2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the New England Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 63 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools in the New England Region. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,451. That is a strong return on a $7,928 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #2. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,952. Set against $8,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,969. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bunker Hill Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $9,585 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $51,782. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $31,206. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,750. General Studies graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $37,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College landed the #7 spot for general studies value this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,050. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $25,072. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $43,996 early in their careers. Set against $23,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $33,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Cod Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,563. That is a strong return on a $6,749 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. General Studies graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $28,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Connecticut State University placed #12 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,151. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Central Maine Community College earned the #13 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $15,575. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,646. That is a strong return on a $15,575 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #14 position for value in general studies this year. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Kennebec Valley Community College earn a median of $32,448 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Farmington landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,308, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,703 in student loans. General Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Farmington earn a median of $35,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Nashua Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Nashua, Nashua Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,140, with out-of-state students paying around $15,390. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Nashua Community College earn a median of $18,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt.
Quincy College came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,938 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $17,400. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,400 median debt.
University Of Maine earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,166. General Studies graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $34,404 early in their careers. Set against $21,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Manchester Community College Nh landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. Students from in state pay about $7,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,063 ten years after entry.
Great Bay Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,500 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $35,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Eastern Connecticut State University landed the #21 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. General Studies graduates carry a median of $25,373 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,870. Set against $25,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
White Mountains Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. White Mountains Community College is a small public school located in the town of Berlin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,050, compared with $15,300 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $18,250 in student loans. General Studies graduates of White Mountains Community College earn a median of $60,162 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
Nhti Concords Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Nhti Concords Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Concord. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,098. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,403. Set against $14,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, with out-of-state students paying around $16,942. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $26,625. General Studies graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $50,876 early in their careers. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $44,240. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 38 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general studies value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 63 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
