2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the New England Region
[Liberal Arts General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 77 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts general studies students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts General Studies Schools
For return on investment in liberal arts general studies, no school beat Middlesex Community College Bedford this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $31,451 early in their careers. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Community College Of Rhode Island came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public school located in the city of Warwick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,997 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $27,952 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,997 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned it the #3 place for liberal arts general studies. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $24,750. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $38,395. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts general studies. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $31,206. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts general studies will find it at Springfield Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. Students borrow a median of $8,734 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $30,413. Set against $8,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Northern Essex Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Haverhill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, compared with $12,516 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,969 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $31,549. Set against $9,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bunker Hill Community College ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,585. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $38,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
York County Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $12,757. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $35,803. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. 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. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $8,750. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Massachusetts Bay Community College earn a median of $37,790 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
North Shore Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,352, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $33,353 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. University Of Maine At Fort Kent is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Fort Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,420, compared with $14,880 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,447 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $71,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Worcester State University landed the #12 spot for liberal arts general studies value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $23,907. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Massasoit Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $9,375. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $28,529. That is a strong return on a $9,375 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College placed #14 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $32,448. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Students borrow a median of $6,050 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies 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.
Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Gardner. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,080 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $28,600 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Cape Cod Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Cape Cod Community College generally make around $23,563. That is a strong return on a $6,749 median debt.
Quinsigamond Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a large public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, with out-of-state students paying around $11,206. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $14,250. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $33,524. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts general studies 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, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $15,575. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $31,646 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,575 median debt.
Holyoke Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts general studies schools. Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Holyoke. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,988, with out-of-state students paying around $10,932. Students borrow a median of $8,995 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $25,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,995 median debt.
Greenfield Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $58,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Southern Maine Community College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Set in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the liberal arts general studies program here. Early-career liberal arts general studies graduates make about $27,742. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Charter Oak State College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts general studies. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,506. Typical student debt for liberal arts general studies graduates is $20,205. Soon after graduation, liberal arts general studies degree recipients from Charter Oak State College generally make around $44,615. That is a strong return on a $20,205 median debt.
Central Connecticut State University came in at #24 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Eastern Maine Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts general studies this year. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,402 in student loans. Liberal Arts General Studies graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $52,263 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 General Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s liberal arts general studies value ranking:
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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 · 77 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 77 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.
