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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts

22 Colleges in the United States
1,507 Liberal Arts Degrees Awarded
$36,149 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their liberal arts programs.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 43 schools to find the best for liberal arts students.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts in Massachusetts

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts

1
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts. Set in the suburb of North Andover, Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 70% of students finish within six years. Merrimack College awarded about 34 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Merrimack College earn a median of $50,506 early in their careers. Merrimack College graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Merrimack College

2
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in liberal arts, ranking #2. Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Beverly. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 29 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Endicott College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $45,277. Endicott College graduates carry a median of $15,456 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Endicott College

3

Middlesex Community College Bedford is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #3 spot this year. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. There were roughly 153 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Middlesex Community College Bedford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Middlesex Community College Bedford earn around $31,451 in the first couple years of their career. Middlesex Community College Bedford graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Middlesex Community College Bedford

4

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Framingham State University, which ranked #4. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Framingham. Roughly 48% of students complete a degree within six years here. Framingham State University awarded about 24 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $31,613 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full liberal arts program report for Framingham State University

5

Students looking for a strong liberal arts program will find one at Westfield State University, which ranked #5. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 34 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Westfield State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Westfield State University earn around $35,004 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the liberal arts program at Westfield State University

6

North Shore Community College earned the #6 position for liberal arts this year. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. There were roughly 91 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at North Shore Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $33,353 early in their careers. North Shore Community College graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for North Shore Community College

7

Bunker Hill Community College placed #7 among the best liberal arts schools. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. About 113 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Bunker Hill Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $38,564. Students borrow a median of $9,585 to complete this degree. Read more about the liberal arts program at Bunker Hill Community College

8

Springfield Technical Community College placed #8 among the best liberal arts schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Springfield. About 143 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Springfield Technical Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Springfield Technical Community College earn around $30,413 in the first couple years of their career. Springfield Technical Community College graduates carry a median of $8,734 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Springfield Technical Community College

9

Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Massachusetts Bay Community College awarded about 31 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $37,790 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,750. See the full liberal arts program report for Massachusetts Bay Community College

10

Bristol Community College came in at #10 for liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. There were roughly 97 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bristol Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Bristol Community College earn around $31,206 in the first couple years of their career. Bristol Community College graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Bristol Community College

11

University Of Massachusetts Lowell earned the #11 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. University Of Massachusetts Lowell graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Lowell awarded about 78 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $37,140. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in liberal arts from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

12

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #12 position for liberal arts this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates 52% of students within six years. About 10 liberal arts degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn around $54,669 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth graduates carry a median of $30,875 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

13

Northern Essex Community College came in at #13 for liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 79 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Northern Essex Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $31,549 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $9,969 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts details for Northern Essex Community College

14

Massasoit Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. There were roughly 117 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Massasoit Community College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $28,529. Massasoit Community College graduates carry a median of $9,375 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Massasoit Community College

15

Quinsigamond Community College placed #15 among the best liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 25 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Quinsigamond Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $33,524. Quinsigamond Community College graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Quinsigamond Community College

16
Roxbury Community College crest
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 16 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Roxbury Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,665. See the full liberal arts program report for Roxbury Community College

17
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

Cape Cod Community College came in at #17 for liberal arts this year. This mid-sized public university is located in the city of West Barnstable. About 25 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Cape Cod Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $23,563 in their early career. Cape Cod Community College graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Cape Cod Community College

18

Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #18 for liberal arts this year. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. About 35 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Mount Wachusett Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $28,600 in their early career. Mount Wachusett Community College graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. See the full liberal arts program report for Mount Wachusett Community College

19

Holyoke Community College came in at #19 for liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Holyoke Community College awarded about 123 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $25,779 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,995 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Holyoke Community College

20

Greenfield Community College earned the #20 position for liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. There were roughly 89 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Greenfield Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $58,356 early in their careers. Greenfield Community College graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Greenfield Community College

21
Bard College At Simons Rock crest
Bard College At Simons Rock
Great Barrington, MA

Bard College At Simons Rock landed the #21 spot for liberal arts this year. This small private not-for-profit university is located in the rural area of Great Barrington. About 66 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Bard College At Simons Rock in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bard College At Simons Rock generally make around $13,221. Bard College At Simons Rock graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Bard College At Simons Rock

22
Bay Path College crest
Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts this year. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. Roughly 44% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 liberal arts students who graduated with this degree at Bay Path College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts program make about $71,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,572 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts from Bay Path College

23
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA

Dean College placed #23 among the best liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit university. About 46% of students finish within six years. Dean College awarded about 10 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts graduates of Dean College earn a median of $30,780 early in their careers. Dean College graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Dean College

24
Quincy College crest
Quincy College
Quincy, MA

Quincy College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Quincy College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. Quincy College awarded about 39 liberal arts degrees in the most recent data year. Quincy College graduates carry a median of $17,400 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts details for Quincy College

25

Berkshire Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 29 liberal arts degrees were awarded at Berkshire Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts degree from Berkshire Community College earn around $18,571 in the first couple years of their career. Berkshire Community College graduates carry a median of $14,048 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts program at Berkshire Community College

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 43 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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