2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Value](/majors/ethnic-cultural-gender-studies/ethnic-studies/ethnic-cultural-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for value graduates is $10,698. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,007. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,094 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $32,083. Set against $14,094 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for value. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Students borrow a median of $20,532 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $26,973. That is a strong return on a $20,532 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,794. Value graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at William Paterson University Of New Jersey earned it the #5 place for value. 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,644. Early-career value graduates make about $46,981. That is a strong return on a $25,644 median debt. William Paterson University Of New Jersey admits about 90% of applicants.
Gallaudet University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Washington, Gallaudet University is a small private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $19,654. Value graduates carry a median of $28,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Gallaudet University generally make around $31,541. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,469. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Set against $24,469 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #8 for value in value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
The New School ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,730. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,460. Early-career value graduates make about $38,468. That is a strong return on a $24,460 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.
