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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
Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best value for a degree in value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Value graduates carry a median of $14,475 in student loans. Value graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $43,545 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Gannon University earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,656. Value graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $73,658. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Stevenson University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Owings Mills. Students from in state pay about $40,560 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $62,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes George Washington University one of the best values for value. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $53,979. Set against $22,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Narrow Value Schools by State
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 · 12 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.
ADBLOCK #116
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/criminalistics-and-criminal-science/) 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.
