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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Massachusetts

18 Ranked Colleges
913 Degrees Awarded
$24,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor's in Massachusetts

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Massachusetts, there were 3,758 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,110 and $17,045 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 913 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,887 and $24,387 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts” ranking analyzed 18 colleges that offered a degree in liberal arts general studies. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts general studies programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts.

Top 18 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies in Massachusetts

#1

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Westfield State University landed the #1 spot on the list. Westfield is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 156 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Westfield also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Westfield State University is $19,167 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Westfield State University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#2

Framingham State University

Framingham, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Framingham State University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Framingham State is located in Framingham, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 45 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Framingham State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Framingham State University is $20,001 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students.

Full Framingham State Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #3 spot on the list. Amherst, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to 95 students in 2019-2020.

UMass Amherst also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend UMass Amherst is $22,501 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students.

The low student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Massachusetts - Lowell landed the #4 spot on the list. UMass Lowell is a fairly large public school situated in Lowell, Massachusetts. It awarded 105 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

UMass Lowell also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $19,119 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Massachusetts - Lowell Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#5

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

UMass Dartmouth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $18,503 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students per year to attend UMass Dartmouth.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

#6

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

Salem State University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. Salem State is a medium-sized public school situated in Salem, Massachusetts. It awarded 7 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Salem State, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Salem State is $18,399 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Salem State

#7

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lesley University landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. Lesley University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 75 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Lesley also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $33,644 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students per year to attend Lesley.

The low 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%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Lesley

#8

Eastern Nazarene College

Quincy, Massachusetts

Eastern Nazarene College landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. This small school is located in Quincy, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students list, ENC has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $20,751 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students per year to attend Eastern Nazarene College.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full ENC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#9

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #9, Endicott College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Beverly, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to 47 students in 2019-2020.

Endicott not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $35,642 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students per year to attend Endicott.

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

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Endicott

#10

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Bay Path is a small school located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts that handed out 43 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Bay Path also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Bay Path University is $22,211 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Bay Path

#11

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts

American International College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 13 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

AIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend AIC is $25,044 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students.

Full American International College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#12

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Springfield College also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $30,134 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students per year to attend Springfield College.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Springfield College

#13

Curry College

Milton, Massachusetts

Curry College came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. Curry College is located in Milton, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Curry not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Curry College is $27,739 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Curry College

#14

Regis College

Weston, Massachusetts

Regis College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Weston, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Regis College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Regis College is $30,408 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students.

The impressive 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 full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Regis College

#15

Dean College

Franklin, Massachusetts

Dean College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. Located in Franklin, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 5 degrees to qualified bachelors’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

Dean College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Dean College is $31,337 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Dean College

#16

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #16, Massachusetts Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts list. This fairly large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $16,636 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students per year to attend MIT.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

#17

Bentley University

Waltham, Massachusetts

Bentley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking, coming in at #17. Bentley is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Waltham, Massachusetts. It awarded 126 bachelors’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Bentley also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Bentley University is $38,986 for Massachusetts Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Arts students.

The low student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.

Full Bentley University Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#18

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#3 in overall quality

Harvard University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools for a Bachelor’s in Massachusetts ranking. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s liberal arts degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students list, Harvard has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Bachelor’s Degree Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $15,386 for massachusetts bachelor’s degree liberal arts students per year to attend Harvard.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Harvard

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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