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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1 Colleges in the United States
$21,331 Avg Student Debt
$64,884 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Value Badge [Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/general/) 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 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

Best Value Value Schools

1

For return on investment in value, no school beat University Of Maryland Baltimore County this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.

2

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

3

A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania State University Main Campus one of the best values for value. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 7 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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