Simmons University

Life at Simmons is small-scale and relationship-driven, with students describing the vibe as ‘tight-knit but occasionally cliquey.’ Boston’s museums, hospitals, and tech hubs provide off-campus energy, while on-campus clubs (from activism to anime) compensate for limited Greek life. A 2022 student video tour highlighted the dorm-centric social scene and easy access to Fenway Park—though some lament the ‘low school spirit’ at games.

• Housing: Most undergrads live on campus in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood.
• Quirk: The ‘Triple-C’ office (Culture, Connection & Campus Ministries) organizes interfaith and identity-based programming.

Simmons graduates earn a median $56,491 early-career salary, with nursing and social work alumni benefiting from Boston’s dense employer network. The university reports a 76% six-year graduation rate, and 85% of students return after freshman year—a retention rate suggesting strong student satisfaction. Its career services tout ‘SLIS employment data’ tracking for library science grads, though broader post-grad stats are less transparent.

At $48,240 sticker price, Simmons isn’t cheap, but 74% of students receive aid, bringing the average net price?Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. down to $24,423. Merit scholarships and need-based grants are standard, with the university emphasizing that no first-year student pays full price. The financial aid office pushes its Net Price Calculator hard—a hint at its recruitment strategy for middle-income families.

Simmons carves a niche as Boston’s women-centered university, offering a rare combo of intimate classes and urban professional access. Its nursing grads land jobs at Mass General, while social work students tap into the city’s nonprofit network—all with a safety net of 8:1 advising. The vibe is ‘supportive but unsentimental’: students come for the empowerment rhetoric but stay for the pragmatic pathways to paychecks.