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2024 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Massachusetts

22 Ranked Colleges
3,383 Degrees Awarded
$15,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking.

Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 3rd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 556,813 degrees were awarded to students with this major. In 2019-2020, liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $28,337 and had an average of $17,430 in loans still to pay off.

Across Massachusetts, there were 3,383 liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,152 and $18,121 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts / sciences & humanities programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Massachusetts

1
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Bristol Community College
Fall River, Massachusetts

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Bristol Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Bristol is located in Fall River, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 422 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to qualified students.

Bristol also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Bristol is $6,862 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Full Bristol Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

2
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Westfield State University
Westfield, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Westfield State University. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. Westfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to 135 students in 2020-2021.

Westfield not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Westfield is $19,583 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full Westfield State University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

3
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Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. This small school is located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, and it awarded 125 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MassBay Community College, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $9,187 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend MassBay Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MassBay Community College

4
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Middlesex Community College
Bedford, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middlesex Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. Middlesex Community College is a public institution located in Bedford, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 256 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Middlesex Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Middlesex Community College is $4,871 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

Full Middlesex Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

5
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Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Springfield Technical Community College. It ranked #5 on our 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to 190 students in 2020-2021.

STCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Springfield Technical Community College is $8,867 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at STCC

6
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University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #6. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school handed out 93 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities students in 2020-2021.

UMass Amherst also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend UMass Amherst is $22,038 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at UMass Amherst

7
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North Shore Community College
Danvers, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #7, North Shore Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. North Shore Community College is located in Danvers, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 219 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to qualified students.

North Shore Community College also took the #11 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Shore Community College is $7,558 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

Full North Shore Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

8
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Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, Massachusetts

Holyoke Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Holyoke Community College is located in Holyoke, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 237 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to qualified students.

Holyoke Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $8,271 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend Holyoke Community College.

Full Holyoke Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

9
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Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #9, Northern Essex Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. Haverhill, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to 91 students in 2020-2021.

NECC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Essex Community College is $7,439 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Northern Essex Community College

10
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Framingham State University
Framingham, Massachusetts

Framingham State University landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Framingham State University is a small school located in Framingham, Massachusetts that handed out 52 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, Framingham State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Framingham State University is $19,535 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Framingham State University

11
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Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #11, Cape Cod Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. Cape Cod Community College is a small school located in West Barnstable, Massachusetts that handed out 91 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Cape Cod Community College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cape Cod Community College is $8,424 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Cape Cod Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

12
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Mount Wachusett Community College
Gardner, Massachusetts

Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking. MWCC is a small school located in Gardner, Massachusetts that handed out 94 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

MWCC also took the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mount Wachusett Community College is $8,582 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

Full Mount Wachusett Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

13
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Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #13, Quinsigamond Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. Quinsigamond Community College is a medium-sized school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 109 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Quinsigamond Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Quinsigamond Community College is $7,368 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Quinsigamond Community College

14
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Quincy College
Quincy, Massachusetts

Quincy College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Quincy College is a small school located in Quincy, Massachusetts that handed out 82 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, Quincy College has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Quincy College is $14,614 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Quincy College

15

University of Massachusetts - Lowell did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school handed out 103 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities students in 2020-2021.

UMass Lowell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $20,079 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend UMass Lowell.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMass Lowell Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

16
Massasoit Community College crest
Massasoit Community College
Brockton, Massachusetts

Massasoit Community College landed the #16 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Massasoit Community College is located in Brockton, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 98 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to qualified students.

Massasoit Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $8,444 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend Massasoit Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Massasoit Community College

17
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Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, Massachusetts

Greenfield Community College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Located in Greenfield, Massachusetts, this small public school handed out 75 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students list, Greenfield Community College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Greenfield Community College is $9,364 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Greenfield Community College

18
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Lesley University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lesley University landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Lesley University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 87 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

Lesley also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lesley University is $33,446 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Lesley

19
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Berkshire Community College
Pittsfield, Massachusetts

Berkshire Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #19. This small school is located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 50 ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees in 2020-2021.

BCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $8,003 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students per year to attend BCC.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Berkshire Community College

20
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Endicott College
Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 27 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Endicott, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Endicott is $35,992 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Endicott College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

21
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Bay Path University
Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #21. Longmeadow, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees to 56 students in 2020-2021.

Bay Path did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $20,435 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students per year to attend Bay Path University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Bay Path University

22
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Bentley University
Waltham, Massachusetts

Bentley University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts list. Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 120 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Bentley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Bentley University is $41,334 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Full Bentley University Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report

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