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2022 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts

21 Ranked Colleges
1,701 Degrees Awarded
$17,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

General Education is the 28th most popular major in the country with 29,936 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across Massachusetts, there were 1,701 general education graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 21 colleges that offer a degree in general education. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great general education programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the general education program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for General Education (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts

#1

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Harvard University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Harvard is a large school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 632 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $2,973 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read more about General Education at Harvard

#2

Tufts University

Medford, Massachusetts

Out of the 21 schools in the Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Tufts University landed the #2 spot on the list. Tufts University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Medford, Massachusetts. It awarded 24 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Tufts has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tufts is $5,267 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Tufts

#3

Smith College

Northampton, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Smith College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Smith is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Northampton, Massachusetts. It awarded 21 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Smith also took the #8 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Smith is $6,075 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on General Education at Smith College

#4

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Massachusetts Amherst. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. UMass Amherst is a large public school situated in Amherst, Massachusetts. It awarded 177 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, UMass Amherst has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Massachusetts Amherst is $13,137 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about General Education at University of Massachusetts Amherst

#5

Brandeis University

Waltham, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brandeis University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Waltham, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

Brandeis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Brandeis is $13,567 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Brandeis General Education Report

#6

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

Bunker Hill Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. BHCC is a medium-sized public school situated in Boston, Massachusetts. It awarded 5 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BHCC, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bunker Hill Community College is $7,337 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bunker Hill Community College General Education Report

University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Massachusetts - Lowell is a fairly large school located in Lowell, Massachusetts that handed out 14 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Lowell, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Lowell is $11,560 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMass Lowell General Education Report

#8

Worcester State University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Worcester State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Worcester State University is a medium-sized school located in Worcester, Massachusetts that handed out 20 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Worcester State also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $16,011 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Worcester State.

Full Worcester State University General Education Report

#9

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

North Adams, Massachusetts

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in North Adams, Massachusetts, this small public school handed out 44 diplomas to qualified ’s general education students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MCLA, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $12,587 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend MCLA.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about General Education at MCLA

#10

Salem State University

Salem, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #10, Salem State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Salem, Massachusetts, and it awarded 68 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Salem State, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Salem State University is $14,593 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about General Education at Salem State University

#11

University of Massachusetts - Boston

Boston, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Boston ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, this fairly large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2019-2020.

UMass Boston also took the #16 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Boston is $13,859 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at University of Massachusetts - Boston

#12

Springfield College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. This small school is located in Springfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 16 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Springfield College also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend Springfield College is $19,586 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Springfield College General Education Report

#13

Clark University

Worcester, Massachusetts

Clark University landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Clark is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 ’s general education degrees to qualified students.

Clark did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Clark University is $22,734 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Clark University General Education Report

#14

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Longmeadow, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 59 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Bay Path, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Bay Path is $19,522 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bay Path University General Education Report

#15

Simmons University

Boston, Massachusetts

Simmons University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and it awarded 14 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

Simmons not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $22,999 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Simmons.

The low student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Simmons University General Education Report

#16

Stonehill College

Easton, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #16, Stonehill College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Easton, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

Stonehill also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $22,284 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stonehill.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about General Education at Stonehill College

#17

Elms College

Chicopee, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #17, Elms College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Elms College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Elms College also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Elms College is $18,504 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on General Education at Elms College

#18

Merrimack College

North Andover, Massachusetts

Merrimack College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #18. Located in North Andover, Massachusetts, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 70 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2019-2020.

Merrimack also made our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Merrimack is $27,589 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Merrimack General Education Report

#19

Endicott College

Beverly, Massachusetts

Endicott College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 18 degrees to qualified ’s general education students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Endicott has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Endicott is $27,432 for massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on General Education at Endicott

#20

American International College

Springfield, Massachusetts

American International College ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

AIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend American International College is $22,785 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full American International College General Education Report

#21

Lesley University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Lesley University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lesley is a small school located in Cambridge, Massachusetts that handed out 62 ’s general education degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Lesley has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Lesley is $29,108 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on General Education at Lesley University

#22

Cambridge College

Boston, Massachusetts

Cambridge College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value General Education Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s general education degrees to 44 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts general education students whose families make $0-$30k list, Cambridge College has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best General Education Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cambridge College is $26,993 for Massachusetts General Education students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Full Cambridge College General Education Report

Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to KOKUYO.

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