8 Liberal Arts colleges in Massachusetts with strong social mobility outcomes. Average earnings: $79,500.
Top Liberal Arts graduates on this list earn over $143,372—and these schools actually serve the students who need them most. With mobility scores at the 60th percentile or above, these 8 programs deliver both access and results.
At $143,372 in median earnings, Massachusetts Institute of Technology tops this list of mobility-focused programs while maintaining a 73rd percentile mobility score. The earnings range spans from $52,349 to $143,372, proving that schools serving low-income students can compete on outcomes.
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth serves 36% Pell Grant recipients—students from families earning under $60,000—while still producing graduates earning $68,804. The best mobility schools deliver a double win: University of Massachusetts-Amherst maintains 93rd percentile mobility with a manageable 16% payment burden.
Earnings: $143,372 | Mobility: 73rd percentile
36% Pell students with $68,804 earnings
3% payment burden | Excellent - payment under 8% of discretionary
11% family burden | Good - payment 8-12% of discretionary
| Rank | School | Graduate Earnings | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS | Mobility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $143,372 | $14,768 | Excellent | $42,501 | Excellent | 71th percentile mobility | |
| #2 | Bentley UniversityPrivate | $120,959 | $25,023 | Excellent | $43,757 | Manageable | 75th percentile mobility |
| #3 | $71,631 | $22,763 | Excellent | $26,243 | Manageable | 92th percentile mobility | |
| #4 | $68,804 | $25,000 | Good | $22,757 | Challenging | 81th percentile mobility | |
| #5 | $64,874 | $23,704 | Good | $18,400 | Challenging | 88th percentile mobility | |
| #6 | $57,346 | $22,457 | Good | $18,544 | Challenging | 77th percentile mobility | |
| #7 | Salem State UniversityPublic | $56,662 | — | — | — | — | 75th percentile mobility |
| #8 | $52,349 | $25,000 | Manageable | $20,284 | Challenging | 73th percentile mobility |
Our social mobility rankings answer: "Which schools deliver the best outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds?"
This is not simply "which schools admit the most low-income students" — it's which schools both serve low-income students and deliver strong earnings outcomes.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
