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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts

21 Ranked Colleges
1,701 Degrees Awarded
$17,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 29,936 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 35th most popular in the United States. In 2017-2018, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $47,138 and had an average of $29,674 in loans still to pay off.

Across Massachusetts, there were 1,701 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,417 and $27,670 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 632 students in 2019-2020.

Harvard also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Harvard is $2,973 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Education at Harvard

#2

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Tufts University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Medford, Massachusetts, and it awarded 24 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tufts, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Tufts University is $5,267 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Tufts General Education Report

#3

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Smith College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Smith is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northampton, Massachusetts. It awarded 21 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Smith has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $6,075 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Smith College.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 1.1% 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%.

Read more about General Education at Smith

#4

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school awarded 177 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

UMass Amherst also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #6. It costs about $13,137 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The 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 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full UMass Amherst General Education Report

#5

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brandeis University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Brandeis is located in Waltham, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Brandeis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis is $13,567 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, 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 90%. The 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 full report on General Education at Brandeis

#6

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #6, Bunker Hill Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bunker Hill Community College is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

BHCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Bunker Hill Community College is $7,337 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Bunker Hill Community College

University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Lowell, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Lowell is $11,560 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.

Read more about General Education at University of Massachusetts - Lowell

#8

Worcester State University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. This medium-sized school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 20 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Worcester State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Worcester State University is $16,011 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Worcester State University

#9

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MCLA is a public institution located in North Adams, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 44 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is $12,587 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Full Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts General Education Report

#10

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Salem State University is a medium-sized school located in Salem, Massachusetts that handed out 68 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Salem State also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Salem State University is $14,593 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Salem State University

#11

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 4 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Boston also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $13,859 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston.

Full UMass Boston General Education Report

#12

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #12, Springfield College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 16 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Springfield College, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Springfield College is $19,586 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Springfield College General Education Report

#13

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Clark University is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Clark did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Clark University is $22,734 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The low student loan default rate of 1.8% 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%. 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 Clark University General Education Report

#14

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Bay Path also took the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $19,522 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bay Path.

Full Bay Path University General Education Report

#15

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Simmons also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #12. The estimated yearly cost for Simmons is $22,999 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read full report on General Education at Simmons

#16

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

Stonehill College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Stonehill College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Easton, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Stonehill also took the #4 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stonehill is $22,284 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Stonehill

#17

Elms College

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Elms College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chicopee, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Elms College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Elms College is $18,504 for massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Education at Elms College

#18

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Merrimack College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Merrimack is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in North Andover, Massachusetts. It awarded 70 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Merrimack also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Merrimack College is $27,589 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 Merrimack General Education Report

#19

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #19, Endicott College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Endicott College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beverly, Massachusetts. It awarded 18 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Endicott did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Endicott College is $27,432 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% 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%.

Read more about General Education at Endicott College

#20

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts

American International College landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. American International College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

AIC also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend AIC is $22,785 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at AIC

#21

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lesley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #21. This small school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 62 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Lesley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $29,108 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Lesley.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Lesley University General Education Report

#22

Cambridge College

Boston, Massachusetts

Cambridge College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cambridge College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $26,993 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cambridge College.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Education at Cambridge College

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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