2023 Best Value Schools in Massachusetts
Identifying High-Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
There are lots of options to pick from today when trying to decide which program is right for you. You can choose a traditional brick and mortar school, or with the growth of online education, you can attend a school half-way across the country without even leaving your house. Also there are many trade schools and bootcamps that offer short-term programs that open up more career options.
The Best Value Schools in Massachusetts ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. Our analysis looked at 57 schools in Massachusetts to see which programs offered the best value experiences for students with the aim of identifying those quality schools that are more affordable than some of their counterparts.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.
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Top Value Schools in Massachusetts
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Bunker Hill Community College to be the best value school for students in Massachusetts. BHCC is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,471 degrees to qualified students.
BHCC undergraduate students pay an average of $10,224 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $12,931 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, BHCC graduates make an average of $39,456 annually.
BHCC excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 15% of all schools on our Best Schools in Massachusetts list.
A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Massachusetts Bay Community College is a great place for students who want to get the most value for their educational dollar. This small public school is located in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, and it awarded 579 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MassBay Community College are $10,320 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,881 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, MassBay Community College graduates make an average of $42,725 annually.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend North Shore Community College. The school came in at #3 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Danvers, Massachusetts, the small public school handed out 866 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at North Shore Community College are $10,920 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $14,976 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. During the early years of their career, North Shore Community College graduates make an average of $42,262 annually.
Out of the 57 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Mount Wachusett Community College landed the # 4 spot on the list. Gardner, Massachusetts is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 629 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at MWCC are $10,588 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $12,036 in student loans. During the early years of their career, MWCC graduates make an average of $39,608 annually.
Out of the 57 schools in Massachusetts that were part of this year’s ranking, Bristol Community College landed the # 5 spot on the list. Bristol is a public institution located in Fall River, Massachusetts. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 1,340 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Bristol are $10,152 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $11,288 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Bristol graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $34,963 during the early year of their career.
Springfield Technical Community College did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #6 on the list. Springfield Technical Community College is a small public school located in Springfield, Massachusetts that handed out 949 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at STCC are $10,728 a year. On average, students take out $10,871 in loans while pursuing their degree.After graduating from STCC, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $37,255 during the early years of their career.
Northern Essex Community College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. This small public school is located in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and it awarded 696 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at NECC are $11,328 a year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $14,951 in student loans. Once they receive their degree, NECC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $39,221 during the early year of their career.
Middlesex Community College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. Middlesex Community College is a medium-sized public school located in Bedford, Massachusetts that handed out 1,094 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Middlesex Community College are $12,120 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $12,965 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. Once they receive their degree, Middlesex Community College graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $42,511 during the early year of their career.
Quinsigamond Community College landed the #9 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Worcester, Massachusetts is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 1,317 students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Quinsigamond Community College are $10,774 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $19,647 in student loans.After graduating from Quinsigamond Community College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $38,219 during the early years of their career.
Holyoke Community College landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Holyoke Community College is a small public school situated in Holyoke, Massachusetts. It awarded 793 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Holyoke Community College are $10,322 a year. On average, students take out $12,580 in loans while pursuing their degree. During the early years of their career, Holyoke Community College graduates make an average of $32,518 annually.
Fitchburg State University landed the #11 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Fitchburg State is a medium-sized public school situated in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,842 degrees in 2020-2021.
Fitchburg State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,735 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $25,315 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $130.After graduating from Fitchburg State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $41,148 during the early years of their career.
Worcester State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Worcester State is located in Worcester, Massachusetts and has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 1,511 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Worcester State are $16,666 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $22,154 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $143, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Worcester State graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $43,546 during the early year of their career.
Westfield State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Westfield is a medium-sized public school situated in Westfield, Massachusetts. It awarded 1,421 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Westfield are $17,219 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,318 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $212, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Westfield graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $40,701 during the early year of their career.
Framingham State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #14 on the list. Framingham State University is a small public school located in Framingham, Massachusetts that handed out 1,293 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Framingham State are $17,460 a year. On average, students take out $24,607 in loans while pursuing their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $253, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Framingham State graduates make an average of $43,153 annually.
Bridgewater State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value places for students. It came in at #15 on the list. Bridgewater State University is a medium-sized public school located in Bridgewater, Massachusetts that handed out 2,738 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at Bridgewater State are $16,872 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $26,016 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $156, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Bridgewater State graduates make an average of $41,480 annually.
Salem State University landed the #16 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value programs. Salem State University is a medium-sized public school located in Salem, Massachusetts that handed out 1,972 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Salem State are $18,480 per year. On average, students take out $26,367 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $202 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from Salem State, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $43,394 during the early years of their career.
Gordon College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. Gordon College is a small private not-for-profit school located in Wenham, Massachusetts that handed out 585 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Gordon College are $26,250 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,507 in student debt by the time they complete their degree.After graduating from Gordon College, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $35,219 during the early years of their career.
University of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. This large public school is located in Amherst, Massachusetts, and it awarded 9,582 degrees in 2020-2021.
UMass Amherst undergraduate students pay an average of $36,964 in tuition and fees each year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $23,018 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $288, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMass Amherst, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $47,385 during the early years of their career.
Anna Maria College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Anna Maria is located in Paxton, Massachusetts and has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 454 degrees to qualified students.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Anna Maria are $40,208 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $28,150 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $333, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, Anna Maria graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $60,713 during the early year of their career.
University of Massachusetts - Lowell came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Massachusetts ranking. UMass Lowell is a fairly large public school situated in Lowell, Massachusetts. It awarded 4,933 degrees in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UMass Lowell are $33,624 per year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,600 in student loans. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $171. During the early years of their career, UMass Lowell graduates make an average of $56,705 annually.
Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network is located in Boston, Massachusetts and has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3,364 degrees to qualified students.
Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network undergraduate students pay an average of $13,392 in tuition and fees each year. On average, students take out $26,193 in loans while pursuing their degree. Those who take out this much in loans have to make a monthly payment of about $476 if they are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network graduates make an average of $63,021 annually.
Full Northeastern University Professional Advancement Network Report
Endicott College ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Beverly, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school awarded 1,343 diplomas to qualifed students in 2020-2021.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at Endicott are $36,614 per year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $21,255 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $470, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. During the early years of their career, Endicott graduates make an average of $52,248 annually.
American International College ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Springfield, Massachusetts, the small private not-for-profit school handed out 940 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at AIC are $39,370 a year. Degree recipients from the school accumulate an average of $30,987 in student debt by the time they complete their degree. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $210, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan. Once they receive their degree, AIC graduates enter the workforce, making an average salary of $58,956 during the early year of their career.
University of Massachusetts - Boston came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Schools in Massachusetts ranking. Boston, Massachusetts is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out degrees to 3,924 students in 2020-2021.
UMass Boston undergraduate students pay an average of $35,139 in tuition and fees each year. By the time they get their degree, students from this school have racked up an average of $26,776 in student loans. If you borrow this amount, expect your monthly student loan payment to be around $77, assuming you are on a 10-year repayment plan.After graduating from UMass Boston, students go on to jobs where they make an average of $48,855 during the early years of their career.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Schools in Massachusetts list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3,620 degrees in 2020-2021.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate students at MIT are $55,878 a year. On average, students take out $12,518 in loans while pursuing their degree. For those students on a 10-year repayment plan, the average payment due each month is around $627. During the early years of their career, MIT graduates make an average of $94,282 annually.
MIT did well in our overall quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our Best Schools in Massachusetts list.
Best Value Schools in the New England Region
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Notes and References
Footnotes
*These averages are for the top 25 schools only.
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%.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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