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2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid

21 Ranked Colleges
1,701 Degrees Awarded
$25,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” ranking.

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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 21 colleges that offered a degree in general education. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality general education programs that also have a lower cost than 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 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 Getting Aid” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important 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 Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Education in Massachusetts (With Aid)

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Harvard University landed the #1 spot on the list. Harvard University is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 632 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Harvard also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $15,386 for Massachusetts Education students with aid per year to attend Harvard.

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%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 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 Harvard

#2

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 #2 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students with aid list, BHCC has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $7,867 for massachusetts education students with aid per year to attend BHCC.

Read more about General Education at Bunker Hill Community College

#3

Worcester State University

Worcester, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Worcester State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. Worcester State is a public institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

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 $19,492 for Massachusetts Education students with aid.

Read full report on General Education at Worcester State

#4

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts landed the #4 spot on the list. Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is a small public school situated in North Adams, Massachusetts. It awarded 44 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students with aid list, MCLA has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is $16,861 for Massachusetts Education students with aid.

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.

Read full report on General Education at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Massachusetts - Lowell landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Massachusetts - Lowell is a fairly large public school situated in Lowell, Massachusetts. It awarded 14 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $19,119 for massachusetts education students with aid per year to attend UMass Lowell.

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%.

Read full report on General Education at University of Massachusetts - Lowell

University of Massachusetts - Boston landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMass Boston is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Boston also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts - Boston is $18,340 for massachusetts education students with aid.

Read more about General Education at UMass Boston

#7

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Salem, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 68 students in 2019-2020.

Salem State also took the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $18,399 for massachusetts education students with aid per year to attend Salem State University.

Read more about General Education at Salem State University

#8

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. 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.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Amherst, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $22,501 for Massachusetts Education students with aid per year to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

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

Read full report on General Education at University of Massachusetts Amherst

#9

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Longmeadow, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

Bay Path also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $22,211 for massachusetts education students with aid per year to attend Bay Path University.

Read full report on General Education at Bay Path University

#10

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #10, American International College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. 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. The estimated yearly cost for AIC is $25,044 for massachusetts education students with aid.

Read more about General Education at American International College

#11

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Tufts University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Medford, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 24 students 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 $30,744 for massachusetts education students with aid.

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. 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.

Read full report on General Education at Tufts

#12

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #12, Smith College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Northampton, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Smith not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Smith College is $28,305 for massachusetts education students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.

Read more about General Education at Smith College

#13

Elms College

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Elms College landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Elms College is a small school located in Chicopee, Massachusetts that handed out 14 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Elms College also took the #18 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $23,855 for massachusetts education students with aid per year to attend Elms College.

Full Elms College General Education Report

#14

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Springfield College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Springfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Springfield College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Springfield College is $30,134 for massachusetts education students with aid.

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

Read more about General Education at Springfield College

#15

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #15, Simmons University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. 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 did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $30,008 for massachusetts education students with aid per year to attend Simmons University.

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 University

#16

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Merrimack College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Merrimack College is located in North Andover, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 70 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Merrimack also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $33,650 for Massachusetts Education students with aid 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%.

Read more about General Education at Merrimack

#17

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #17, Clark University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $28,805 for Massachusetts Education students with aid per year to attend Clark.

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%. 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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Full Clark University General Education Report

#17

Cambridge College

Boston, Massachusetts

Cambridge College landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 44 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

Cambridge College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cambridge College is $26,993 for Massachusetts Education students with aid.

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 Cambridge College

#18

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #18, Stonehill College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Easton, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stonehill, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stonehill College is $34,658 for Massachusetts Education students with aid.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Stonehill General Education Report

#19

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #19, Lesley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Lesley University is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 62 ’s education degrees in 2019-2020.

Lesley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $33,644 for Massachusetts Education students with aid per year to attend Lesley.

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%. 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.

Full Lesley University General Education Report

#20

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. Endicott College is located in Beverly, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s education degrees to qualified students.

Endicott also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Endicott is $35,642 for Massachusetts Education students with aid.

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%.

Full Endicott College General Education Report

#21

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Brandeis University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Waltham, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts education students with aid list, Brandeis has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brandeis University is $31,165 for Massachusetts Education students with aid.

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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Education at Brandeis

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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