2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

For return on investment in value, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Value graduates carry a median of $14,475 in student loans. 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.

2

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Farmingdale State College earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $38,789. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

3

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

A rank of #3 makes Onondaga Community College one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,623. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Onondaga Community College generally make around $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Salisbury University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.

5

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland University College one of the best values for value. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,136, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Students borrow a median of $29,200 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $74,688. Set against $29,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Herkimer County Community College
Herkimer, NY

Herkimer County Community College landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $31,468. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred
Alfred, NY

Suny College Of Technology At Alfred placed #7 among the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Value graduates carry a median of $19,721 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $43,831. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

8

Anne Arundel Community College
Arnold, MD

Anne Arundel Community College placed #8 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,322 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $59,894. That is a strong return on a $13,947 median debt.

9

Saint Josephs College New York
Brooklyn, NY

Saint Josephs College New York earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $36,550 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

10

Towson University
Towson, MD

Towson University earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Towson University earn a median of $52,989 early in their careers. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

11

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA

Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #11 for value in value this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore placed #12 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Value graduates carry a median of $29,681 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,511. Set against $29,681 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.

13

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Value graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

14

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $37,800. Value graduates carry a median of $25,462 in student loans. Value graduates of La Salle University earn a median of $54,618 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,462 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

15

Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, while out-of-state students pay about $26,932. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,488. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

16

Utica College
Utica, NY

Utica College placed #16 among the best values for value. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,237. Value graduates of Utica College earn a median of $69,701 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,237 median debt. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants.

17

Gannon University
Erie, PA

Gannon University earned the #17 position for value in 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. Students borrow a median of $26,934 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $73,658. That is a strong return on a $26,934 median debt. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.

18

Hilbert College
Hamburg, NY

Hilbert College landed the #18 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,740. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hilbert College generally make around $32,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

19

Long Island University C W Post Campus
Brookville, NY

Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $61,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.

20

Robert Morris University
Moon Township, PA

Robert Morris University landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,770. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Value graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $69,872 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

21

Point Park University
Pittsburgh, PA

Point Park University landed the #21 spot for value value this year. Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Value graduates carry a median of $28,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Point Park University generally make around $40,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Point Park University admits about 97% of applicants.

22

Stevenson University
Owings Mills, MD

Stevenson University landed the #22 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. 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. The acceptance rate is 79%.

23

Mercyhurst College
Erie, PA

Mercyhurst College placed #23 among the best values for value. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,705. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mercyhurst College generally make around $46,009. Set against $25,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercyhurst College admits about 81% of applicants.

24

Loyola University Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

Loyola University Baltimore came in at #24 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $54,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of Scranton
Scranton, PA

University Of Scranton ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Scranton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,500. Early-career value graduates make about $56,861. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.