Best colleges for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Massachusetts
Ranked by graduate earnings
Worcester State University, University of Massachusetts-Lowell and University of Massachusetts-Amherst are the top bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Massachusetts by graduate earnings. Worcester State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,996, College Scorecard. University of Massachusetts-Lowell, University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Greenfield Community College award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Massachusetts: 82, 71 and 70 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 46 Massachusetts colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences and award 2,284 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
Top 9 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Worcester State University Worcester Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,996 | 25 | 61% | — | $23,907 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,140 | 82 | 65% | — | $27,000 |
| 3 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public · Bachelor's degree | $36,362 | 71 | 83% | — | $25,742 |
| 4 | Lesley University Cambridge Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $35,658 | 44 | 58% | $30,837 | $30,057 |
| 5 | Westfield State University Westfield Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,004 | 42 | 54% | — | $27,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $103,135 | 8 | 96% | $11,666 | $11,935 |
| 7 | Endicott College Beverly Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $45,277 | 19 | 76% | $34,195 | $15,456 |
| 8 | Bay Path University Longmeadow Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,141 | 16 | 44% | $16,859 | $29,572 |
| 9 | Framingham State University Framingham Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $31,613 | 13 | 48% | — | $23,250 |
Top 10 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harvard University Cambridge Private not-for-profit · Associate degree | $40,995 | 26 | 98% | $15,013 | $20,126 |
| 2 | Springfield Technical Community College Springfield Public · Associate degree | $30,413 | 130 | 32% | — | $8,734 |
| 3 | Bunker Hill Community College Boston Public · Associate degree | $38,348 | 134 | 13% | — | $9,585 |
| 4 | Massachusetts Bay Community College Wellesley Hills Public · Associate degree | $37,790 | 88 | 17% | — | $8,750 |
| 5 | Quinsigamond Community College Worcester Public · Associate degree | $33,524 | 77 | 22% | — | $14,250 |
| 6 | North Shore Community College Danvers Public · Associate degree | $33,353 | 171 | 18% | — | $9,000 |
| 7 | Northern Essex Community College Haverhill Public · Associate degree | $31,549 | 109 | 21% | — | $9,969 |
| 8 | Middlesex Community College Bedford Public · Associate degree | $31,451 | 188 | 23% | — | $7,928 |
| 9 | Bristol Community College Fall River Public · Associate degree | $31,206 | 277 | 22% | — | $8,250 |
| 10 | Mount Wachusett Community College Gardner Public · Associate degree | $28,600 | 80 | 24% | — | $11,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Massachusetts
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell Public | 82 | $37,140 |
| 2 | University of Massachusetts-Amherst Amherst Public | 71 | $36,362 |
| 3 | Greenfield Community College Greenfield Public | 70 | Not reported |
| 4 | Lesley University Cambridge Private not-for-profit | 44 | $35,658 |
| 5 | Westfield State University Westfield Public | 42 | $35,004 |
| 6 | Merrimack College North Andover Private not-for-profit | 37 | Not reported |
| 7 | Worcester State University Worcester Public | 25 | $43,996 |
| 8 | Endicott College Beverly Private not-for-profit | 19 | $45,277 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Professional Programs Boston Private not-for-profit | 19 | Not reported |
| 10 | Bay Path University Longmeadow Private not-for-profit | 16 | $41,141 |
ShowHide the other 36 Massachusetts colleges offering Liberal Arts and Sciences
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (SOC 25-1199).
What Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Massachusetts
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Massachusetts.
Which Massachusetts colleges award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees?+
University of Massachusetts-Lowell (82 graduates a year), University of Massachusetts-Amherst (71 graduates a year) and Greenfield Community College (70 graduates a year) award the most Liberal Arts and Sciences degrees in Massachusetts, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 46 Massachusetts colleges offer Liberal Arts and Sciences.
What is the best college for Liberal Arts and Sciences in Massachusetts?+
By graduate earnings, Worcester State University leads among bachelor's Liberal Arts and Sciences programs in Massachusetts, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $43,996, College Scorecard. University of Massachusetts-Lowell and University of Massachusetts-Amherst follow. By degrees awarded, University of Massachusetts-Lowell is the largest, with 82 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Liberal Arts and Sciences program in Massachusetts has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Worcester State University tops the list at $43,996. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Postsecondary Teachers, All Other earn in Massachusetts?+
The average annual wage for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other in Massachusetts is $116,540 (median $94,480), across about 1,790 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Liberal Arts and Sciences program?+
The Liberal Arts and Sciences program, formally known as Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities, offers a broad educational foundation in various disciplines. This program is designed for students seeking a well-rounded…
What is the job outlook for Postsecondary Teachers, All Other?+
The national job outlook is about +1.8% growth with around 13,500 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Doctoral or professional degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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