2026 Best Value Value Schools in the New England Region
[Value](/majors/social-services-public-administration/public-administration/general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 35 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the New England Region
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
Harvard University earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the New England Region. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,676. Value graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $133,307. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Massachusetts Boston, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $26,236 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Boston generally make around $67,584. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Boston admits about 84% of applicants.
Westfield State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Westfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Students borrow a median of $25,910 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Westfield State University generally make around $46,645. That is a strong return on a $25,910 median debt. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Rhode Island, which ranked #4. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $74,864. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Post University earned it the #5 place for value. Set in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,922. Typical student debt for value graduates is $35,364. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Post University generally make around $68,873. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earned the #6 position for value in value this year. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of North Dartmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,612, while out-of-state students pay about $32,567. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,106. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth generally make around $54,669. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut landed the #7 spot for value value this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. Students from in state pay about $21,044 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Connecticut generally make around $65,364. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of Vermont came in at #8 for value in value this year. University Of Vermont is a large public school located in the city of Burlington. In-state tuition and fees average $19,058, while out-of-state students pay about $45,502. Students borrow a median of $22,607 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Vermont generally make around $44,588. Set against $22,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Vermont admits about 65% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for value. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,368. Value graduates of University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earn a median of $52,064 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus admits about 88% of applicants.
Norwich University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the rural area of Northfield, Norwich University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $49,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,103. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Norwich University generally make around $58,394. Set against $24,103 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Norwich University admits about 74% of applicants.
Clark University placed #11 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $58,467. Value graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $61,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 40%.
Anna Maria College placed #12 among the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Paxton, Anna Maria College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,734 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Anna Maria College generally make around $110,456. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants.
Suffolk University earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Suffolk University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suffolk University generally make around $78,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Northeastern University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Boston, Northeastern University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,611. Early-career value graduates make about $66,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants.
University Of New Haven came in at #15 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of West Haven, University Of New Haven is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,332. Value graduates carry a median of $26,244 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $73,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Sacred Heart University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfield, Sacred Heart University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,404 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,831 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Sacred Heart University earn a median of $62,864 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sacred Heart University admits about 65% of applicants.
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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 · 35 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 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.
