Catholic colleges where the most freshmen return in Massachusetts
Catholic colleges ranked by first-year retention: the share of full-time freshmen who come back for a second year.
Catholic colleges where the most freshmen return in Massachusetts5 schools
5 schools qualify, ranked by first-year retention.
How this list is made
- Schools in Massachusetts.
- Catholic undergraduate colleges on the Compass. Seminaries and graduate-only schools are not counted.
- Faith grade B or better (Faith score 70 or higher). Cost and outcomes never change a grade.
- Has a first-year retention rate from federal data (College Scorecard).
- Each school needs a complete Compass Score, so every row shows a rating.
- Ordered by retention rate, highest first.
Updated Oct. 12, 2026. Methodology. Spot an error? Send a correction.
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Compare cost and outcomes
| School | Net price a year | Median debt | Earnings 10 years out | Graduation rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College | $41,704 | $19,000 | $103,937 | 91% |
| College of the Holy Cross | $38,782 | $27,000 | $90,543 | 87% |
| Stonehill College | $33,016 | $25,000 | $77,745 | 76% |
| Assumption University | $29,498 | $27,000 | $74,895 | 75% |
| Merrimack College | $37,927 | $27,000 | $75,584 | 70% |
Net price is the average yearly cost after grants. Federal data (College Scorecard). “—” means the school reports no figure.