by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in the New England Region? This list ranks 154 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
To arm you with the information you need, College Factual analyzed 154 schools to produce this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
See What’s Included in This Value Report:
We analyzed 154 schools in the New England Region to surface the strongest return on investment. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — what a student pays before aid, which is why this is our No Aid ranking. Cost alone isn’t enough — overall quality matters too. So we weigh that cost against outcomes like degree completion, educational resources, student-body caliber, and post-graduation earnings.
That balance of cost and outcomes is what drives the ranking below. Read more about our methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. Start by picking a degree level:
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Leading the list is Middlesex Community College Bedford, our #1 best value in the New England Region. Based in Bedford, MA, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,098, while out-of-state students pay about $12,170. Students borrow a median of $11,602 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,651. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Out of the 154 schools in the New England Region in this year's value ranking, Bunker Hill Community College landed the #2 spot. Bunker Hill Community College is a public school based in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $11,893 in student loans. Bunker Hill Community College alumni report median earnings of $47,618 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Out of the 154 schools in the New England Region in this year's value ranking, Community College Of Rhode Island landed the #3 spot. Located in Warwick, RI, Community College Of Rhode Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, compared with $14,834 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $13,940. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,659 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,940 median debt.
You'll get strong value at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #4 this year. Set in Haverhill, MA, Northern Essex Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Northern Essex Community College students take on a median of $11,002 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,862 ten years after entry. Set against $11,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
North Shore Community College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in the New England Region. This public school is set in Danvers, MA. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,920. The median program debt is $14,145. North Shore Community College alumni report median earnings of $45,391 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,145 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Wellesley Hills, MA. Students from in state pay about $5,856 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,008 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $52,654 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,008 median debt.
Williams College came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Williamstown, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $88,665. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College has an acceptance rate of 8%.
Bristol Community College placed #8 among the best values in the New England Region. Bristol Community College is a public school based in Fall River, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, while out-of-state students pay about $10,776. Graduates carry a median of $9,482 in student loans. Median earnings reach $38,663 ten years out. Set against $9,482 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Capital Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. This public school is set in New Britain, CT. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,338, with out-of-state students paying around $15,596. Students borrow a median of $12,059 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,344. Set against $12,059 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #10 spot for value in the New England Region this year. Quinsigamond Community College is a public school based in Worcester, MA. Students from in state pay about $6,262 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,206. Students borrow a median of $18,456 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,949 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $18,456 median debt.
Springfield Technical Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Springfield Technical Community College is a public school based in Springfield, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $5,904, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,707 to complete their program here. Springfield Technical Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,966 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Massasoit Community College landed the #12 spot for value in the New England Region this year. Based in Brockton, MA, Massasoit Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,376, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $10,894 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,111 ten years after entry. Set against $10,894 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kennebec Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Kennebec Valley Community College is a public school based in Fairfield, ME. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, compared with $7,036 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,165 in student loans. Kennebec Valley Community College alumni report median earnings of $36,035 a decade after entry. Set against $16,165 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of New Hampshire At Manchester came in at #14 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Manchester, NH. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,838, while out-of-state students pay about $36,418. Typical student debt is $26,277. Median earnings reach $66,479 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 81% of those who apply are admitted.
Rhode Island College landed the #15 spot for value in the New England Region this year. Rhode Island College is a public school based in Providence, RI. In-state tuition and fees average $11,300, while out-of-state students pay about $27,299. Students borrow a median of $23,394 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,318 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rhode Island College has an acceptance rate of 92%.
Holyoke Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Based in Holyoke, MA, Holyoke Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,988 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,932 for out-of-state students. Holyoke Community College students take on a median of $9,763 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $37,277. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Mount Wachusett Community College is a public school based in Gardner, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,160, while out-of-state students pay about $11,080. The median program debt is $11,497. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University placed #18 among the best values in the New England Region. Worcester State University is a public school based in Worcester, MA. Students from in state pay about $11,786 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Worcester State University students take on a median of $24,451 in debt. Worcester State University alumni report median earnings of $60,624 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,451 median debt. Worcester State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Harvard University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Cambridge, MA. Students from in state pay about $61,676 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $101,817 ten years out. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 4% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Maine At Fort Kent offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in Fort Kent, ME. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,420, compared with $14,880 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $30,447. University Of Maine At Fort Kent alumni report median earnings of $51,077 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 98% of those who apply are admitted.
University Of Southern Maine ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. University Of Southern Maine is a public school based in Portland, ME. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,090, with out-of-state students paying around $29,940. Students borrow a median of $23,593 to complete their program here. University Of Southern Maine alumni report median earnings of $49,958 a decade after entry. Set against $23,593 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Central Maine Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Central Maine Community College is a public school based in Auburn, ME. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,140, compared with $7,020 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $14,700. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,448. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Washington County Community College came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Based in Calais, ME, Washington County Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, with out-of-state students paying around $7,036. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $34,407.
Greenfield Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Based in Greenfield, MA, Greenfield Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,810, while out-of-state students pay about $11,930. Graduates carry a median of $12,269 in student loans. Median earnings reach $37,132 ten years out. Set against $12,269 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cape Cod Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Cape Cod Community College is a public school based in West Barnstable, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $6,000, with out-of-state students paying around $10,944. The median program debt is $14,669. Median earnings reach $43,670 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 154 ranked schools only.
These rankings are produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Region · 154 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
