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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the New England Region

53 Colleges in the United States
$18,948 Avg Student Debt
$52,229 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Badge [Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts general studies education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 131 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts general studies schools.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the New England Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $31,451. That is a strong return on a $7,928 median debt.

2

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $27,952. That is a strong return on a $8,997 median debt.

3

Bunker Hill Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,585 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $38,564. Set against $9,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

North Shore Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $33,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,969. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $31,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Bristol Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,206. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $37,790 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Capital Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $6,050 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $25,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,050 median debt.

9

York County Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. York County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Wells. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,757. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Springfield Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $30,413. That is a strong return on a $8,734 median debt.

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Massasoit Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,375 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $28,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #12 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $38,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,750 median debt. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.

13

Holyoke Community College landed the #13 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,995 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,779. Set against $8,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Quinsigamond Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $33,524 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.

15

Worcester State University placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $43,996 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

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

Cape Cod Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $23,563 early in their careers. Set against $6,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Greenfield Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenfield. Students from in state pay about $5,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $58,356. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Central Maine Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, while out-of-state students pay about $7,020. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,575 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $31,646. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies 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.

20

Mount Wachusett Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $28,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.

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Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $32,448. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Community College Of Vermont placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,920 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,640. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $10,843. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Vermont generally make around $29,597. Set against $10,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Central Connecticut State University landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Central Connecticut State University generally make around $60,151. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.

24

Charter Oak State College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,506. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $20,205 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $44,615. Set against $20,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25
Roxbury Community College crest
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,665. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $46,124. That is a strong return on a $11,665 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts general studies this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Bay Path College crest
Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA
37
Quincy College crest
Quincy College
Quincy, MA
38
39
40
University Of Vermont crest
University Of Vermont
Burlington, VT
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
Husson University crest
Husson University
Bangor, ME
50

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 131 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 53 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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