2026 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Value](/majors/business-management-marketing-sales/business-administration-and-management/science-technology-management/) 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 14 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
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Farmingdale State College, our #1 best value for value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $17,250 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $39,290. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Value graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $95,501 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Utica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,625, compared with $21,215 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Value graduates of Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome earn a median of $41,684 early in their careers. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Value graduates carry a median of $24,250 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Set against $24,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Suny College Of Technology At Alfred one of the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical student debt for value graduates is $18,250. Early-career value graduates make about $44,389. That is a strong return on a $18,250 median debt. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,006 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $56,257. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Stony Brook University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,931 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $56,763. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Morrisville State College came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the rural area of Morrisville, Morrisville State College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $19,245. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,171. Value graduates of Morrisville State College earn a median of $36,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,171 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Pennsylvania Western University placed #10 among the best values for value. Pennsylvania Western University is a large public school located in the town of California. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, compared with $16,054 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo earned the #11 position for value in value this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $52,403. That is a strong return on a $21,500 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Saint Josephs University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Saint Josephs University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,260. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Josephs University generally make around $65,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Josephs University admits about 89% of applicants.
Drexel University came in at #13 for value in value this year. Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $78,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
