2027 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts

1

College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Chicopee, MA

For return on investment in general education, no school beat College Of Our Lady Of The Elms this year. Located in the suburb of Chicopee, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,325. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $44,875. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants.

2

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #2 place for general education. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $96,581. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.

3

Salem State University
Salem, MA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Salem State University, which ranked #3. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $33,065. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.

4

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,304. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.

5

Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

A rank of #5 makes Bay Path College one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $29,811. General Education graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $55,271 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,811 median debt. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.

6

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts
North Adams, MA

Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,436, with out-of-state students paying around $21,381. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $48,940. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

7

Boston University
Boston, MA

Boston University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Boston University earn a median of $27,891 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.

8

Emmanuel College Massachusetts
Boston, MA

Emmanuel College Massachusetts landed the #8 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $48,550 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,866 in student loans. General Education graduates of Emmanuel College Massachusetts earn a median of $58,542 early in their careers. Set against $26,866 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emmanuel College Massachusetts admits about 76% of applicants.

9

Smith College
Northampton, MA

Smith College placed #9 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. General Education graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Smith College generally make around $41,033. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.

10

Clark University
Worcester, MA

Clark University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $55,421. Set against $26,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.

11

Springfield College
Springfield, MA

Springfield College came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,974 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Springfield College generally make around $51,117. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

12

Cambridge College
Boston, MA

Cambridge College placed #12 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Boston, Cambridge College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,378. General Education graduates carry a median of $29,776 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cambridge College earn a median of $76,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,776 median debt.

13

Lesley University
Cambridge, MA

Lesley University ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Lesley University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $34,256. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,818 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $85,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lesley University admits about 97% of applicants.

14

Stonehill College
Easton, MA

Stonehill College placed #14 among the best values for general education. Stonehill College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $56,370. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $45,704. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.

15

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA

Brandeis University landed the #15 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,080 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,653. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,783. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.

16

Tufts University
Medford, MA

Tufts University placed #16 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Tufts University generally make around $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.

17

Endicott College
Beverly, MA

Endicott College earned the #17 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Beverly, Endicott College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $40,650 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,973 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Endicott College generally make around $55,361. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.