2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/financial-forensics-and-fraud-investigation/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 25 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
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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
Our analysis ranked Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice the best value for a degree in value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,475. Early-career value graduates make about $57,403. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Salisbury University earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Value graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $45,476. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Baltimore one of the best values for value. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,681. Early-career value graduates make about $56,837. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
La Salle University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,800. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.
A rank of #5 makes Utica College one of the best values for value. Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $26,930 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,237. Value graduates of Utica College earn a median of $69,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,574 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $24,488 in student loans. Value graduates of Rowan University earn a median of $52,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Hilbert College earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,740 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $41,196. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Value graduates carry a median of $26,934 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Gannon University generally make around $73,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Stevenson University ranked #9 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. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,042. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $62,501. That is a strong return on a $27,042 median debt. The acceptance rate is 79%.
University Of Scranton landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Scranton generally make around $56,861. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
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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 · 25 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.