2026 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts

1

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University tops our 2026 list of the best value general education schools in Massachusetts. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

2

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. General Education graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $96,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

3

Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA

Fitchburg State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #3 spot this year. Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Fitchburg. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,840 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.

4

Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bay Path College earned it the #4 place for general education. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $29,811 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,271. That is a strong return on a $29,811 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,236. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.

6

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #6 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $58,304. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

7

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Chicopee, MA

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms placed #7 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. General Education graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $44,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.

8

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University placed #8 among the best values for general education. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $33,065. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.

9

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts placed #9 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,436, compared with $21,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $48,940. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

10

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,033. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.

11

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #11 among the best values for general education. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. General Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $27,891 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.

12

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University placed #12 among the best values for general education. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.

13

Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College came in at #13 for value in general education this year. Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Springfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,974. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $51,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

14

Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #14 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,550. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,866. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Emmanuel College Massachusetts generally make around $58,542. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.

15

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University placed #15 among the best values for general education. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,256. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,818. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Lesley University generally make around $85,360. That is a strong return on a $24,818 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

16

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University earned the #16 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 12%.

17

Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,650. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. General Education graduates of Endicott College earn a median of $55,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,973 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.