by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Harvard University, our #1 best value for value in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the value program here. Value 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Massachusetts Amherst earned it the #2 place for value. 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 $25,195 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Boston University, which ranked #3. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,232. Value graduates of Boston University earn a median of $63,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Mount Holyoke College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of South Hadley, Mount Holyoke College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,018. Typical student debt for value graduates is $22,041. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Smith College earned it the #5 place for value. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,941. Early-career value graduates make about $40,436. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Tufts University placed #6 among the best values for value. 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. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned the #7 position for value in value this year. 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. Value graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $91,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.