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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $30-$48k) in Massachusetts

21 Ranked Colleges
1,701 Degrees Awarded
$17,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in general education. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent general education programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank General Education Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique 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 $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $30-$48k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Harvard is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 632 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $1,010 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Harvard.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Read more about General Education at Harvard University

#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 $30-$48k list. Tufts University is located in Medford, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Tufts not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $6,516 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Tufts University.

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. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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 $30-$48k. Smith College is a small school located in Northampton, Massachusetts that handed out 21 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Smith has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Smith College is $10,169 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.

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 $30-$48k. University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution located in Amherst, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 177 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Amherst also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst is $14,474 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about General Education at UMass Amherst

#5

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bunker Hill Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k. Bunker Hill Community College is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k list, BHCC has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $8,116 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Bunker Hill Community College.

Read more about General Education at Bunker Hill Community College

#6

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. North Adams, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

MCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $13,325 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

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 more about General Education at MCLA

University of Massachusetts - Lowell ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Massachusetts - Lowell is a fairly large school located in Lowell, Massachusetts that handed out 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 yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell is $12,330 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UMass Lowell General Education Report

#8

Worcester State University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Worcester, Massachusetts, and it awarded 20 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Worcester State also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #15. The estimated yearly cost for Worcester State University is $16,781 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Education at Worcester State

University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k 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 $15,055 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston.

Read more about General Education at University of Massachusetts - Boston

#10

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Brandeis is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It awarded 12 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandeis also took the #5 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis University is $16,074 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%.

Read more about General Education at Brandeis

#11

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #11, Salem State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Salem State is located in Salem, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 68 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Salem State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $16,416 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Salem State University.

Read full report on General Education at Salem State University

#12

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Clark University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. It awarded 21 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Clark also took the #11 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Clark University is $20,581 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on General Education at Clark University

#13

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

Stonehill College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Easton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Stonehill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Stonehill is $24,386 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on General Education at Stonehill

#14

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #14, Springfield College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 16 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Springfield College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Springfield College is $22,254 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Springfield College General Education Report

#15

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Bay Path University is a small school located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts that handed out 59 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bay Path, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bay Path is $19,636 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about General Education at Bay Path University

#16

Elms College

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Elms College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Elms College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Chicopee, Massachusetts. It awarded 14 ’s education degrees 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 $18,295 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on General Education at Elms College

#17

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Merrimack College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Andover, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 70 students in 2019-2020.

Merrimack did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $29,056 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Merrimack College.

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

#18

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Simmons also took the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $25,818 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Simmons.

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. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Simmons

#19

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k list, Endicott has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Endicott College is $25,921 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 $30-$48k ranking. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 6 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k list, AIC has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $21,810 for massachusetts education students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend American International College.

Read more about General Education at AIC

#21

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lesley University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 62 students in 2019-2020.

Lesley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Lesley is $30,430 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $30-$48k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%.

Full Lesley General Education Report

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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