2026 Best Value Value Schools in the New England Region

[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 26 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Vermont earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Burlington, University Of Vermont is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,058, with out-of-state students paying around $45,502. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,607. Value graduates of University Of Vermont earn a median of $44,588 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,607 median debt. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Smith College earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 21% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Brown University, which ranked #4. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Value graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Brown University generally make around $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Dartmouth College earned it the #5 place for value. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Value graduates carry a median of $16,989 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. Dartmouth College admits about 5% of applicants.
Mount Holyoke College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,018. Value graduates carry a median of $22,041 in student loans. Value graduates of Mount Holyoke College earn a median of $35,038 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,704. Value graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $68,154. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Tufts University admits about 12% of applicants.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute placed #8 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Worcester Polytechnic Institute earn a median of $91,834 early in their careers. Set against $26,259 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.