2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Capital Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #2 place for general education. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $24,451 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Harvard University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $96,581 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,840 in student loans. General Education graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Maine Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,987. Early-career general education graduates make about $28,061. Set against $12,987 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Maine Community College earned the #6 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $14,700. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $43,934. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Boston landed the #7 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,898, while out-of-state students pay about $38,115. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,885. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Bay Path College earned the #8 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. General Education graduates carry a median of $29,811 in student loans. General Education graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $55,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,811 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maine earned the #9 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,984. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,975. Set against $25,984 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Salem State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $33,065 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Connecticut earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,784. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Great Bay Community College placed #13 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Students borrow a median of $17,639 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,639 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $58,304 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earned the #15 position for value in general education this year. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public school located in the town of North Adams. In-state tuition and fees average $12,436, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $48,940. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Post University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Post University is a very large private for-profit school located in the city of Waterbury. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,543. That is a strong return on a $35,364 median debt.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $43,325. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $44,875. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.
Thomas College placed #18 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of Waterville, Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $31,824. Students borrow a median of $26,530 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $50,554. Set against $26,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Vermont Technical College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. Students from in state pay about $11,952 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,296. Students borrow a median of $24,208 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Vermont Technical College generally make around $41,822. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Connecticut State University landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,068. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Connecticut State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine placed #21 among the best values for general education. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Josephs College Of Maine generally make around $58,894. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Bridgeport earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,760. General Education graduates carry a median of $28,601 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Bridgeport generally make around $56,368. Set against $28,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Brown University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $33,866. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. Brown University admits about 5% of applicants.
Smith College placed #24 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,000 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $41,033. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University placed #25 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. General Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $27,891. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general education:
Narrow General Education Schools by State
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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
