2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the New England Region
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 65 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for liberal arts in the New England Region. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $7,928. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $31,451. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Community College Of Rhode Island generally make around $27,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,402 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $24,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,395. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Bristol Community College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Bristol Community College earn a median of $31,206 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,734 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $30,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,969 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Northern Essex Community College earn a median of $31,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,969 median debt.
Bunker Hill Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,585 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,564. Set against $9,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
York County Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $35,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $37,790. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Fort Kent, University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,420 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $30,447. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Maine At Fort Kent earn a median of $71,551 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
North Shore Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $33,353. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kennebec Valley Community College earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the town of Fairfield, Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $32,448. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,375. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,529. Set against $9,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Mount Wachusett Community College generally make around $28,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. Students borrow a median of $15,575 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $31,646. Set against $15,575 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College generally make around $23,563. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $43,996 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,907 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Greenfield Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Greenfield Community College earn a median of $58,356 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Holyoke Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,995. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $25,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #20 position for value in liberal arts this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a large public school located in the city of Worcester. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $33,524. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Capital Community College earned the #21 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, while out-of-state students pay about $15,596. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $6,050 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Capital Community College earn a median of $25,072 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,050 median debt.
Eastern Maine Community College landed the #22 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $12,402 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $52,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Maine Community College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $27,742 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Granite State College came in at #24 for value in liberal arts this year. Granite State College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Manchester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,724, compared with $9,284 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $26,770 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $54,169. That is a strong return on a $26,770 median debt.
University Of Maine At Augusta ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the town of Augusta, University Of Maine At Augusta is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,888, while out-of-state students pay about $22,178. Students borrow a median of $23,695 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of University Of Maine At Augusta earn a median of $35,428 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts:
Narrow Liberal Arts Schools by State
More Liberal Arts Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 65 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 65 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.
