2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Value graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $58,595. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,895 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $57,673 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.

3

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for value. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,389. Value graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $57,399 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

4

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at University Of Maryland University College, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,202. Early-career value graduates make about $74,053. Set against $29,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Suny Empire State College, which ranked #5. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD

Johns Hopkins University earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,426. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $78,510. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

7

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus
Teaneck, NJ

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #7 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,770. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $66,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.

8

Kean University
Union, NJ

Kean University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $31,000. Value graduates of Kean University earn a median of $50,338 early in their careers. Set against $31,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.

9

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #9 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $58,115 early in their careers. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

10

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,757. Value graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $46,023 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

11

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany placed #11 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $61,642. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.

12

University Of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD

University Of Baltimore ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $67,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.

13

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $89,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

14

Rutgers University Camden
Camden, NJ

Rutgers University Camden landed the #14 spot for value value this year. Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Camden. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,764, with out-of-state students paying around $37,276. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,577. Value graduates of Rutgers University Camden earn a median of $58,428 early in their careers. Set against $24,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

15

Rutgers University Newark
Newark, NJ

Rutgers University Newark ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Rutgers University Newark is a large public school located in the city of Newark. In-state tuition and fees average $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Value graduates carry a median of $25,065 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $58,428. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

16

Pennsylvania State University World Campus
University Park, PA

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #16 spot for value value this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.

17

Bowie State University
Bowie, MD

Bowie State University placed #17 among the best values for value. Set in the suburb of Bowie, Bowie State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,218, compared with $19,938 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,474 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Bowie State University earn a median of $73,949 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,474 median debt. Bowie State University admits about 72% of applicants.

18

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton came in at #18 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,691. Early-career value graduates make about $51,800. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.

19

Strayer University Global Region
Washington, DC

Strayer University Global Region landed the #19 spot for value value this year. Strayer University Global Region is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Washington. In-state tuition and fees average $13,920. Typical student debt for value graduates is $45,932. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Strayer University Global Region generally make around $49,512. That is a strong return on a $45,932 median debt.

20

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #20 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.

21

Metropolitan College Of New York
New York, NY

Metropolitan College Of New York placed #21 among the best values for value. Set in the city of New York, Metropolitan College Of New York is a small private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,188. Typical student debt for value graduates is $42,218. Early-career value graduates make about $49,765. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

22

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #22 spot for value value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,958. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $59,098. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

23

Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University landed the #23 spot for value value this year. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. Students from in state pay about $53,170 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,422. Value graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $52,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,422 median debt. Seton Hall University admits about 73% of applicants.

24

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for value graduates is $16,155. Early-career value graduates make about $83,208. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

25

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Carnegie Mellon University earned the #25 position for value in value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,636 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $66,915. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 12%.