2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the New England Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is Capital Community College, our #1 best value for general education in the New England Region. Capital Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New Britain. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,338, compared with $15,596 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $12,059 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $43,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Worcester State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,451. Early-career general education graduates make about $45,297. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Harvard University earned it the #3 place for general education. Set in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,616. General Education graduates of Harvard University earn a median of $96,581 early in their careers. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,346, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,840. General Education graduates of Fitchburg State University earn a median of $48,965 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Maine Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of South Portland, Southern Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,156, while out-of-state students pay about $7,036. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $12,987. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Southern Maine Community College generally make around $28,061. That is a strong return on a $12,987 median debt.
Central Maine Community College landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Central Maine Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Auburn. In-state tuition and fees average $4,140, with out-of-state students paying around $7,020. General Education graduates carry a median of $14,700 in student loans. General Education graduates of Central Maine Community College earn a median of $43,934 early in their careers. Set against $14,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,236 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $52,885 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,236 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Bay Path College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,302. Students borrow a median of $29,811 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $55,271. Set against $29,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Maine ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Students borrow a median of $25,984 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
Salem State University landed the #10 spot for general education value this year. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $33,065. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #11 for value in general education this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,214. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. General Education graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Great Bay Community College earned the #13 position for value in general education this year. Great Bay Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Portsmouth. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,200, while out-of-state students pay about $15,450. General Education graduates carry a median of $17,639 in student loans. General Education graduates of Great Bay Community College earn a median of $48,692 early in their careers. Set against $17,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #14 among the best values for general education. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,234 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $58,304. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts placed #15 among the best values for general education. Set in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,436, compared with $21,381 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Education graduates of Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earn a median of $48,940 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Post University came in at #16 for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Waterbury, Post University is a very large private for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,922. Students borrow a median of $35,364 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Post University generally make around $58,543. Set against $35,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms landed the #17 spot for general education value this year. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. General Education graduates of College Of Our Lady Of The Elms earn a median of $44,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Thomas College earned the #18 position for value in general education this year. Thomas College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the town of Waterville. Students from in state pay about $31,824 in tuition and fees. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,530 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Thomas College generally make around $50,554. That is a strong return on a $26,530 median debt. Thomas College admits about 96% of applicants.
Vermont Technical College landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Vermont Technical College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Randolph. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,952, compared with $22,296 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $24,208. Early-career general education graduates make about $41,822. Set against $24,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Southern Connecticut State University placed #20 among the best values for general education. Southern Connecticut State University is a large public school located in the city of New Haven. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,442, compared with $16,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Southern Connecticut State University earn a median of $46,068 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Saint Josephs College Of Maine earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Standish, Saint Josephs College Of Maine is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,420. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,625 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,894. Set against $26,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Josephs College Of Maine admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Bridgeport earned the #22 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Bridgeport, University Of Bridgeport is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $35,760 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,601 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of University Of Bridgeport earn a median of $56,368 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Bridgeport admits about 83% of applicants.
Brown University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $13,025. Early-career general education graduates make about $33,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College placed #24 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $19,000. General Education graduates of Smith College earn a median of $41,033 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
Boston University placed #25 among the best values for general education. Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $27,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $27,891. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
Narrow General Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 78 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
