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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $48-$75k) in Massachusetts

21 Ranked Colleges
1,701 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

General Education is the 35th most popular major in the country with 29,936 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 21 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 21 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $48-$75k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 632 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also took the #1 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard is $3,411 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. 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 full report on General Education at Harvard University

#2

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bunker Hill Community College landed the #2 spot on the list. BHCC 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 $48-$75k list, BHCC has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bunker Hill Community College is $9,283 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Education at Bunker Hill Community College

#3

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Tufts University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k. 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 also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Tufts University is $13,525 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. 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%. 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.

Read more about General Education at Tufts

#4

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. UMass Amherst is a large school located in Amherst, Massachusetts that handed out 177 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k list, UMass Amherst has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $18,104 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UMass Amherst.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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 89%.

Read full report on General Education at UMass Amherst

#5

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 #5 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Northampton, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Smith also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Smith is $16,394 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Smith College General Education Report

University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Lowell, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts - Lowell is $16,672 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#7

Worcester State University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Worcester State University is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Worcester State, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Worcester State is $19,658 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Worcester State General Education Report

#8

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Salem, Massachusetts, and it awarded 68 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Salem State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Salem State University is $18,547 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Education at Salem State University

University of Massachusetts - Boston came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 4 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Boston not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Boston is $18,521 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Education at UMass Boston

#10

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $16,846 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k 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.

Full Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts General Education Report

#11

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #11, Brandeis University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. Brandeis University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Waltham, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Brandeis did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brandeis University is $20,122 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 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 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%.

Read more about General Education at Brandeis

#12

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Clark University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Clark did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $21,568 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Clark University.

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 school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, 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 87%.

Read full report on General Education at Clark

#13

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Springfield College is located in Springfield, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Springfield College also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $25,365 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Springfield College.

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

Read full report on General Education at Springfield College

#14

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

Stonehill College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Stonehill College is located in Easton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Stonehill also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $27,246 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Stonehill College.

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 College

#15

Elms College

Chicopee, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #15, Elms College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $25,959 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Elms College.

Read more about General Education at Elms College

#16

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Merrimack College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 also took the #3 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Merrimack College is $30,433 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

#17

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k list. Simmons University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Simmons, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Simmons is $26,214 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

Full Simmons University General Education Report

#18

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and it awarded 59 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k list, Bay Path has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bay Path University is $21,763 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on General Education at Bay Path University

#19

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Beverly, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 18 ’s 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 yearly cost to attend Endicott College is $31,906 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 full report on General Education at Endicott College

#20

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts

American International College came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

AIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $27,463 for massachusetts education students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend American International College.

Read more about General Education at American International College

#21

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lesley University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lesley University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 62 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Lesley also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Lesley University is $34,096 for Massachusetts Education students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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%.

Read more about General Education at Lesley

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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