2026 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts

1

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in liberal arts general studies in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.

2

Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Bunker Hill Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,585. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bunker Hill Community College earn a median of $38,564 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA

Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #3 spot this year. 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, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,969. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $31,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Bristol Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts 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.

5

North Shore Community College
Danvers, MA

North Shore Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

7

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, 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. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $28,529. That is a strong return on a $9,375 median debt.

8

Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA

Holyoke Community College landed the #8 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. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,995. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $25,779. Set against $8,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA

Quinsigamond Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,524. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, MA

Springfield Technical Community College placed #10 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,734. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $30,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $43,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.

12

Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, MA

Greenfield Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $58,356. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

13

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. 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. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

14

Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

Cape Cod Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. Students from in state pay about $6,000 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $6,749. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $23,563. That is a strong return on a $6,749 median debt.

15

Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies value 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. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,665 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $46,124. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Mount Wachusett Community College
Gardner, MA

Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $28,600. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Framingham State University
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University came in at #17 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $31,613. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.

18

Berkshire Community College
Pittsfield, MA

Berkshire Community College placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pittsfield. Students from in state pay about $5,712 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,048 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Berkshire Community College earn a median of $18,571 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Quincy College
Quincy, MA

Quincy College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,938. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $17,400. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $17,400 median debt.

20

Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Longmeadow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $29,572 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $71,992 early in their careers. Set against $29,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.

21

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $27,000. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,004. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $37,140. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $25,742. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

24

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $30,875. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

25

Dean College
Franklin, MA

Dean College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $46,526. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Dean College earn a median of $30,780 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.