2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2019-2020, 559,661 liberal arts / sciences and humanities students received their degree, making the major the 3rd most popular in the country. In 2017-2018, liberal arts / sciences and humanities 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 / sciences and humanities graduates with average earnings and debt of $29,110 and $17,045 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 34 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts / sciences and humanities. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts / sciences and humanities programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts / sciences and humanities program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.
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More Ways to Rank Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
The liberal arts / sciences & humanities school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid”.
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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities in Massachusetts (With Aid)
Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Bunker Hill Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. Bunker Hill Community College is located in Boston, Massachusetts and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 222 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
BHCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $7,867 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend BHCC.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at BHCC
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Middlesex Community College. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Middlesex Community College is a medium-sized school located in Bedford, Massachusetts that handed out 286 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Middlesex Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $5,619 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Middlesex Community College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Middlesex Community College
Out of the 34 schools in the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #3 spot on the list. Cambridge, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.
MIT did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Massachusetts Institute of Technology is $16,636 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 98%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Massachusetts Institute of Technology Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Bristol Community College. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Bristol is a medium-sized public school situated in Fall River, Massachusetts. It awarded 460 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
In addition to being on our massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid list, Bristol has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. It costs about $7,194 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Bristol Community College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Bristol Community College
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts Bay Community College. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid. MassBay Community College is a small school located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts that handed out 146 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
MassBay Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $9,376 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend MassBay Community College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Massachusetts Bay Community College
North Shore Community College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. North Shore Community College is located in Danvers, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 238 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at North Shore Community College, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend North Shore Community College is $9,129 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at North Shore Community College
With a ranking of #7, Springfield Technical Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Springfield, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 215 students in 2019-2020.
STCC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The yearly cost to attend STCC is $8,943 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at STCC
Northern Essex Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and it awarded 124 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NECC, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northern Essex Community College is $8,364 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.
Harvard University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Harvard is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It awarded 36 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Harvard also took the #3 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Harvard University is $15,386 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.
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%. 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 full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Harvard
With a ranking of #10, Quinsigamond Community College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid 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 / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $7,528 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Quinsigamond Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Quinsigamond Community College
Holyoke Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Holyoke Community College is $7,718 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.
Full Holyoke Community College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Cape Cod Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Cape Cod Community College is a small public school situated in West Barnstable, Massachusetts. It awarded 121 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $8,266 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Cape Cod Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Cape Cod Community College
Massasoit Community College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. This medium-sized school is located in Brockton, Massachusetts, and it awarded 83 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $8,430 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Massasoit Community College.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Massasoit Community College
Mount Wachusett Community College came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. This small school is located in Gardner, Massachusetts, and it awarded 75 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $8,688 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Mount Wachusett Community College.
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.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at MWCC
Westfield State University landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Westfield State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 156 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Westfield did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $19,167 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Westfield State University.
The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Westfield State University
Greenfield Community College ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Greenfield Community College is located in Greenfield, Massachusetts and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 99 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $9,578 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid per year to attend Greenfield Community College.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Greenfield Community College
Quincy College came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Quincy, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 115 students in 2019-2020.
Quincy College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Quincy College is $15,758 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.
Full Quincy College Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Report
Berkshire Community College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. This small school is located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and it awarded 46 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
It costs about $9,116 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend Berkshire Community College.
The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Berkshire Community College
University of Massachusetts - Lowell landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. UMass Lowell is a fairly large school located in Lowell, Massachusetts that handed out 105 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
UMass Lowell also took the #8 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMass Lowell is $19,119 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
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 / Sciences & Humanities at University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Framingham State University landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Framingham, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees to 45 students in 2019-2020.
Framingham State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. The estimated yearly cost for Framingham State University is $20,001 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Framingham State
Roxbury Community College landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking. Roxbury Community College is a small public school situated in Roxbury Crossing, Massachusetts. It awarded 9 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
The estimated yearly cost for Roxbury Community College is $11,489 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at Roxbury Community College
University of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Amherst, Massachusetts, this large public school awarded 95 degrees to qualified ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities students in 2019-2020.
UMass Amherst also made our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend University of Massachusetts Amherst is $22,501 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.
Read more about Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #23. University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth is a medium-sized school located in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts that handed out 25 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
UMass Dartmouth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” list. It costs about $18,503 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid per year to attend UMass Dartmouth.
Read full report on Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities at UMass Dartmouth
With a ranking of #24, American International College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid list. AIC is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Springfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 14 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
AIC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The yearly cost to attend American International College is $25,044 for massachusetts liberal arts / sciences & humanities students with aid.
Bay Path University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Bay Path is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. It awarded 44 ’s liberal arts / sciences and humanities degrees in 2019-2020.
Bay Path also took the #22 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in Massachusetts” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bay Path University is $22,211 for Massachusetts Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities students with aid.
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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.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Jacques Sablet (Switzerland, Morges, 1749-1803).
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