2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts
[Liberal Arts](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/liberal-arts/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong liberal arts education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 27 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts
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
Our analysis ranked Middlesex Community College Bedford the best value for a degree in liberal arts in Massachusetts. Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public school located in the suburb of Bedford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,928 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $31,206. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,904 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,734. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $30,413. That is a strong return on a $8,734 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,969 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $31,549. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #5 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,168, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $9,585. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $38,564. Set against $9,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $37,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
North Shore Community College came in at #7 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $33,353. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenfield Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts value this year. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $58,356. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mount Wachusett Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts. 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. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $28,600 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts value this year. Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Brockton. Students from in state pay about $5,376 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,375 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $28,529. That is a strong return on a $9,375 median debt.
Cape Cod Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,749 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College generally make around $23,563. That is a strong return on a $6,749 median debt.
Holyoke Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Students borrow a median of $8,995 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Holyoke Community College generally make around $25,779. That is a strong return on a $8,995 median debt.
Worcester State University placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, with out-of-state students paying around $17,866. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $23,907. Liberal Arts graduates of Worcester State University earn a median of $43,996 early in their careers. Set against $23,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts value this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a large public school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the liberal arts program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Quinsigamond Community College generally make around $33,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Framingham State University placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $23,250. Liberal Arts graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $31,613 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Westfield State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. Students from in state pay about $12,179 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $35,004 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Harvard University came in at #17 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $20,126. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $54,555. That is a strong return on a $20,126 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Roxbury Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts value this year. Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $11,088. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,665. Liberal Arts graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bay Path College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $29,572 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Bay Path College earn a median of $71,992 early in their careers. Set against $29,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell came in at #20 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,966, while out-of-state students pay about $36,264. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $37,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Berkshire Community College placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts. Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Pittsfield. Students from in state pay about $5,712 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $14,048. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Berkshire Community College generally make around $18,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quincy College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,938. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $17,400 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,506 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,400 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $30,875. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $54,669. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth admits about 91% of applicants.
Fisher College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts value this year. Fisher College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,689. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $28,590 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Fisher College generally make around $44,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Merrimack College landed the #25 spot for liberal arts value this year. Merrimack College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of North Andover. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,962. Students borrow a median of $26,913 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $50,506. That is a strong return on a $26,913 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts this year:
More Liberal Arts Rankings
View All Liberal Arts Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
