2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts

[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts
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 earned the #1 spot for value among liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $7,928 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.
A rank of #2 makes Bristol Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Bristol Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Fall River. In-state tuition and fees average $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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.
Springfield Technical Community College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Springfield, Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,734 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $30,413. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Essex 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 Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,732, with out-of-state students paying around $12,516. Students borrow a median of $9,969 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities 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 is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,585. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Bunker Hill Community College generally make around $38,564. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massachusetts Bay Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,856, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. 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.
North Shore Community College earned the #7 position 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. 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 / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from North Shore Community College generally make around $33,353. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt.
Worcester State University landed the #8 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,996. Set against $23,907 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Massasoit Community College landed the #9 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,375 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Massasoit Community College earn a median of $28,529 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,375 median debt.
Mount Wachusett Community College earned the #10 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the suburb of Gardner, Mount Wachusett Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,600. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Greenfield Community College placed #11 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the town of Greenfield, Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,930 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Greenfield Community College generally make around $58,356. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $6,749 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,563. That is a strong return on a $6,749 median debt.
Holyoke Community College earned the #13 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,995 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,779. Set against $8,995 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #14 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value 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. 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.
Framingham State University landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $23,250. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University placed #16 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $27,176. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $49,656 early in their careers. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Harvard University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $20,126 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $54,555 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,126 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Westfield State University placed #18 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $35,004. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Roxbury Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Roxbury Crossing, Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,785 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $11,665 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $46,124. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Lowell generally make around $37,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Bay Path College landed the #21 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $29,572 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $71,992. That is a strong return on a $29,572 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Berkshire Community College placed #22 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the rural area of Pittsfield, Berkshire Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,712, while out-of-state students pay about $11,328. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $14,048. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,571. That is a strong return on a $14,048 median debt.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #23 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,742 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $36,362. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $30,875 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $54,669 early in their careers. Set against $30,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Quincy College placed #25 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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 / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,400 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,506. Set against $17,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
View All Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings >
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 · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 31 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.