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. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,451. General Education graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #2 place for general education. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, MA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #3. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. 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. Set against $25,840 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

4

Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path College came in at #4 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,811 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $55,271 early in their careers. Set against $29,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Massachusetts Boston
Boston, MA

A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Boston one of the best values for general education. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.

6

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #6 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,304. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

7

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Chicopee, MA

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms came in at #7 for value in general education 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. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.

8

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Salem State University earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. General Education graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $33,065 early in their careers. 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 earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,436, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,940. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts admits about 90% of applicants.

10

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,178. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. General Education graduates of Smith College earn a median of $41,033 early in their careers. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.

11

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $27,891. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.

12

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Clark University earn a median of $55,421 early in their careers. Set against $26,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 40%.

13

Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Springfield College admits about 72% of applicants.

14

Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College Massachusetts earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,550 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,866 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $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 landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,818 in student loans. 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. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.

16

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University came in at #16 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. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,074. Early-career general education graduates make about $68,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.

17

Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.