2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 31 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Value graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $50,281. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Camden County College one of the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $4,416. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,999. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Camden County College generally make around $37,346. Set against $12,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Ulster County Community College one of the best values for value. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Students borrow a median of $12,854 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $37,346. That is a strong return on a $12,854 median debt.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, with out-of-state students paying around $5,763. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,154. Early-career value graduates make about $38,035. Set against $11,154 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bergen Community College came in at #6 for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Paramus, Bergen Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,913 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,294. Typical student debt for value graduates is $21,000. Value graduates of Bergen Community College earn a median of $41,150 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Students borrow a median of $15,991 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $40,106. That is a strong return on a $15,991 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,764. Value graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Set in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Value graduates carry a median of $14,450 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $37,381. That is a strong return on a $14,450 median debt.
Northampton County Area Community College placed #10 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,550, with out-of-state students paying around $15,270. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,900. Early-career value graduates make about $34,335. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Alfred. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,500. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Alfred generally make around $36,293. That is a strong return on a $14,500 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton placed #12 among the best values for value. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,742 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,769. Students borrow a median of $20,310 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $37,352. Set against $20,310 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College landed the #13 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for value graduates is $28,304. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi placed #14 among the best values for value. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,762. Value graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Delhi generally make around $37,771. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Manor College landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Manor College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Jenkintown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,780. Value graduates carry a median of $29,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Manor College generally make around $43,308. Set against $29,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Lancaster County Career And Technology Center landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Willow Street, Lancaster County Career And Technology Center is a small public institution. Value graduates carry a median of $13,858 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $48,126. Set against $13,858 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #17 for value in value this year. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. In-state tuition and fees average $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.
Yti Career Institute York landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of York, Yti Career Institute York is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $16,829 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Yti Career Institute York earn a median of $32,097 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,829 median debt.
Vet Tech Institute earned the #19 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Vet Tech Institute is a small private for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,320. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,984. Value graduates of Vet Tech Institute earn a median of $30,990 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Johnson College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Scranton, Johnson College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $21,225 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $16,083 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Johnson College earn a median of $37,373 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,083 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Great Lakes Institute Of Technology came in at #21 for value in value this year. Great Lakes Institute Of Technology is a small private for-profit school located in the suburb of Erie. Students borrow a median of $10,208 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Great Lakes Institute Of Technology earn a median of $18,155 early in their careers. Set against $10,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Wilson College landed the #22 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Chambersburg, Wilson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $27,100 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,562 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Wilson College earn a median of $35,554 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Wilson College admits about 92% of applicants.
Institute Of Medical Careers ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Pittsburgh, Institute Of Medical Careers is a small private for-profit university. Students borrow a median of $18,889 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Institute Of Medical Careers generally make around $26,365.
Long Island University C W Post Campus placed #24 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,211. Early-career value graduates make about $61,547. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Harcum College placed #25 among the best values for value. Harcum College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Bryn Mawr. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $32,000. Students borrow a median of $22,531 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $39,288. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 31 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
- 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
