2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for liberal arts in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. In-state tuition and fees average $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Bunker Hill Community College, which ranked #2. 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 liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $38,564 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,585 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Essex Community College earned it the #3 place for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,732 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,969. Liberal Arts graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $31,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,969 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $33,353. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,790. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Holyoke Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $8,995 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $25,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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. Liberal Arts graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $28,529 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $33,524. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $30,413. That is a strong return on a $8,734 median debt.
Greenfield Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenfield. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,810, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $58,356 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Worcester State University placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Cape Cod Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,000, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. 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.
Harvard University earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,126. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $54,555. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Roxbury Community College came in at #15 for value in liberal arts this year. Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, compared with $11,088 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,665. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $46,124. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $28,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Framingham State University earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $23,250. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,613. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.
Berkshire Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,712 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,048. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Berkshire Community College generally make around $18,571. That is a strong return on a $14,048 median debt.
Quincy College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,938. Students borrow a median of $17,400 to complete the liberal arts program here. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay Path College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. In-state tuition and fees average $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,572 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $71,992. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $35,004. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $37,140. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $30,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. Set against $30,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Dean College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $46,526 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Dean College generally make around $30,780. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dean College admits about 74% of applicants.
Bard College At Simons Rock landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Bard College At Simons Rock is a small private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Great Barrington. In-state tuition and fees average $68,780. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bard College At Simons Rock generally make around $13,221. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 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.
