2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the New England Region

1

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for liberal arts in the New England Region. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,928. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $31,451. That is a strong return on a $7,928 median debt.

2

Community College Of Rhode Island
Warwick, RI

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Community College Of Rhode Island earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $27,952. That is a strong return on a $8,997 median debt.

3

Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA

Bunker Hill Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,585 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $38,564 early in their careers. Set against $9,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA

A rank of #4 makes Northern Essex Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,969 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $31,549. That is a strong return on a $9,969 median debt.

5

North Shore Community College
Danvers, MA

North Shore Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $33,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Bristol Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $31,206. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.

7

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

York County Community College
Wells, ME

York County Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from York County Community College generally make around $35,803. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.

9

Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA

Holyoke Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,995. Liberal Arts graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $25,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,995 median debt.

10

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,375. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $28,529. That is a strong return on a $9,375 median debt.

11

Capital Community College
New Britain, CT

Capital Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,050 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Capital Community College generally make around $25,072. Set against $6,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, MA

Springfield Technical Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,734. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,413. Set against $8,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA

Quinsigamond Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,250. Liberal Arts 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.

14

University Of Maine At Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME

University Of Maine At Presque Isle placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $24,750. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Maine At Presque Isle generally make around $38,395. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

15

Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

Cape Cod Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $6,749. Liberal Arts graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $23,563 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,749 median debt.

16

Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, MA

Greenfield Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $58,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Central Maine Community College
Auburn, ME

Central Maine Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value 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 liberal arts graduates is $15,575. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,646. That is a strong return on a $15,575 median debt.

18

Kennebec Valley Community College
Fairfield, ME

Kennebec Valley Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $32,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $45,297. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

20

Mount Wachusett Community College
Gardner, MA

Mount Wachusett Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,600. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

21

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #21 for value in liberal arts this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,126 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $54,555. Set against $20,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.

22

Community College Of Vermont
Montpelier, VT

Community College Of Vermont placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,920, compared with $13,640 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,843 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Community College Of Vermont earn a median of $29,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Charter Oak State College
New Britain, CT

Charter Oak State College came in at #23 for value in liberal arts this year. Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,205. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $44,615. That is a strong return on a $20,205 median debt.

24

Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Students borrow a median of $11,665 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Southern Maine Community College
South Portland, ME

Southern Maine Community College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts. Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of South Portland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $27,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.