“Empowering women through rigorous academics, professional preparation, and social justice leadership in the heart of Boston.”
Simmons University is a private university located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, and stands as one of the United States' historically women's universities — the undergraduate college remains women-centered, offering a focused liberal arts and professional education to a tight-knit community of undergraduate women, while graduate programs across nursing, health sciences, social work, library and information science, business, and the liberal arts are fully co-educational. Founded in 1899 through a bequest by merchant John Simmons, the university was built on the belief that women deserve access to a high-quality education that prepares them for meaningful careers and civic leadership — a mission that remains at the core of its identity more than 125 years later. Academically, Simmons combines the depth of a liberal arts foundation with the rigor of professional programs in high-demand fields. The university's signature strengths include nationally recognized programs in nursing, social work, library and information science, and the emerging sciences — with over 20 undergraduate STEM tracks including neuroscience, biochemistry, computer science, and data science. With an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio and small class sizes (many capped at 16 students), students work closely with faculty who are active researchers, published authors, and working professionals. Simmons is also a member of the Colleges of the Fenway consortium, giving students access to four neighboring institutions including Massachusetts College of Art, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, Emmanuel College, and Wentworth Institute of Technology. Life at Simmons is defined by a sense of community, purpose, and Boston's extraordinary urban resources. The 12-acre residential campus sits in one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in the country — steps from the Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park, and world-class hospitals and research institutions that provide unparalleled internship and clinical placement opportunities. From 100-year-old traditions like May Day to contemporary celebrations like the Simmons Soiree and Founder's Day, the university cultivates a strong sense of belonging and shared identity that distinguishes it from larger, more anonymous institutions.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Library and Information Science (Graduate)
US News Best Graduate Schools 2025
Test Optional — You can submit scores if they help your case, but they're not required.
Official SourceEarly Action I
Non-binding; notification mid-to-late December
Early Action II
Non-binding; notification mid-to-late January
Distinguished Scholar Award
Separate application required for full-scholarship competition; notification mid-to-late January
Regular Decision
Rolling notification through April
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$46,900 – $51,388
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Houses flagship programs in nursing, psychology, biochemistry, and neuroscience. Students gain hands-on research experience in specialized laboratories including biomedical ultrasound and microscopy centers alongside active faculty mentors.
Named for journalist and alumna Gwen Ifill, this school integrates social sciences, humanities, communications, and media studies with a strong emphasis on social justice and civic engagement.
One of the most respected LIS programs in the United States, consistently ranked top 10 nationally by US News. Offers specializations in archives management, data science, school librarianship, and children's literature.
Prepares graduates for clinical practice, leadership, and advanced practice roles with extensive placements in Boston's world-class hospital network including Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital.
Nationally recognized program focused on evidence-based practice and social justice advocacy. MSW is offered on-campus and online, drawing on Boston's rich network of social service agencies for field placements.
4 years
Flagship program combining rigorous clinical training with a liberal arts foundation. Students gain clinical hours at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Boston Children's Hospital. Consistent NCLEX pass rates reflect the program's excellence.
4 years
Growing STEM programs serving a women-centered student body in fields where women are underrepresented. Classes capped at 16 students; faculty run specialized research labs. Graduates are eligible for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.
2 years
Ranked #9 nationally by US News, one of the most prestigious LIS programs in the country. Specializations in archives management, data science, and school librarianship. Available on-campus and online, attracting working professionals nationwide.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $46,874
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
