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2023 Best Value Colleges for General Education in the New England Region

48 Ranked Colleges
2,326 Degrees Awarded
$23,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 the New England Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 29,810 people earned their degree in general education, making the major the 41st most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, general education graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $48,719 and had an average of $23,394 in loans still to pay off.

Across the New England region, there were 2,326 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $50,783 and $22,414 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region” ranking analyzed 48 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the general education program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 the New England Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for new england region education students.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for General Education in the New England Region

1
Worcester State crest
Worcester State University
Worcester, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Worcester State University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Worcester State is a medium-sized public school situated in Worcester, Massachusetts. It awarded 12 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Worcester State, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $16,886 for New England Region Education students per year to attend Worcester State.

The low undergrad 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%.

Full Worcester State University General Education Report

2
Saint Michael's crest
Saint Michael's College
Colchester, Vermont

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Saint Michael’s College landed the #2 spot on the list. Saint Michael’s College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Colchester, Vermont. It awarded 72 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Saint Michael’s also took the #7 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $29,361 for new england region education students per year to attend Saint Michael’s.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Saint Michael’s General Education Report

3
Fairfield U crest
Fairfield University
Fairfield, Connecticut

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Fairfield University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Fairfield, Connecticut is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region education students list, Fairfield U has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $36,633 for New England Region Education students per year to attend Fairfield University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Fairfield University General Education Report

4
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Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
North Adams, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Located in North Adams, Massachusetts, this small public school awarded 39 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,627 for New England Region Education students per year to attend Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. The impressive undergraduate 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 MCLA

5
Fitchburg State crest
Fitchburg State University
Fitchburg, Massachusetts

Out of the 48 schools in the Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Fitchburg State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Fitchburg, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new england region education students list, Fitchburg State has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” ranking. It costs about $16,806 for New England Region Education students per year to attend Fitchburg State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% 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%.

Read more about General Education at Fitchburg State

6
Lesley crest
Lesley University
Cambridge, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #6, Lesley University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 35 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

Lesley also made our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Lesley University is $33,446 for new england region education students.

The undergraduate 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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Lesley University General Education Report

7
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NHTI-Concord's Community College
Concord, New Hampshire

NHTI-Concord’s Community College came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking. Located in Concord, New Hampshire, this small public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,282 for new england region education students per year to attend NHTI.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 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 NHTI-Concord’s Community College

8
Post University crest
Post University
Waterbury, Connecticut

With a ranking of #8, Post University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Post University is a fairly large private for-profit school situated in Waterbury, Connecticut. It awarded 53 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $16,529 for new england region education students per year to attend Post University.

Read more about General Education at Post University

9
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Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, Massachusetts

Bunker Hill Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend BHCC is $7,913 for new england region education students.

Full Bunker Hill Community College General Education Report

10
SNHU crest
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire

Southern New Hampshire University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking, coming in at #10. SNHU is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Manchester, New Hampshire. It awarded 204 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for SNHU is $42,645 for new england region education students.

Full SNHU General Education Report

11

Southern Maine Community College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking, coming in at #11. SMCC is a public institution located in South Portland, Maine. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $10,703 for New England Region Education students per year to attend Southern Maine Community College.

Read more about General Education at SMCC

12
Quinnipiac crest
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, Connecticut

Quinnipiac University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking. Quinnipiac is a private not-for-profit institution located in Hamden, Connecticut. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Quinnipiac did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” list. It costs about $41,230 for new england region education students per year to attend Quinnipiac University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on General Education at Quinnipiac University

13
AIC crest
American International College
Springfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #13, American International College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $27,082 for new england region education students per year to attend American International College.

Full AIC General Education Report

14
Goddard College crest
Goddard College
Plainfield, Vermont

Goddard College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking, coming in at #14. Goddard College is a small school located in Plainfield, Vermont that handed out 34 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $23,794 for New England Region Education students per year to attend Goddard College.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% 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 Goddard College

15
Cambridge College crest
Cambridge College
Boston, Massachusetts

Cambridge College landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 29 diplomas to qualified ’s education students in 2020-2021.

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

Read full report on General Education at Cambridge College

16
Salem State crest
Salem State University
Salem, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #16, Salem State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Salem, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s education degrees to 78 students in 2020-2021.

Salem State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Salem State is $19,017 for New England Region Education students.

Read full report on General Education at Salem State University

17
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University of Saint Joseph
West Hartford, Connecticut

University of Saint Joseph ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. This small school is located in West Hartford, Connecticut, and it awarded 22 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $24,569 for New England Region Education students per year to attend University of Saint Joseph.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about General Education at University of Saint Joseph

18
Simmons crest
Simmons University
Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 3 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

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 the New England Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Simmons University is $27,920 for new england region education students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Simmons General Education Report

19

Saint Joseph’s College of Maine came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking. Saint Joseph’s Maine is a small school located in Standish, Maine that handed out 57 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Saint Joseph’s Maine is $27,595 for New England Region Education students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Saint Joseph’s College of Maine General Education Report

20
Bay Path crest
Bay Path University
Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking. Bay Path is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. It awarded 65 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

Bay Path also took the #25 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bay Path University is $20,435 for New England Region Education students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Bay Path General Education Report

21
Emmanuel Boston crest
Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, Massachusetts

Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s education degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.

Emmanuel Boston also took the #17 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Emmanuel Boston is $29,816 for New England Region Education students.

The undergrad 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 full report on General Education at Emmanuel College Massachusetts

22

University of Maine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking, coming in at #22. University of Maine is a public institution located in Orono, Maine. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UMaine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best General Education Schools in the New England Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMaine is $16,033 for new england region education students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at University of Maine

23

Antioch University - New England ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Antioch University - New England is a small school located in Keene, New Hampshire that handed out 49 ’s education degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at Antioch University - New England

24
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University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island

University of Rhode Island did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region ranking, coming in at #24. University of Rhode Island is a public institution located in Kingston, Rhode Island. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for URI is $18,638 for new england region education students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full URI General Education Report

25

Northern Vermont University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Education Schools in the New England Region list. Northern Vermont University is a public institution located in Johnson, Vermont. The school has a small population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Northern Vermont University is $15,906 for new england region education students.

Read full report on General Education at Northern Vermont University

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