2027 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts
[Education](/majors/education/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 51 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for education students.
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2027 Best Value Education Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Education Schools
Middlesex Community College Bedford earned the #1 spot for value among education schools in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Bedford, Middlesex Community College Bedford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,098 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,170. Education graduates carry a median of $11,602 in student loans. Education graduates of Middlesex Community College Bedford earn a median of $27,981 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,602 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Springfield Technical Community College, which ranked #2. Springfield Technical Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,904, while out-of-state students pay about $11,112. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,881. Early-career education graduates make about $28,769. That is a strong return on a $5,881 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in education will find it at Northern Essex Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Haverhill, Northern Essex Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,732, while out-of-state students pay about $12,516. Students borrow a median of $10,129 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Northern Essex Community College generally make around $28,635. That is a strong return on a $10,129 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bristol Community College earned it the #4 place for education. Located in the suburb of Fall River, Bristol Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,832, with out-of-state students paying around $10,776. Students borrow a median of $7,788 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bristol Community College generally make around $21,738. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Bunker Hill Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Boston, Bunker Hill Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,168, compared with $11,112 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,893 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $51,782. That is a strong return on a $11,893 median debt.
Massachusetts Bay Community College placed #6 among the best values for education. Massachusetts Bay Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Wellesley Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,856, while out-of-state students pay about $10,800. Education graduates carry a median of $11,008 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Massachusetts Bay Community College generally make around $44,553. Set against $11,008 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Urban College Of Boston landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Urban College Of Boston is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Boston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,608. Early-career education graduates make about $35,867.
Worcester State University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Worcester, Worcester State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,786, compared with $17,866 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $22,971 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Worcester State University generally make around $42,313. Set against $22,971 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Fitchburg State University came in at #9 for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Fitchburg, Fitchburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,346 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,426 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $65,188. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Fitchburg State University admits about 87% of applicants.
North Shore Community College earned the #10 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Danvers, North Shore Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,920. Education graduates carry a median of $14,145 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $51,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Quinsigamond Community College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Worcester, Quinsigamond Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,262, compared with $11,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,235 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Quinsigamond Community College earn a median of $31,901 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Salem State University earned the #12 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Typical student debt for education graduates is $27,000. Early-career education graduates make about $56,002. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University landed the #13 spot for education value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,616 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $87,454. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
Framingham State University landed the #14 spot for education value this year. Framingham State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Framingham. In-state tuition and fees average $11,920, while out-of-state students pay about $18,000. Students borrow a median of $25,872 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $62,770. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.
University Of Massachusetts Lowell landed the #15 spot for education value this year. Located in the suburb of Lowell, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,966, with out-of-state students paying around $36,264. Students borrow a median of $25,574 to complete the education program here. Early-career education graduates make about $67,693. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Lowell admits about 83% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $26,998. Early-career education graduates make about $50,038. Set against $26,998 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Bay Path College earned the #17 position for value in education this year. Set in the suburb of Longmeadow, Bay Path College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,302. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Bay Path College generally make around $45,851. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Bay Path College admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $58,304. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Westfield State University placed #19 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Westfield, Westfield State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,179, with out-of-state students paying around $18,259. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Education graduates of Westfield State University earn a median of $46,273 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Westfield State University admits about 81% of applicants.
Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts earned the #20 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of North Adams, Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,436, compared with $21,381 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts generally make around $48,940. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Massachusetts College Of Liberal Arts admits about 90% of applicants.
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value education schools. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Chicopee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,325. Education graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from College Of Our Lady Of The Elms generally make around $57,569. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth placed #22 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of North Dartmouth, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,612 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,567. Students borrow a median of $27,106 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth earn a median of $60,648 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,106 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Massachusetts Boston earned the #23 position for value in education this year. Set in the city of Boston, University Of Massachusetts Boston is a large public institution. 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 $29,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of University Of Massachusetts Boston earn a median of $56,686 early in their careers. Set against $29,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Education graduates carry a median of $25,623 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $65,880. That is a strong return on a $25,623 median debt. The acceptance rate is 11%.
Quincy College earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Quincy College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Quincy. In-state tuition and fees average $8,938. Typical student debt for education graduates is $15,600. Median earnings reach $52,506 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $15,600 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for education this year:
View All Education Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 51 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 51 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.
