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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$24,650 Avg Student Debt
$63,473 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Badge [Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship](/majors/education/educational-administration/elementary-and-middle-school-administration-principalship/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 12 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for elementary & middle school administration/principalship students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in elementary & middle school administration/principalship, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Elementary & Middle School Administration/Principalship Schools

1

Suny College At Buffalo earned the #1 spot for value among elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $25,257. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $55,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

2

Suny College At Plattsburgh is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary & middle school administration/principalship, landing the #2 spot this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Students borrow a median of $24,217 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $38,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

3

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Oswego earned it the #3 place for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

4

State University Of New York At New Paltz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in elementary & middle school administration/principalship, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $111,490. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

5
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

A rank of #5 makes Suny At Albany one of the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates is $23,521. Early-career elementary & middle school administration/principalship graduates make about $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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6

University At Buffalo landed the #6 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $44,571. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

7
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value elementary & middle school administration/principalship schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $72,463. That is a strong return on a $24,488 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

8
Wilkes University crest
Wilkes University
Wilkes-Barre, PA

Wilkes University placed #8 among the best values for elementary & middle school administration/principalship. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,601 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Soon after graduation, elementary & middle school administration/principalship degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $85,253. That is a strong return on a $26,601 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

9
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #9 spot for elementary & middle school administration/principalship value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Students borrow a median of $28,838 to complete the elementary & middle school administration/principalship program here. Elementary & Middle School Administration/principalship graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $84,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,838 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 12 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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