2026 Best Value Finance Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Finance](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/finance-financial-management/finance/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 152 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for finance students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Finance Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the finance degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Finance Schools
For return on investment in finance, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $54,991 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at University Of Maryland College Park, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,500. Early-career finance graduates make about $71,858. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Essex County College, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,415, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,472 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $37,915 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in finance will find it at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in finance, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $13,938. Finance graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $37,867 early in their careers. Set against $13,938 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny Queens College earned the #6 position for value in finance this year. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Finance graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Cuny Queens College generally make around $45,168. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Old Westbury placed #7 among the best values for finance. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,372 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $46,941. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University placed #8 among the best values for finance. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.
University Of Delaware landed the #9 spot for finance value this year. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,073 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $66,889 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Maryland University College placed #10 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $20,150 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $61,003 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,150 median debt.
Salisbury University placed #11 among the best values for finance. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,125 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $54,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kean University landed the #12 spot for finance value this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $24,688 to complete the finance program here. Finance graduates of Kean University earn a median of $46,685 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,688 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Saint Peters College earned the #13 position for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career finance graduates make about $50,944. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
New Jersey City University landed the #14 spot for finance value this year. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,460. Finance graduates carry a median of $23,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $44,160. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome placed #15 among the best values for finance. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $21,056. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome generally make around $56,541. That is a strong return on a $21,056 median debt. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome admits about 81% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #16 spot for finance value this year. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,976 in student loans. Finance graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $37,022 early in their careers. Set against $20,976 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #17 spot for finance value this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,010. Finance graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Finance graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $52,729 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington landed the #18 spot for finance value this year. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, compared with $25,664 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington admits about 97% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #19 for value in finance this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $19,298. Early-career finance graduates make about $51,590. Set against $19,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #20 for value in finance this year. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of East Stroudsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,202 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,527 to complete the finance program here. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $39,601. That is a strong return on a $26,527 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Rutgers University Camden came in at #21 for value in finance this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,764, compared with $37,276 for out-of-state students. Finance graduates carry a median of $22,500 in student loans. Finance graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $68,338 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rutgers University Camden admits about 66% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport placed #22 among the best values for finance. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $23,093. Finance graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $49,019 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,093 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University Newark landed the #23 spot for finance value this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,250, compared with $36,762 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,500 to complete the finance program here. Early-career finance graduates make about $68,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Goldey Beacom College earned the #24 position for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Wilmington, Goldey Beacom College is a small private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,940. Typical student debt for finance graduates is $20,743. Early-career finance graduates make about $82,409. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Goldey Beacom College admits about 84% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #25 for value in finance this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Finance graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, finance degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $67,332. That is a strong return on a $20,537 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Finance Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for finance this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 152 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 91 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.
