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2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

34 Ranked Colleges
3,758 Degrees Awarded
$9,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts general studies students received their degree, making the major the 1st most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts general studies graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $26,786 and had an average of $16,538 in loans still to pay off.

Across Massachusetts, there were 3,758 liberal arts general studies graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,110 and $17,045 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts general studies. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts general studies programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts general studies program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts General Studies (Income $0-$30k) in Massachusetts

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 10 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for MIT is $4,535 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. 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 freshman retention rate of 98%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full MIT Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#2

Harvard University

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Harvard University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Harvard is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Harvard did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Harvard University is $2,973 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. 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%.

Full Harvard Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#3

Middlesex Community College

Bedford, Massachusetts

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Middlesex Community College landed the #3 spot on the list. Middlesex Community College is a medium-sized school located in Bedford, Massachusetts that handed out 286 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Middlesex Community College, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Middlesex Community College is $4,010 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Middlesex Community College

#4

Bunker Hill Community College

Boston, Massachusetts

Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Bunker Hill Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Bunker Hill Community College is a public institution located in Boston, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 222 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

BHCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for BHCC is $7,337 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at BHCC

#5

Bristol Community College

Fall River, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Bristol Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k. Bristol is located in Fall River, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 460 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Bristol not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bristol is $5,539 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Bristol Community College

#6

Massachusetts Bay Community College

Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #6, Massachusetts Bay Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, and it awarded 146 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

MassBay Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for MassBay Community College is $7,631 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at MassBay Community College

#7

North Shore Community College

Danvers, Massachusetts

North Shore Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. North Shore Community College is a small public school situated in Danvers, Massachusetts. It awarded 238 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

North Shore Community College did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $7,616 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Shore Community College.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at North Shore Community College

#8

Quinsigamond Community College

Worcester, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #8, Quinsigamond Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Quinsigamond Community College is a public institution located in Worcester, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 153 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Quinsigamond Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Quinsigamond Community College is $5,604 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Quinsigamond Community College

#9

Northern Essex Community College

Haverhill, Massachusetts

Northern Essex Community College landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Northern Essex Community College is a small school located in Haverhill, Massachusetts that handed out 124 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k list, NECC has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NECC is $6,836 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at NECC

#10

Holyoke Community College

Holyoke, Massachusetts

Holyoke Community College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Holyoke Community College is a public institution located in Holyoke, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 250 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Holyoke Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Holyoke Community College is $6,366 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Holyoke Community College

#11

Springfield Technical Community College

Springfield, Massachusetts

Springfield Technical Community College landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, this small public school handed out 215 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

STCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend Springfield Technical Community College is $7,914 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at STCC

#12

University of Massachusetts Amherst

Amherst, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #12, University of Massachusetts Amherst did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, Massachusetts and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 95 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

UMass Amherst also took the #6 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $13,137 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Massachusetts Amherst

#13

Westfield State University

Westfield, Massachusetts

Westfield State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Westfield State University is a public institution located in Westfield, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 156 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Westfield also made our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $12,672 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Westfield State University.

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%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Westfield

#14

University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Lowell, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Lowell, Massachusetts, and it awarded 105 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Lowell, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts - Lowell is $11,560 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 Liberal Arts General Studies at University of Massachusetts - Lowell

#15

Massasoit Community College

Brockton, Massachusetts

Massasoit Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Brockton, Massachusetts, this medium-sized public school handed out 83 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Massasoit Community College is $7,134 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Massasoit Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#16

Cape Cod Community College

West Barnstable, Massachusetts

Cape Cod Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cape Cod Community College is located in West Barnstable, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 121 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $6,729 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cape Cod Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Cape Cod Community College

#17

Mount Wachusett Community College

Gardner, Massachusetts

Mount Wachusett Community College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Gardner, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 75 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for MWCC is $6,271 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

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.

Full MWCC Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#18

Greenfield Community College

Greenfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #18, Greenfield Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Greenfield Community College is a public institution located in Greenfield, Massachusetts. The school has a small population, and it awarded 99 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Greenfield Community College is $7,266 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Greenfield Community College

#19

Bentley University

Waltham, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #19, Bentley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Waltham, Massachusetts, and it awarded 126 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Bentley also took the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $25,432 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Bentley University.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts General Studies at Bentley University

#20

Framingham State University

Framingham, Massachusetts

Framingham State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Framingham, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.

Framingham State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Framingham State is $14,612 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Framingham State University

#21

Berkshire Community College

Pittsfield, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #21, Berkshire Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, this small public school handed out 46 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for BCC is $7,823 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Liberal Arts General Studies at Berkshire Community College

#22

Quincy College

Quincy, Massachusetts

With a ranking of #22, Quincy College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. This small school is located in Quincy, Massachusetts, and it awarded 115 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

Quincy College also took the #17 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Quincy College is $14,386 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Quincy College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#23

Roxbury Community College

Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts

Roxbury Community College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Roxbury Community College is a small public school situated in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts. It awarded 9 ’s liberal arts degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $11,333 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Roxbury Community College.

Full Roxbury Community College Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#24

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth

North Dartmouth, Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 25 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMass Dartmouth, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $13,925 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth.

Full UMass Dartmouth Liberal Arts General Studies Report

#25

Bay Path University

Longmeadow, Massachusetts

Bay Path University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in Massachusetts For Those Making $0-$30k list. Bay Path is located in Longmeadow, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 44 ’s liberal arts degrees to qualified students.

Bay Path not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Liberal Arts General Studies Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Bay Path University is $19,522 for massachusetts liberal arts students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Bay Path Liberal Arts General Studies Report

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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.

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