by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Holyoke Community College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in Massachusetts. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,763. Value graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $39,979 early in their careers. Set against $9,763 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Value graduates carry a median of $11,497 in student loans. Value graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $43,883 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,497 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $42,482. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.