2026 Best Value Value Schools in the New England Region
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 14 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Holyoke Community College, our #1 best value for value in the New England Region. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Typical student debt for value graduates is $9,763. Value graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $39,979 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at York County Community College earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Value graduates carry a median of $17,449 in student loans. Value graduates of York County Community College earn a median of $36,829 early in their careers. Set against $17,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Capital Community College one of the best values for value. 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 $12,059 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $43,125. That is a strong return on a $12,059 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Mount Wachusett Community College one of the best values for value. Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,497 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $43,883. Set against $11,497 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Augusta came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,888, compared with $22,178 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $29,313 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $39,275. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Great Bay Community College placed #6 among the best values for value. Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Value graduates carry a median of $18,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Great Bay Community College generally make around $36,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus came in at #7 for value in value this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $19,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $32,878 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $42,482 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
New England Institute Of Technology came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of East Greenwich, New England Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,275. Students borrow a median of $24,586 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from New England Institute Of Technology generally make around $38,126. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Value Schools by State
View All Value Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
