by our College Data Analytics Team
[General Mathematics](/majors/mathematics-and-statistics/mathematics/general-mathematics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong general mathematics education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 19 schools to find the best return on investment for general mathematics students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general mathematics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Williams College, our #1 best value for general mathematics in Massachusetts. Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Williamstown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,560. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $13,807 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $55,193. That is a strong return on a $13,807 median debt. The acceptance rate is 8%.
Harvard University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,676. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $16,616. General Mathematics graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $95,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,396. Students borrow a median of $10,003 to complete the general mathematics program here. General Mathematics graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $109,288 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,003 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in general mathematics will find it at Framingham State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, with out-of-state students paying around $18,000. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Framingham State University generally make around $49,006. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Bridgewater State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,457. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,966 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $25,539 in student loans. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $48,641. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Westfield State University earned the #7 position for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, compared with $18,259 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,910 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $47,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Amherst College landed the #8 spot for general mathematics value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, Amherst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,480. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $14,745 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of Amherst College earn a median of $78,500 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,745 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #9 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,115. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. Set against $26,236 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #10 among the best values for general mathematics. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $42,682 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $19,750 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $64,604. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #12 for value in general mathematics this year. Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Hadley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,018. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $22,041. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $35,038. Set against $22,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College placed #13 among the best values for general mathematics. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $18,181. General Mathematics graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Set against $18,181 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Northeastern University landed the #14 spot for general mathematics value this year. Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $21,750. General Mathematics graduates of Northeastern University earn a median of $76,392 early in their careers. Set against $21,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
Brandeis University earned the #15 position for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Waltham, Brandeis University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,080. Typical student debt for general mathematics graduates is $26,559. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $47,783. Set against $26,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brandeis University admits about 40% of applicants.
College Of The Holy Cross earned the #16 position for value in general mathematics this year. Located in the city of Worcester, College Of The Holy Cross is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,500. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general mathematics program here. Early-career general mathematics graduates make about $61,761. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 18%.
Tufts University came in at #17 for value in general mathematics this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. General Mathematics graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $110,512 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Boston College earned the #18 position for value in general mathematics this year. Set in the city of Chestnut Hill, Boston College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,702 in tuition and fees. General Mathematics graduates carry a median of $18,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Boston College generally make around $74,144. Set against $18,025 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value general mathematics schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $60,765. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the general mathematics program here. Soon after graduation, general mathematics degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $91,834. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 19 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.