2026 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 131 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools.
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2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Middlesex Community College Bedford tops our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,928. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Students looking for strong value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities will find it at Community College Of Rhode Island, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Warwick, Community College Of Rhode Island is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,550, while out-of-state students pay about $14,834. Students borrow a median of $8,997 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Community College Of Rhode Island earn a median of $27,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Bunker Hill Community College is a large public school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. 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.
A rank of #4 makes North Shore Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of North Shore Community College earn a median of $33,353 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Northern Essex Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Students borrow a median of $9,969 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Bristol Community College landed the #6 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Massachusetts Bay Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $37,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Capital Community College landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of New Britain, Capital Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,050 in student loans. 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.
York County Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Wells, York County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $12,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from York County Community College generally make around $35,803. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Springfield Technical Community College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. 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. Set against $8,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Massasoit Community College earned the #11 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. 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 / 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.
University Of Maine At Presque Isle earned the #12 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Presque Isle, University Of Maine At Presque Isle is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,402, compared with $14,862 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,750 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Maine At Presque Isle earn a median of $38,395 early in their careers. Set against $24,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maine At Presque Isle admits about 100% of applicants.
Holyoke Community College came in at #13 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Holyoke Community College earn a median of $25,779 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College earned the #14 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,250. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $33,524. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.
Worcester State University placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $23,907 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Cape Cod Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,944. 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. Set against $6,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Greenfield Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $58,356. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Maine Community College came in at #18 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Harvard University landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $20,126. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $54,555 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #20 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,160 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,600. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Kennebec Valley Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Kennebec Valley Community College generally make around $32,448. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Community College Of Vermont placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the rural area of Montpelier, Community College Of Vermont is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,920, with out-of-state students paying around $13,640. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,843 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Community College Of Vermont earn a median of $29,597 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central Connecticut State University placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Central Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $13,050, with out-of-state students paying around $16,550. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $24,340 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of $60,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
Charter Oak State College landed the #24 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Charter Oak State College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of New Britain. In-state tuition and fees average $8,506. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $20,205. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Charter Oak State College earn a median of $44,615 early in their careers. Set against $20,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Roxbury Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,785, while out-of-state students pay about $11,088. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,665. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
