2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in Massachusetts
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in Massachusetts? We have ranked 144 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Grad Degree analyzed 38 schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Massachusetts
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Worcester State University earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in Massachusetts. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,786, while out-of-state students pay about $17,866. Graduates carry a median of $24,451 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,624 ten years after entry. Set against $24,451 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Worcester State University
Gordon College came in at #2 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Massachusetts. Based in Wenham, MA, Gordon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $30,700. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,372. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $52,119. That is a strong return on a $26,372 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%. See the full Gordon College profile
You'll get strong value at Fitchburg State University, which ranked #3 this year. Located in Fitchburg, MA, Fitchburg State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,346, with out-of-state students paying around $17,426. Fitchburg State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,840 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,874. That is a strong return on a $25,840 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. See the full Fitchburg State University profile
Westfield State University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Massachusetts. Based in Westfield, MA, Westfield State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,179, while out-of-state students pay about $18,259. Westfield State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,910 in debt. Westfield State University alumni report median earnings of $57,346 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,910 median debt. About 81% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Westfield State University
Anna Maria College came in at #5 on this year's best-value Graduate Degrees ranking in Massachusetts. Set in Paxton, MA, Anna Maria College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $44,571 in tuition and fees. Anna Maria College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,734 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,651. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Anna Maria College admits about 50% of applicants. See the full Anna Maria College profile
Lasell College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Newton, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $27,040. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,808. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,705. That is a strong return on a $26,808 median debt. Lasell College has an acceptance rate of 81%. See the full Lasell College profile
Endicott College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Beverly, MA, Endicott College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,650. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,973. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,336. Set against $25,973 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 71% of those who apply are admitted. More on Endicott College
Salem State University placed #8 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. Located in Salem, MA, Salem State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,176 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,662 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $27,176 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%. Read the full report on Salem State University
Framingham State University landed the #9 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Located in Framingham, MA, Framingham State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,920, compared with $18,000 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,872 in student loans. Framingham State University alumni report median earnings of $52,349 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,872 median debt. Framingham State University admits about 84% of applicants. See the full Framingham State University profile
American International College placed #10 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. Located in Springfield, MA, American International College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $44,230. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $30,390. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,124. That is a strong return on a $30,390 median debt. American International College has an acceptance rate of 100%. Read more about American International College
Emmanuel College Massachusetts came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Emmanuel College Massachusetts is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Students from in state pay about $48,550 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,866. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,245. That is a strong return on a $26,866 median debt. About 76% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Emmanuel College Massachusetts
University Of Massachusetts Amherst offered strong value this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,631. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
Bridgewater State University landed the #13 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Bridgewater State University is a public school based in Bridgewater, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,734, compared with $17,874 for out-of-state students. Bridgewater State University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,632 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $57,466 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. See the full Bridgewater State University profile
University Of Massachusetts Lowell ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Lowell, MA, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,574 in student loans. Median earnings reach $64,874 ten years out. Set against $25,574 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 83% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell report
Assumption College landed the #15 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Located in Worcester, MA, Assumption College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,356. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,995. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,895. That is a strong return on a $26,995 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Assumption College
Northeastern University Global Network offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Based in Boston, MA, Northeastern University Global Network is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $50,688 in tuition and fees. Northeastern University Global Network Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $27,055 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $92,538. That is a strong return on a $27,055 median debt. Read more about Northeastern University Global Network
Northeastern University landed the #17 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,162. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,611. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $92,538. Set against $25,611 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northeastern University admits about 5% of applicants. See the full Northeastern University profile
Simmons College placed #18 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. This private not-for-profit school is set in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $46,874. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,740. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,494. That is a strong return on a $26,740 median debt. Simmons College admits about 70% of applicants. Read more about Simmons College
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Cambridge, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,396. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $13,516. Median earnings reach $143,372 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted. More on Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
Worcester Polytechnic Institute landed the #20 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Set in Worcester, MA, Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $60,765. Graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $103,470. That is a strong return on a $26,259 median debt. Worcester Polytechnic Institute admits about 60% of applicants. More on Worcester Polytechnic Institute
College Of Our Lady Of The Elms ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Chicopee, MA, College Of Our Lady Of The Elms is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,325 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,854. Median earnings reach $51,540 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Our Lady Of The Elms admits about 85% of applicants. More on College Of Our Lady Of The Elms
Boston College landed the #22 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Boston College is a private not-for-profit school based in Chestnut Hill, MA. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $18,101. Boston College alumni report median earnings of $103,937 a decade after entry. Set against $18,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants. Read the full report on Boston College
Cambridge College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Set in Boston, MA, Cambridge College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $18,378 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $29,776. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $45,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Cambridge College
Lesley University landed the #24 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Set in Cambridge, MA, Lesley University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,256. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,818. Lesley University alumni report median earnings of $51,173 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,818 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. More on Lesley University
University Of Massachusetts Boston placed #25 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. University Of Massachusetts Boston is a public school based in Boston, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $15,898, compared with $38,115 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,236. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $65,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Boston report
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in Massachusetts
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Bay Path College offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Located in Longmeadow, MA, Bay Path College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,302 in tuition and fees. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $29,811. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,383 ten years after entry. Set against $29,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Bay Path College
Bentley University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Waltham, MA, Bentley University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,000. Students borrow a median of $25,476 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $120,959. That is a strong return on a $25,476 median debt. Bentley University has an acceptance rate of 45%. See the full Bentley University profile
Harvard University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Cambridge, MA, Harvard University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $101,817. That is a strong return on a $16,616 median debt. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants. More on Harvard University
Emerson College landed the #29 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Emerson College is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Students from in state pay about $57,056 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,813 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,832 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,813 median debt. Emerson College admits about 51% of applicants. Read the full report on Emerson College
University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Located in North Dartmouth, MA, University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,612, compared with $32,567 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,106. University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth alumni report median earnings of $68,804 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%. More on University Of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Western New England University ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Springfield, MA. Students from in state pay about $47,820 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,520. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $73,157. That is a strong return on a $25,520 median debt. Western New England University admits about 84% of applicants. See the full Western New England University profile
Tufts University placed #32 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. Based in Medford, MA, Tufts University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,704. Graduates carry a median of $17,074 in student loans. Median earnings reach $83,214 ten years out. Set against $17,074 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Tufts University
Springfield College landed the #33 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Located in Springfield, MA, Springfield College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $44,974. Students borrow a median of $27,151 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $48,036 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,151 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Springfield College report
Boston University landed the #34 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Located in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,102. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,232. Graduates go on to earn a median of $83,238 ten years after entry. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University has an acceptance rate of 11%. See the full Boston University profile
Brandeis University placed #35 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. This private not-for-profit school is set in Waltham, MA. In-state tuition and fees average $68,080. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,653. Brandeis University alumni report median earnings of $77,231 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,653 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%. Get the full Brandeis University report
Suffolk University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Boston, MA, Suffolk University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $47,550. Students borrow a median of $26,670 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,506. That is a strong return on a $26,670 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Suffolk University
Clark University offered strong value this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Worcester, MA, Clark University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,153 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $62,381 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Clark University report
Merrimack College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in North Andover, MA, Merrimack College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,962. Merrimack College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $26,913 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $75,584 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Merrimack College admits about 70% of applicants. More on Merrimack College
Olin College
Olin College placed #39 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in Massachusetts. Get the full Olin College report
Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read more about Catherine Hinds Institute Of Esthetics
Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. See the full Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary profile
Charles H Mccann Technical School landed the #42 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. More on Charles H Mccann Technical School
Alexander Academy came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Alexander Academy
Massachusetts College Of Art And Design landed the #44 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Read more about Massachusetts College Of Art And Design
Holyoke Community College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. See the full Holyoke Community College profile
New England College Of Optometry landed the #46 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. Get the full New England College Of Optometry report
New England Hair Academy ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. More on New England Hair Academy
Bancroft School Of Massage Therapy ranked #48 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Get the full Bancroft School Of Massage Therapy report
Greenfield Community College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Greenfield Community College report
Southeastern Technical Institute landed the #50 spot for value in Massachusetts this year. More on Southeastern Technical Institute
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 38 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 144 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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