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Cheapest Liberal Arts and Sciences Colleges in Massachusetts

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

Harvard University and MIT appear on this list of most affordable Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Massachusetts, with net prices of $16,816 and $19,813 respectively after financial aid. This surprising reality reflects the generous aid packages these elite institutions offer, placing them among options that range from $14,334 to $25,299 annually. Public universities like Worcester State ($14,738 net price) and Fitchburg State ($15,432) provide traditional affordability, while private schools demonstrate wide variation in actual costs after aid. Massachusetts employers in biotech, healthcare, and technology sectors increasingly value liberal arts graduates for their critical thinking and communication skills, particularly as these industries require professionals who can bridge technical and humanistic perspectives. The state's concentration of colleges per capita creates a competitive environment where even top-tier institutions must work to attract talented students through substantial financial support. Graduation rates span from 35% to 97%, with earnings for program graduates ranging from $28,236 to $37,568 annually.
44
Programs
$14,334 – $43,273
Net Price Range
$32,106
Avg. Program Earnings
66.3%
Avg. Graduation Rate

44 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,334 $22,490 44.4% 57.9%
2 $14,590 $37,227 56.9% 75.6%
3 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
4 $15,432 $11,046 52.7% 86.1%
5 $16,698 $11,630 49.5% 87.4%
6 $16,816 $59,076 97.3% 3.2%
7 $17,733 $28,610 35.3% 61.9%
8 $18,246 $67,280 93.4% 7.3%
9 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%
10 $18,441 $11,978 55.0% 92.7%
11 $18,561 $11,882 54.9% 81.5%
12 $18,627 $16,570 70.1% 86.0%
13 $19,813 $60,156 96.1% 4.0%
14 $20,605 $15,208 49.0% 95.5%
15 $21,436 $42,061 64.7% 90.9%
16 $23,691 $17,357 83.2% 63.5%
17 $24,817 $28,100 67.6% 91.8%
18 $24,944 $26,000 53.2% 73.2%
19 $25,008 $64,320 91.2% 13.6%
20 $25,299 $42,970 42.3% 89.4%
21 $25,702 $35,013 28.4% 74.2%
22 $25,810 $56,630 57.2% 68.9%
23 $26,181 $61,568 89.7% 22.9%
24 $26,996 $65,168 90.0% 14.4%
25 $27,313 $45,538 71.2% 76.5%
26 $27,711 $55,160 77.1% 50.3%
27 $28,346 $47,770 69.5% 88.8%
28 $28,853 $49,414 74.6% 82.3%
29 $29,187 $43,707 67.6% 75.6%
30 $29,396 $43,064 40.4% 69.6%
31 $29,504 $46,220 48.3% 87.5%
32 $29,562 $64,142 85.0% 39.8%
33 $30,031 $45,380 59.8% 86.8%
34 $30,236 $44,960 43.2% 76.0%
35 $31,170 $46,430 63.9% 88.0%
36 $31,569 $46,686 65.8% 79.7%
37 $31,805 $32,780 61.7% 86.2%
38 $32,116 $63,141 90.4% 6.8%
39 $35,435 $67,844 93.3% 9.7%
40 $36,684 $66,594 54.2% 95.5%
41 $37,899 $51,786 72.1% 74.6%
42 $38,787 $58,150 88.2% 57.9%
43 $39,324 $39,212 75.4% 73.3%
44 $43,273 $59,070 88.4% 57.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do elite private schools compare to public universities in actual costs?

Harvard's net price of $16,816 falls between Worcester State at $14,738 and Framingham State at $16,698. MIT costs $19,813 after aid, comparable to UMass-Dartmouth at $20,605. These elite institutions use substantial endowments to provide generous financial aid, often making them more affordable than their sticker prices suggest. Public universities maintain lower base tuition but offer less full aid packages.

What earnings can graduates expect from these affordable programs?

Liberal arts graduates from these programs earn between $28,236 and $37,568 annually. UMass-Dartmouth graduates lead at $37,568, while Salem State graduates start at $28,236. Bay Path University graduates earn $35,060 with $27,000 in typical debt. Massachusetts' strong job market in healthcare, biotech, and technology provides multiple career paths for liberal arts graduates with strong analytical and communication skills.

Does graduation rate correlate with program cost?

The relationship between cost and graduation rates varies significantly across institutions. Harvard achieves a 97.3% graduation rate with a $16,816 net price, while Eastern Nazarene College has a 35.3% rate at $17,733. Public universities cluster between 49% and 70% graduation rates with similar net prices. Institutional resources and student support services often matter more than price alone in determining completion rates.

Where do students find the best value among these programs?

Worcester State University offers strong value at $14,738 net price with a 55.5% graduation rate and $17,500 typical debt. UMass-Lowell provides excellent outcomes at $18,627 with 70.1% graduation rates and $30,047 earnings. Hellenic College offers the lowest net price at $14,334, though it serves a specialized Orthodox Christian community. Students should consider graduation rates and career outcomes alongside affordability.

How does Massachusetts support in-state students pursuing liberal arts?

The MassGrant Plus program helps reduce costs for in-state students at public universities, with schools like Fitchburg State charging $11,046 in-state tuition. State universities maintain acceptance rates between 80% and 95%, providing accessible entry points. Massachusetts' high concentration of colleges creates competition for students, leading to better financial aid packages. The state's knowledge economy values liberal arts skills in critical thinking and communication across multiple industries.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.