2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 130 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Chesapeake College earned it the #2 place for general studies. Set in the rural area of Wye Mills, Chesapeake College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,274 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,768 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Chesapeake College generally make around $29,611. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earned it the #3 place for general studies. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,057. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,111. Set against $8,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Butler County Community College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $6,932 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,138. Set against $6,932 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,046. Early-career general studies graduates make about $28,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #6 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ulster County Community College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Stone Ridge. Students from in state pay about $6,666 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,750. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,015. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Monroe Community College placed #8 among the best values for general studies. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $25,252 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Schenectady County Community College came in at #9 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, while out-of-state students pay about $8,974. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,902 ten years after entry.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry came in at #10 for value in general studies this year. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Students from in state pay about $2,332 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $10,275 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Delaware County Community College came in at #11 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Media, Delaware County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,930, with out-of-state students paying around $15,540. Students borrow a median of $14,797 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Delaware County Community College generally make around $29,277. Set against $14,797 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Farmingdale State College came in at #12 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,443. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.
Erie Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,090 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $23,608. That is a strong return on a $10,090 median debt.
Orange County Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $43,442. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.
Sussex County Community College earned the #15 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Newton, Sussex County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,544, with out-of-state students paying around $9,024. Students borrow a median of $11,375 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Sussex County Community College earn a median of $27,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,375 median debt.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,048, with out-of-state students paying around $11,448. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Onondaga Community College came in at #17 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,950 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $22,966 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,950 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Students borrow a median of $11,500 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,942. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Bucks County Community College landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Newtown, Bucks County Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,646 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Students borrow a median of $10,426 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $24,235. Set against $10,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Passaic County Community College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, with out-of-state students paying around $10,560. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,625. General Studies graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $25,017 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Fulton Montgomery Community College earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,198 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,798. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,999. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Fulton Montgomery Community College generally make around $21,482. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,764. Early-career general studies graduates make about $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
County College Of Morris earned the #23 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Randolph, County College Of Morris is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,210, while out-of-state students pay about $14,310. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from County College Of Morris generally make around $30,966. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.
Somerset Christian College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the city of Newark, Somerset Christian College is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $25,900. Students borrow a median of $12,988 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Somerset Christian College generally make around $39,150. Set against $12,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Genesee Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Batavia. Students from in state pay about $5,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Students borrow a median of $10,064 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $22,079. That is a strong return on a $10,064 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Studies Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general studies this year:
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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 · 130 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 52 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.
