2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Accounting](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/accounting/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 320 schools to find the best return on investment for accounting students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Accounting Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in accounting, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Accounting Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $64,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in accounting will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,070 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $61,917 early in their careers. Set against $11,070 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in accounting, landing the #3 spot this year. Suffolk County Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Selden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Accounting graduates carry a median of $9,784 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $27,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #4 place for accounting. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,620 to complete the accounting program here. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $42,862. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Nassau Community College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $12,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $35,513. Set against $12,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $11,313. Accounting graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $57,767 early in their careers. Set against $11,313 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $10,197 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $30,942. Set against $10,197 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Lehman College placed #8 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,030 in student loans. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $57,005. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Essex County College placed #9 among the best values for accounting. Set in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,415, with out-of-state students paying around $9,523. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $12,472. Accounting graduates of Essex County College earn a median of $29,026 early in their careers. Set against $12,472 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $9,514. Early-career accounting graduates make about $37,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College came in at #11 for value in accounting this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Cuny Queensborough Community College earn a median of $23,674 early in their careers. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #12 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,110, while out-of-state students pay about $10,182. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $52,440. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Accounting graduates carry a median of $13,250 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,250 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #14 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $6,553. Soon after graduation, accounting degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $20,436. That is a strong return on a $6,553 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology placed #15 among the best values for accounting. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $27,467 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value accounting schools. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $7,250. Early-career accounting graduates make about $31,397. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College earned the #17 position for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,858 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $26,953 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #18 for value in accounting this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Accounting graduates carry a median of $16,232 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $41,416 early in their careers. Set against $16,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Hudson County Community College landed the #19 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Hudson County Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,384, with out-of-state students paying around $9,248. Accounting graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. Early-career accounting graduates make about $28,818. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny York College landed the #20 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $17,238. Early-career accounting graduates make about $49,751. That is a strong return on a $17,238 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Union County College earned the #21 position for value in accounting this year. Union County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Cranford. In-state tuition and fees average $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $9,500. Students borrow a median of $14,218 to complete the accounting program here. Accounting graduates of Union County College earn a median of $38,168 early in their careers. Set against $14,218 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College came in at #22 for value in accounting this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Typical student debt for accounting graduates is $14,873. Accounting graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $39,761 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Monroe Community College placed #23 among the best values for accounting. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $12,921 to complete the accounting program here. Early-career accounting graduates make about $38,757. Set against $12,921 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rockland Community College landed the #24 spot for accounting value this year. Set in the suburb of Suffern, Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Accounting graduates carry a median of $11,167 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Rockland Community College earn a median of $41,799 early in their careers. Set against $11,167 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College landed the #25 spot for accounting value this year. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Accounting graduates carry a median of $14,152 in student loans. Accounting graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Set against $14,152 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Accounting Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in accounting:
Narrow Accounting Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 320 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 175 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.
