WORCESTER— Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and College of the Holy Cross are the only two Worcester institutions to make College Raptor’s prestigious 2025 “Best Colleges” rankings.
These rankings, now in their tenth year, evaluate schools based on selectivity, financial health, academic rigor, and student success. WPI earned recognition as one of the top schools in the nation for AI, ranking 14th, while College of the Holy Cross secured several spots, including 12th in the best mid-size school category, 19th overall in New England, and 22nd among the Top 25 Liberal Arts Colleges in the U.S.
The 2025 Best Colleges rankings include the 50 Best Colleges in the United States, as well as the 25 Colleges spanning 19 additional, highly sought-after categories. This year’s list introduces new ranking categories for in-demand programs such as AI and nursing, representing two of today’s fastest-growing career paths.
Craig Shue, head of the Department of Computer Science at WPI, told the Worcester Guardian it wasn’t necessarily “surprising” to hear the school was recognized for its AI curriculum. The college, he said, has a long history of offering these type of classes, and the new Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence option “builds upon that history by providing a concentrated experience for students. It is excellent to have external recognition for these efforts.”
Pointing out that the field of AI is a rapidly growing and changing one, Shue said it’s an area in which WPI has strategic strengths, with faculty who perform novel research and instruction.
“By focusing on society’s needs in our teaching and research,” said Shue, “WPI has built a foundation in computing that can have broad impacts. This focus can lead to advancements in systems and algorithms that can be applied to areas such as massive data analysis, robotics, or systems that tutor students in math. By innovating on a significant societal problem in one area, we refine techniques that can be applied in others.”
Anticipating this award possibly influencing future initiatives at the college, Shue said that WPI’s focus has always been about not only providing a quality education, but one that helps them make a “positive difference in the world and workforce.”
“By tracking the needs of society, we can ensure our students are prepared for what comes next,” he said.
The Worcester Guardian reached out to representatives from Quinsigamond Community College on their award win, but they declined comment.
“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 press release. “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.”
Curious about the other Massachusetts colleges that made the list? Here’s a breakdown:
50 Best Colleges in the US
Harvard – Cambridge
- #2 on Best Private Colleges
- #2 Best Research Colleges
- #1 for large size
- #1 in New England
MIT – Cambridge
- #3 on Best Private Colleges
- #3 Best Research Colleges
- #2 for large size
- #2 in New England
- #9 in Best in AI
- #1 in D3
Wellesley College – Wellesley, MA
- #7 on Best Liberal Arts
- #8 in Best Small Colleges
- #6 for mid-size
- #8 in New England
- #14 in D3
Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering – Needham, MA
- #9 in Best Small Colleges
- #9 in New England
Tufts University – Medford, MA
- #24 Best Research Colleges
- #20 for large size
- #10 in New England
- #15 in D3
Amherst College – Amherst, MA
- #9 on Best Liberal Arts
- #11 in Best Small Colleges
- #11 in New England
- #17 in D3
Boston College – Chestnut Hill
- #25 Best Research Colleges
- #21 large size
- #12 in New England
Best Liberal Arts/Mid Atlantic/New England Schools
College of the Holy Cross – Worcester, MA
- #12 for mid-size
- #19 in New England
- #22 liberal arts school
Smith College – Northampton, MA
- #23 in Best Small Colleges
- #20 in New England
Best Mid-Size Colleges in New England
Brandeis University – Waltham, MA
- #22 in New England
Bentley University – Waltham, MA
- #23 in New England
- #2 in D2
Best in New England
Babson – Wellesley, MA #13
- #19 in D3
Boston University – Boston #16
Best in AI in New England
Worcester :Polytechnic – #14
Northeastern – #18
College Raptor’s Best Colleges rankings are based on publicly available data, and colleges and universities are included based strictly on the merits of their institution, as shown by the data. The full methodology of College Raptor’s rankings is outlined here.
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