

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Wallstreet Journal USA & THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings:

Outcomes 40% (employability) Resources 30% Engagement 20% (teaching) Environment 10% (diversity)

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Washington Monthly

Criteria used in ranking -Washington Monthly - National Universities:

Social Mobility 33.33%
Research 33.33%
Community and National Service 33.33%

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Webometrics

Criteria used in ranking -Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities:

Visibility 50% Excellence 35% Transparency 10% Presence 5%

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