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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

41 Colleges in the United States
$24,687 Avg Student Debt
$63,918 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Secondary Education Badge [Secondary Education](/majors/education/teacher-education-development-levels-methods/secondary-education/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 113 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for secondary education students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Secondary Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in secondary education, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Secondary Education Schools

1

Leading the list is Cuny Queens College, our #1 best value for secondary education in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Queens College is a very large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $13,100. Secondary Education graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $41,847 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,100 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

2

University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $19,500. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $53,054. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

3

A rank of #3 makes Suny College At Old Westbury one of the best values for secondary education. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $44,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

4
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in secondary education, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $62,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

A rank of #5 makes Anne Arundel Community College one of the best values for secondary education. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.

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6

Montgomery County Community College came in at #6 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the suburb of Blue Bell, Montgomery County Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,690, with out-of-state students paying around $17,250. Students borrow a median of $14,250 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $20,885. That is a strong return on a $14,250 median debt.

7

Community College Of Philadelphia came in at #7 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Community College Of Philadelphia is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,632, with out-of-state students paying around $12,744. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $14,000. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $28,805. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

University Of Delaware came in at #8 for value in secondary education this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $48,587. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.

9
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University landed the #9 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $18,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $56,953. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

10

Northampton County Area Community College landed the #10 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,796 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $26,956. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

Harford Community College landed the #11 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,032, compared with $8,832 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the secondary education program here. Secondary Education graduates of Harford Community College earn a median of $50,636 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Students borrow a median of $22,804 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $50,544. That is a strong return on a $22,804 median debt. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.

13
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University landed the #13 spot for secondary education value this year. 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. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $24,500. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $51,335. Set against $24,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

University Of Maryland University College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $53,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,276 median debt.

15

Frostburg State University landed the #15 spot for secondary education value this year. Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Frostburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Secondary Education graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $48,888 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.

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16

Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg earned the #16 position for value in secondary education this year. Set in the city of Harrisburg, Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,975, while out-of-state students pay about $12,472. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $16,838 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Harrisburg Area Community College Harrisburg generally make around $30,289. That is a strong return on a $16,838 median debt.

17

Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #17 for value in secondary education this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $48,657. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.

18

Trinity Washington University placed #18 among the best values for secondary education. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $26,610 in tuition and fees. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $31,194 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $64,890. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.

19
Cecil College crest
Cecil College
North East, MD

Cecil College placed #19 among the best values for secondary education. Cecil College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of North East. In-state tuition and fees average $5,640, while out-of-state students pay about $10,830. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,952.

20

William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value secondary education schools. Located in the suburb of Wayne, William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,704, while out-of-state students pay about $25,344. Secondary Education graduates carry a median of $24,671 in student loans. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $59,208. Set against $24,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.

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21

Johns Hopkins University landed the #21 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the secondary education program here. Soon after graduation, secondary education degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

22

East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #22 spot for secondary education value this year. Set in the town of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. 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 $27,000 to complete the secondary education program here. Early-career secondary education graduates make about $35,557. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 92% of applicants.

23

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #23 for value in secondary education this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.

24

Pennsylvania Western University landed the #24 spot for secondary education value this year. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Median earnings reach $47,295 ten years out. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

25
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #25 position for value in secondary education this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for secondary education graduates is $23,521. Secondary Education graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Secondary Education Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in secondary education:

26
Canisius College crest
Canisius College
Buffalo, NY
27
28
29
30
Mcdaniel College crest
Mcdaniel College
Westminster, MD
31
32
33
Caldwell College crest
Caldwell College
Caldwell, NJ
34
35
36
37
38
Le Moyne College crest
Le Moyne College
Syracuse, NY
39
Houghton College crest
Houghton College
Houghton, NY
40
41
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA
42
43
44
Geneva College crest
Geneva College
Beaver Falls, PA
45
Cedar Crest College crest
Cedar Crest College
Allentown, PA
46
Goucher College crest
Goucher College
Baltimore, MD
47
Carlow University crest
Carlow University
Pittsburgh, PA
48
49
Marywood University crest
Marywood University
Scranton, PA
50
Utica College crest
Utica College
Utica, NY

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 113 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 41 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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