2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Students borrow a median of $17,398 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.

3

Middlesex County College
Edison, NJ

A rank of #3 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $7,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $16,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.

5

The Community College Of Baltimore County
Baltimore, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #5 place for general education. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,804. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

6

Lehigh Carbon Community College
Schnecksville, PA

Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Butler County Community College
Butler, PA

Butler County Community College placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. General Education graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.

8

Montclair State University
Montclair, NJ

Montclair State University placed #8 among the best values for general education. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $61,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

9

Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA

Holy Family University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,562. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,924. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.

10

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,422. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $39,046. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. General Education graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $63,838 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

12

Brookdale Community College
Lincroft, NJ

Brookdale Community College earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $19,157. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
Johnstown, PA

Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,732. General Education graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,732 median debt.

14

Trinity Washington University
Washington, DC

Trinity Washington University earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,194. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. Trinity Washington University admits about 100% of applicants.

15

Howard Community College
Columbia, MD

Howard Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,115. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.

16

Reading Area Community College
Reading, PA

Reading Area Community College placed #16 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Salem Community College
Carneys Point, NJ

Salem Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,232. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.

18

Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College came in at #18 for value in general education 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

19

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of The District Of Columbia
Washington, DC

University Of The District Of Columbia placed #20 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,200. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,060. That is a strong return on a $11,200 median debt.

21

Frostburg State University
Frostburg, MD

Frostburg State University placed #21 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,340. General Education graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $56,800 early in their careers. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

22

Gloucester County College
Sewell, NJ

Gloucester County College came in at #22 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,987. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,274. That is a strong return on a $10,987 median debt.

23

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,722. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

24

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University earned the #24 position for value in general education this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $51,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

25

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. General Education graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $33,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt.