2026 Best Value Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD

For return on investment in education, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $65,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,821. Early-career education graduates make about $66,476. That is a strong return on a $11,821 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.

4

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,901. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $63,484. That is a strong return on a $12,901 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

5

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $66,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

6

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,916. Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $73,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College placed #7 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $86,381 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.

8

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $31,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.

9

Camden County College
Blackwood, NJ

Camden County College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $21,956. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

11

Essex County College
Newark, NJ

Essex County College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $23,768. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.

12

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #12 for value in education this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Education graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $49,750. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

13

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $11,854 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $59,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

14

Carroll Community College
Westminster, MD

Carroll Community College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Education graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Raritan Valley Community College
Branchburg, NJ

Raritan Valley Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Education graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.

16

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Education graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

17

Cuny Hostos Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Early-career education graduates make about $24,283. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

18

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $23,672. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Education graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

20

Delaware Technical Community College Terry
Dover, DE

Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #20 spot for education value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Montgomery College
Rockville, MD

Montgomery College came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Education graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $21,589 early in their careers. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

24

Middlesex County College
Edison, NJ

Middlesex County College landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $16,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.

25

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #25 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.