2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the New England Region

1

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Leading the list is Capital Community College, our #1 best value for general education in the New England Region. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,451. Early-career general education graduates make about $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

3

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #3 place for general education. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,616. General Education graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $96,581 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

4

Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,840. 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. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

5

Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, ME

Southern Maine Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,987. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $28,061. That is a strong return on a $12,987 median debt.

6

Central Maine Community College
Auburn, ME

Central Maine Community College landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. General Education graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.

8

Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,811 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $55,271. Set against $29,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.

9

University Of Maine
Orono, ME

University Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.

10

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. 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.

11

University Of Rhode Island
Kingston, RI

University Of Rhode Island came in at #11 for value in general education this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,214. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Connecticut
Storrs, CT

University Of Connecticut earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.

13

Great Bay Community College
Portsmouth, NH

Great Bay Community College earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,639 in student loans. General Education graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. Set against $17,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #14 among the best values for general education. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. 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. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

15

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts placed #15 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,436, compared with $21,381 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Education graduates of Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earn a median of $48,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

16

Post University
Waterbury, CT

Post University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Post University generally make around $58,543. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Chicopee, MA

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms landed the #17 spot for general education value this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. 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%.

18

Thomas College
Waterville, ME

Thomas College earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Thomas College generally make around $50,554. That is a strong return on a $26,530 median debt. Thomas College admits about 96% of applicants.

19

Vermont Technical College
Randolph, VT

Vermont Technical College landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,208. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,822. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

20

Southern Connecticut State University
New Haven, CT

Southern Connecticut State University placed #20 among the best values for general education. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $46,068 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

21

Saint Josephs College Of Maine
Standish, ME

Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,894. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.

22

University Of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT

University Of Bridgeport earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,601 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $56,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.

23

Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,025. Early-career general education graduates make about $33,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

24

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #24 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,000. General Education graduates of Smith College earn a median of $41,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.

25

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University placed #25 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. Early-career general education graduates make about $27,891. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.