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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts

26 Colleges in the United States
2,427 Liberal Arts General Studies Degrees Awarded
$37,077 Avg Early-Career Salary

Liberal Arts General Studies programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 58 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for liberal arts general studies students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Liberal Arts General Studies 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 general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Liberal Arts General Studies

1
Harvard University crest
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in liberal arts general studies. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Harvard University graduates 98% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Harvard University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $54,555. Harvard University graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Harvard University

2
Merrimack College crest
Merrimack College
North Andover, MA

Merrimack College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts general studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. About 70% of students finish within six years. About 34 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Merrimack College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $50,506 in their early career. Merrimack College graduates carry a median of $26,913 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Merrimack College

3

A rank of #3 makes Worcester State University one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Worcester State University graduates 62% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Worcester State University in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $43,996 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Worcester State University

4

University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Massachusetts Amherst awarded about 67 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,362. Typical student debt for the program is $25,742. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Massachusetts Amherst

5
Endicott College crest
Endicott College
Beverly, MA

A rank of #5 makes Endicott College one of the top schools for liberal arts general studies. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Beverly. Endicott College graduates 75% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Endicott College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Endicott College earn around $45,277 in the first couple years of their career. Endicott College graduates carry a median of $15,456 in student loans. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Endicott College

6

Middlesex Community College Bedford ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. There were roughly 219 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Middlesex Community College Bedford in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies 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. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Middlesex Community College Bedford

7

Framingham State University landed the #7 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Framingham. Framingham State University graduates 48% of students within six years. Framingham State University awarded about 24 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,613 in their early career. Framingham State University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Framingham State University

8

Westfield State University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 41 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Westfield State University in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $35,004 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Westfield State University

9

North Shore Community College came in at #9 for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. North Shore Community College awarded about 181 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from North Shore Community College earn around $33,353 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $9,000. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for North Shore Community College

10

Bunker Hill Community College earned the #10 position for liberal arts general studies this year. This large public university is located in the city of Boston. There were roughly 113 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Bunker Hill Community College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Bunker Hill Community College earn around $38,564 in the first couple years of their career. Bunker Hill Community College graduates carry a median of $9,585 in student loans. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Bunker Hill Community College

11

Springfield Technical Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 143 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Springfield Technical Community College in the most recent year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $30,413 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,734 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Springfield Technical Community College

12

Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. About 84 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Bay Community College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $37,790. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Massachusetts Bay Community College

13

Bristol Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 421 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Bristol Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $31,206 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Bristol Community College

14

University Of Massachusetts Lowell placed #14 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 78 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Lowell in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $37,140. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Massachusetts Lowell

15

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth landed the #15 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn around $54,669 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $30,875. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth

16

Northern Essex Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Haverhill. Northern Essex Community College awarded about 105 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $31,549 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,969 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in liberal arts general studies from Northern Essex Community College

17

Massasoit Community College earned the #17 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. About 117 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Massasoit Community College in the most recent year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $28,529 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $9,375. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Massasoit Community College

18

Quinsigamond Community College earned the #18 position for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. There were roughly 89 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Quinsigamond Community College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $33,524 in their early career. Quinsigamond Community College graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Quinsigamond Community College

19
Lesley University crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. About 58% of students finish within six years. Lesley University awarded about 52 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Lesley University earn around $35,658 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $30,057 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Lesley University

20
Roxbury Community College crest
Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College landed the #20 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. About 16 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Roxbury Community College in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Roxbury Community College earn around $46,124 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $11,665. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Roxbury Community College

21
Cape Cod Community College crest
Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

Cape Cod Community College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. Cape Cod Community College awarded about 84 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $23,563 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $6,749 to complete this degree. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Cape Cod Community College

22

Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best liberal arts general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public university. Mount Wachusett Community College awarded about 80 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $28,600 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $11,000. Get the full liberal arts general studies details for Mount Wachusett Community College

23

Holyoke Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Holyoke Community College awarded about 124 liberal arts general studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the liberal arts general studies program make about $25,779 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $8,995. Read more about the liberal arts general studies program at Holyoke Community College

24

Greenfield Community College placed #24 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. There were roughly 89 liberal arts general studies students who graduated with this degree at Greenfield Community College in the most recent data year. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $58,356 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Greenfield Community College

25
Bard College At Simons Rock crest
Bard College At Simons Rock
Great Barrington, MA

Bard College At Simons Rock placed #25 among the best liberal arts general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Great Barrington, Bard College At Simons Rock is a small private not-for-profit institution. About 66 liberal arts general studies degrees were awarded at Bard College At Simons Rock in the most recent year. Students who receive their liberal arts general studies degree from Bard College At Simons Rock earn around $13,221 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full liberal arts general studies program report for Bard College At Simons Rock

Rest of the Top 29 Liberal Arts General Studies Schools

Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong liberal arts general studies education:

26
Bay Path College crest
Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA
27
Dean College crest
Dean College
Franklin, MA
28
Quincy College crest
Quincy College
Quincy, MA
29

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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 · 58 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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