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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Best Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

21 Colleges in the United States
2,746 Best Degrees Awarded
$65,549 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best best schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Best in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Best

1

Johns Hopkins University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in best. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 84 best students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $78,510 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,426. More information about a degree in best from Johns Hopkins University

2

George Washington University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #2. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. George Washington University awarded about 60 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from George Washington University earn around $78,177 in the first couple years of their career. George Washington University graduates carry a median of $22,910 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from George Washington University

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 169 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $83,208 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of Pennsylvania

4
American University crest
American University
Washington, DC

American University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. Located in the city of Washington, American University is a large private not-for-profit university. American University graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 162 best students who graduated with this degree at American University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of American University earn a median of $78,068 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,139 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for American University

5

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #5. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 55 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $59,098 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

6
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University earned the #6 position for best this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 262 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from New York University generally make around $82,887. Typical student debt for the program is $21,897. Get the full best details for New York University

7

Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #7 among the best best schools. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 409 best degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Best graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $89,478 early in their careers. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Columbia University In The City Of New York

8

Cornell University landed the #8 spot for best this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. About 129 best degrees were awarded at Cornell University in the most recent year. Best graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $61,190 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $15,005. More information about a degree in best from Cornell University

9
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University placed #9 among the best best schools. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. About 227 best degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $68,350. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. Read more about the best program at Syracuse University

10
Villanova University crest
Villanova University
Villanova, PA

Villanova University came in at #10 for best this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Villanova. About 92% of students finish within six years. Villanova University awarded about 50 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Villanova University earn around $72,577 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,184. See the full best program report for Villanova University

11

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College awarded about 170 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $58,595 early in their careers. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

12
Marist College crest
Marist College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Marist College came in at #12 for best this year. Marist College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 52 best degrees were awarded at Marist College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Marist College earn around $84,712 in the first couple years of their career. Marist College graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Marist College

13
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany earned the #13 position for best this year. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 77 best degrees were awarded at Suny At Albany in the most recent year. Best graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $61,642 early in their careers. Suny At Albany graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. See the full best program report for Suny At Albany

14

Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #14 among the best best schools. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 70 best students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University World Campus in the most recent data year. See the full best program report for Pennsylvania State University World Campus

15

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania came in at #15 for best this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 48 best students who graduated with this degree at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Read more about the best program at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania

16

Carnegie Mellon University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Carnegie Mellon University graduates 94% of students within six years. About 17 best degrees were awarded at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $66,915. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full best program report for Carnegie Mellon University

17

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #17 among the best best schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. There were roughly 145 best students who graduated with this degree at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $57,673 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,895 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice

18

Rutgers University Newark came in at #18 for best this year. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a large public university. Rutgers University Newark graduates 64% of students within six years. Rutgers University Newark awarded about 79 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Rutgers University Newark earn around $58,428 in the first couple years of their career. Rutgers University Newark graduates carry a median of $25,065 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Rutgers University Newark

19

Cuny Graduate School And University Center earned the #19 position for best this year. This large public university is located in the city of New York. Cuny Graduate School And University Center awarded about 13 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Cuny Graduate School And University Center earn a median of $72,222 early in their careers. Cuny Graduate School And University Center graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Cuny Graduate School And University Center

20

University Of Delaware landed the #20 spot for best this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 29 best degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Delaware earn around $58,115 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Read more about the best program at University Of Delaware

21

Suny At Binghamton landed the #21 spot for best this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 best students who graduated with this degree at Suny At Binghamton in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Suny At Binghamton earn around $51,800 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for Suny At Binghamton

22

University Of Maryland University College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public institution. University Of Maryland University College graduates 20% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland University College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Maryland University College earn around $74,053 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,202 to complete this degree. Get the full best details for University Of Maryland University College

23

Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus landed the #23 spot for best this year. Set in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 best students who graduated with this degree at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn around $66,770 in the first couple years of their career. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus graduates carry a median of $24,770 in student loans. Read more about the best program at Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus

24

Rutgers University Camden came in at #24 for best this year. Located in the city of Camden, Rutgers University Camden is a moderately-sized public university. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University Camden awarded about 23 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Rutgers University Camden generally make around $58,428. Students borrow a median of $24,577 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Rutgers University Camden

25
Excelsior College crest
Excelsior College
Albany, NY

Excelsior College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Set in the city of Albany, Excelsior College is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 31 best degrees were awarded at Excelsior College in the most recent year. Best graduates of Excelsior College earn a median of $70,677 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $19,311. Read more about the best program at Excelsior College

Rest of the Top 34 Best Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s best ranking:

26
27
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ
28
Cuny City College crest
Cuny City College
New York, NY
29
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY
30
31
32
Kean University crest
Kean University
Union, NJ
33
34

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 75 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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