2026 Best Value Value Schools in Massachusetts
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in Massachusetts
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
University Of Massachusetts Amherst tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in Massachusetts. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Smith College earned it the #2 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. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,436. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Mount Holyoke College earned it the #3 place for value. 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. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mount Holyoke College generally make around $35,038. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the value program here. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Worcester Polytechnic Institute earned it the #5 place for value. Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. Value graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Worcester Polytechnic Institute generally make around $91,834. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
