2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the New England Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general studies education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 41 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general studies students.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in general studies in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $31,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes Community College Of Rhode Island one of the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $27,952. Set against $8,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $37,897. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Essex Community College one of the best values for general studies. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,969. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester State University earned it the #5 place for general studies. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Students borrow a median of $23,907 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $45,297 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, with out-of-state students paying around $10,800. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $37,790. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Capital Community College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,050. Early-career general studies graduates make about $25,072. Set against $6,050 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennebec Valley Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $32,448. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Quinsigamond Community College is a large public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $33,524. Set against $14,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $28,600. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. Students from in state pay about $6,000 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $6,749. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,563. That is a strong return on a $6,749 median debt.
Central Maine Community College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. General Studies graduates carry a median of $15,575 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,646. Set against $15,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Granite State College placed #13 among the best values for general studies. Set in the city of Manchester, Granite State College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,724, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,770 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Granite State College generally make around $54,169. That is a strong return on a $26,770 median debt.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, while out-of-state students pay about $16,550. Students borrow a median of $24,340 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Lakes Region Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Laconia, Lakes Region Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,720, compared with $14,970 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,182 ten years after entry.
University Of Maine At Farmington ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. University Of Maine At Farmington is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Students from in state pay about $11,308 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $23,878. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $25,703. Early-career general studies graduates make about $35,414. Set against $25,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Great Bay Community College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Portsmouth, Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $12,500. General Studies graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $35,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,500 median debt.
Manchester Community College Nh placed #19 among the best values for general studies. Manchester Community College Nh is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. In-state tuition and fees average $7,090, with out-of-state students paying around $15,340. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,063.
University Of Maine came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $21,166. General Studies graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $34,404 early in their careers. Set against $21,166 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
White Mountains Community College placed #21 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Berlin, White Mountains Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,050, with out-of-state students paying around $15,300. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $18,250. Early-career general studies graduates make about $60,162. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt.
Southern Connecticut State University earned the #22 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of New Haven, Southern Connecticut State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,442 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $50,876. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Vermont Technical College placed #23 among the best values for general studies. Set in the rural area of Randolph, Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,208 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $41,999. That is a strong return on a $24,208 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Nhti Concords Community College came in at #24 for value in general studies this year. Located in the town of Concord, Nhti Concords Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,200, with out-of-state students paying around $15,450. Students borrow a median of $14,098 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,403. That is a strong return on a $14,098 median debt.
Quincy College earned the #25 position for value in general studies this year. Quincy College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. Students from in state pay about $8,938 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,400 to complete the general studies program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,506. Set against $17,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 41 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
Narrow General Studies Schools by State
More General Studies Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 41 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
