2026 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England

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Hidden Gems
Region
New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)

About

Many of the most well-known colleges in the country are located in New England, including half of the Ivy league schools. The region, however, is saturated with numerous exceptional institutions you may not have heard about if you don't live in the area. The Hidden Gems in New England highlights exceptional colleges in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Methodology

Each of these rankings is based on an analysis of data about the school's selectivity, financial health, graduation rates, student success, and more. We've outlined our full methodology here.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Saint Anselm College	78.05	1,110 – 1,280	35091	63347	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Saint Anselm College Manchester, NH Saint Anselm College is the third oldest Catholic college in New England, having been founded in 1889. The school has been the site of presidential policy speeches from John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon as well as several national presidential debates....Read more Acceptance Rate 78.1% SAT Score 1,110 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $35,091 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $63,347
2	Saint Michael's College	84.51	1,160 – 1,320	30806	46898	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Saint Michael's College Colchester, VT Saint Michael’s College has over 30 majors available to students, the most popular of which is Business Administration and Management, General. The college has a 9 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 79% first year retention rate, 75% 4-year graduation rate, and 100% of students receive institutional aid....Read more Acceptance Rate 84.5% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $30,806 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $46,898
3	Wheaton College (Massachusetts)	71.33	1,150 – 1,320	31638	51607	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Wheaton College (Massachusetts) Norton, MA Wheaton College got its start as the Wheaton Female Seminary in 1834. It received its current moniker in 1912 and began admitting men in 1988. To offer more courses to students, Wheaton has partnerships with Brown University and nine other local schools....Read more Acceptance Rate 71.3% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $31,638 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $51,607
4	Maine Maritime Academy	56.06	1,100 – 1,260	21433	93944	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Maine Maritime Academy Castine, ME Located on a peninsula on the Bagaduce River and Penobscot Bay, the Maine Maritime Academy is a non-federal maritime training school. Students aren’t required to join the military after graduation. Many study Marine Science/Merchant Marine Officer. A fairly selective school, 30% of those accepted enroll. Acceptance Rate 56.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $21,433 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $93,944
5	Simmons University	66	1,190 – 1,370	29575	61420	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Simmons University Boston, MA Simmons University is a private women’s institution, though the graduate school does admit men. It was founded as a college in 1899 and became a university in 2018. Simmons has an 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 82% first year retention rate. 99% of students receive institutional grant aid. Acceptance Rate 66.0% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $29,575 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $61,420
6	Springfield College	71.89	1,080 – 1,330	29198	43692	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Springfield College Springfield, MA Gym teacher James Naismith invented Basketball at Springfield College in 1891, when it was the International Young Men's Christian Association Training School. Students are known as the Pride and wearing maroon and white, they compete in the NCAA Division III with football New England Women's & Men's Athletic Conference. Acceptance Rate 71.9% SAT Score 1,080 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $29,198 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $43,692
7	Bennington College	44.53	1,310 – 1,410	35108	24711	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Bennington College Bennington, VT Bennington College, sitting on 440 acres, was originally a women’s college when it was founded in 1932 and became coeducational in 1969. Today, the school is still predominantly female (78% of undergraduates are women). Of attending students, 98% receive grant aid — $47,860 on average. Acceptance Rate 44.5% SAT Score 1,310 – 1,410 Avg. Net Price $35,108 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $24,711
8	Gordon College	85.62	1,150 – 1,370	25250	45839	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Gordon College Wenham, MA Gordon College opened as the Boston Missionary Training Institute in 1889, receiving its current moniker just over 80 years later. With 33 areas of study and awarding up to Post-master's certificates, many students opt for the Biology/Biological Sciences, General program. It also has a 10 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Acceptance Rate 85.6% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,370 Avg. Net Price $25,250 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,839
9	Massachusetts Maritime Academy	72.07	1,040 – 1,200	20759	80424	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Massachusetts Maritime Academy Buzzards Bay, MA The second oldest state maritime academy in the country, the Massachusetts Maritime Academy was founded in 1891. Its motto is “Discipline, Knowledge, Leadership.” Students train on the USTS Kennedy and select one of the 7 programs. Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering is the most popular. Acceptance Rate 72.1% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,200 Avg. Net Price $20,759 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $80,424
10	Champlain College	87.64	1,230 – 1,380	36846	48844	#10 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Champlain College Burlington, VT Champlain College opened for men in 1878 as the Burlington Business School. It became coeducational just six years later and received its current name in 1958. 95% of students receive grant aid, and 83% return after completing their first year. Champlain also has locations in Montreal, Canada and Dublin, Ireland. Acceptance Rate 87.6% SAT Score 1,230 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $36,846 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,844
11	College of Our Lady of the Elms	88.82	1,150 – 1,320	22311	54087	#11 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England College of Our Lady of the Elms Chicopee, MA Also known simply as Elms College, College of Our Lady of the Elms has a Latin motto: “Viam Veritatis Elegi” – “I have chosen the way of truth.” It opened as a preparatory academy for women in 1897. Although the school started admitting men in 1998, women still make up most of the student body. Acceptance Rate 88.8% SAT Score 1,150 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $22,311 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,087
12	University of New England	91.63	1,050 – 1,240	38675	48957	#12 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England University of New England Biddeford, ME Founded in 1939 as College Séraphique, The University of New England underwent several name changes before receiving its current moniker in 1996. The school has two campuses, one in Maine and one in Tangier, Morocco. UNE is also the largest private university in the state and the five schools offer 52 majors and programs. Acceptance Rate 91.6% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $38,675 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,957
13	Saint Joseph's College of Maine	81.72	960 – 1,150	28268	52884	#13 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Saint Joseph's College of Maine Standish, ME Saint Joseph’s College of Maine is located on the shore of Sebago Lake. 336 athletes, known as the Monks, compete in Basketball, Track and Field and Cross Country (combined), and Lacrosse, among others. 99% of students receive grant aid, averaging $29,900 each. Acceptance Rate 81.7% SAT Score 960 – 1,150 Avg. Net Price $28,268 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,884
14	University of Saint Joseph	79.64	1,070 – 1,280	27558	52053	#14 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England University of Saint Joseph West Hartford, CT The University of Saint Joseph was founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1932 as an all women’s school – it only started accepting men in 2018. The 84-acre campus is well known for its Georgian brick architecture. Undergraduates enjoy a cozy 8 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio. Acceptance Rate 79.6% SAT Score 1,070 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $27,558 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,053
15	Lasell University	92.7	1,020 – 1,260	28477	45468	#15 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Lasell University Newton, MA Lasell University was founded as a women’s seminary in 1851 and although it became coeducational in 1997, women still make up most of the student body. The school’s motto is “Ignorant of Defeat.” 100% receive grant aid, averaging $34,921 each, and students can earn up to a Master's degree. Acceptance Rate 92.7% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,260 Avg. Net Price $28,477 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,468
16	Colby-Sawyer College	89.98	890 – 1,090	26483	37935	#16 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Colby-Sawyer College New London, NH Colby-Sawyer College was founded in 1837. Originally called the New London Academy, the school underwent a number of name changes, arriving at its current moniker in 1975....Read more Acceptance Rate 90.0% SAT Score 890 – 1,090 Avg. Net Price $26,483 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $37,935
17	Regis College	90.09	860 – 1,070	30212	56223	#17 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Regis College Weston, MA Regis College was founded as a women’s school by the Roman Catholic Sisters of St. Joseph. It started accepting men in 2007. Regis offers up to Doctor's degrees, with 31 available programs and majors. There are currently more graduates than undergraduates attending. Acceptance Rate 90.1% SAT Score 860 – 1,070 Avg. Net Price $30,212 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $56,223
18	Lesley University	94.42	1,040 – 1,240	33111	40150	#18 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Lesley University Cambridge, MA Opened in 1909 as Lesley School, a women’s college for future kindergarten teachers, Lesley University began admitting men in 2005. Today, women still make up a majority of the student body. The school’s motto is “I Would Have Perished Had I Not Persisted,” or “Perissem Ni Perstitissem” in Latin. Acceptance Rate 94.4% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,240 Avg. Net Price $33,111 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $40,150
19	University of New Hampshire at Manchester	87.33	1,050 – 1,180	13097	53671	#19 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England University of New Hampshire at Manchester Manchester, NH The University of New Hampshire at Manchester has programs that focus on urban issues. Two popular majors include Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies, Business/Commerce, and General. According to the UNH Manchester website, it has a 94% placement rate for graduates....Read more Acceptance Rate 87.3% SAT Score 1,050 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $13,097 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $53,671
20	Husson University	80.95	1,020 – 1,210	21101	41554	#20 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Husson University Bangor, ME Husson University opened as a branch of Shaw Business College in 1898. It was Husson College by 1947, and became a university in 2008. Popular majors include Business Administration and Management, General, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration....Read more Acceptance Rate 81.0% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,210 Avg. Net Price $21,101 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,554
21	Rivier University	81.76	1,010 – 1,110	28227	54599	#21 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Rivier University Nashua, NH Rivier University is named after its founder, Anne-Marie Rivier. Opened in 1933 as a Catholic women’s college, it admitted men starting in 1991 and became a university in 2012. Nursing Science, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse are popular programs. Rivier’s motto is “Higher and Better” – or “Altiora et Meliora” in Latin. Acceptance Rate 81.8% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,110 Avg. Net Price $28,227 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,599
22	Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts	92.35	960 – 1,180	17705	36803	#22 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, MA Business Administration and Management, General is a commonly chosen area of study at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The school is non selective and offers rolling admissions. Murdock the Mountain Lion cheers on the Trailblazers who play in Ice Hockey, Soccer, and Basketball, among others. Acceptance Rate 92.4% SAT Score 960 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $17,705 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $36,803
23	University of Maine at Farmington	96.72	1,000 – 1,250	15383	31513	#23 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England University of Maine at Farmington Farmington, ME The University of Maine at Farmington opened in 1864, originally known as the Western State Normal School. It underwent several name changes over the following century. The school newspaper is “The Farmington Flyer,” and the Beavers wear maroon, gold, and gray, and compete in the North Atlantic Conference. Acceptance Rate 96.7% SAT Score 1,000 – 1,250 Avg. Net Price $15,383 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $31,513
24	Salem State University	95.57	1,020 – 1,180	19324	48209	#24 Top Hidden Gem Colleges in New England Salem State University Salem, MA Salem State University is a public university located just 30 minutes from Boston. Offering 73 degree programs, the most popular are Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse, Psychology, General, and Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration....Read more Acceptance Rate 95.6% SAT Score 1,020 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $19,324 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,209