2026 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts

1

Middlesex Community College Bedford
Bedford, MA

Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value for liberal arts / sciences & humanities in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, compared with $12,170 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Bunker Hill Community College
Boston, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bunker Hill Community College earned it the #2 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,168, 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Northern Essex Community College
Haverhill, MA

A rank of #3 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. 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. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $31,549. That is a strong return on a $9,969 median debt.

4

Bristol Community College
Fall River, MA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #4 place for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,832 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

North Shore Community College
Danvers, MA

North Shore Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. 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.

6

Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA

Massachusetts Bay Community College earned the #6 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

7

Massasoit Community College
Brockton, MA

Massasoit Community College placed #7 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the suburb of Brockton, Massasoit Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,376, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $9,375 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $28,529. That is a strong return on a $9,375 median debt.

8

Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA

Holyoke Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the rural area of Holyoke, Holyoke Community College is a moderately-sized public university. 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.

9

Quinsigamond Community College
Worcester, MA

Quinsigamond Community College came in at #9 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Worcester. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,262, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $33,524 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, MA

Springfield Technical Community College landed the #10 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $11,112. 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. Set against $8,734 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Worcester State University
Worcester, MA

Worcester State University placed #11 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. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,996. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

12

Greenfield Community College
Greenfield, MA

Greenfield Community College placed #12 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Greenfield Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Greenfield. In-state tuition and fees average $5,810, with out-of-state students paying around $11,930. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $58,356. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA

Harvard University ranked #13 on our 2026 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%.

14

Cape Cod Community College
West Barnstable, MA

Cape Cod Community College came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cape Cod Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of West Barnstable. Students from in state pay about $6,000 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. Students borrow a median of $6,749 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,563. Set against $6,749 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Crossing, MA

Roxbury Community College landed the #15 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Roxbury Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Roxbury Crossing. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,785, with out-of-state students paying around $11,088. Students borrow a median of $11,665 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Roxbury Community College earn a median of $46,124 early in their careers. Set against $11,665 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Mount Wachusett Community College
Gardner, MA

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 mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities 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.

17

Framingham State University
Framingham, MA

Framingham State University placed #17 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. Students from in state pay about $11,920 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of $31,613 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants.

18

Berkshire Community College
Pittsfield, MA

Berkshire Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $14,048 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $18,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Quincy College
Quincy, MA

Quincy College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the suburb of Quincy, Quincy College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,938. Students borrow a median of $17,400 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Bay Path College
Longmeadow, MA

Bay Path College placed #20 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. 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. The acceptance rate is 85%.

21

Westfield State University
Westfield, MA

Westfield State University placed #21 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $35,004 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.

22

University Of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA

University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public school located in the suburb of Lowell. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, 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. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of University Of Massachusetts Lowell earn a median of $37,140 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.

23

University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #23 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,742 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $36,362. Set against $25,742 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.

24

University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
North Dartmouth, MA

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. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $30,875 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 91%.

25

Dean College
Franklin, MA

Dean College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the suburb of Franklin, Dean College is a small private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $46,526. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $17,500 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Dean College earn a median of $30,780 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Dean College admits about 74% of applicants.