2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the New England Region
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) 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 77 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the New England Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the liberal arts / sciences & humanities degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Middlesex Community College Bedford generally make around $31,451. Set against $7,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Community College Of Rhode Island one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $14,834. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $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 / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,402, while out-of-state students pay about $14,862. Students borrow a median of $24,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,395. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Bristol Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, compared with $10,776 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $31,206. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Springfield Technical Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,734. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Springfield Technical Community College generally make around $30,413. That is a strong return on a $8,734 median debt.
Northern Essex Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,969. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,585 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $38,564. That is a strong return on a $9,585 median debt.
York County Community College placed #8 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,757. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $35,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $37,790. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Shore Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Danvers. In-state tuition and fees average $5,352, compared with $10,920 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,000 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 came in at #11 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $14,880. Students borrow a median of $30,447 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $71,551. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maine At Fort Kent admits about 98% of applicants.
Worcester State University placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $43,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Massasoit Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,375 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Massasoit Community College generally make around $28,529. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Kennebec Valley Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Kennebec Valley Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Fairfield. 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 $15,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $32,448. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt.
Capital Community College earned the #15 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. Students from in state pay about $5,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $6,050. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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 earned the #16 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,160, with out-of-state students paying around $11,080. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College earn a median of $28,600 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cape Cod Community College earned the #17 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of West Barnstable, Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,000, compared with $10,944 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,749 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cape Cod Community College earn a median of $23,563 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,250 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,524. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Central Maine Community College earned the #19 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,575 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Central Maine Community College generally make around $31,646. That is a strong return on a $15,575 median debt.
Holyoke Community College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,988, while out-of-state students pay about $10,932. Students borrow a median of $8,995 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,779. That is a strong return on a $8,995 median debt.
Greenfield Community College came in at #21 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,750. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $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 / sciences & humanities. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $10,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Southern Maine Community College earn a median of $27,742 early in their careers. Set against $10,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Charter Oak State College placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,506 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $20,205. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $44,615. Set against $20,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central Connecticut State University earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, compared with $16,550 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $24,340. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $60,151. Set against $24,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Maine Community College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Bangor, Eastern Maine Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,402 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Eastern Maine Community College earn a median of $52,263 early in their careers. Set against $12,402 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 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.
