2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/curriculum-and-instruction/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in curriculum & instruction, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Leading the list is Suny Empire State College, our #1 best value for curriculum & instruction in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $23,693. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $53,832 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Maryland College Park earned it the #2 place for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $62,213. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Towson University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $21,241. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in curriculum & instruction will find it at Suny College At Buffalo, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $42,964. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Potsdam is a great value for students pursuing a degree in curriculum & instruction, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, while out-of-state students pay about $18,678. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,540 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $32,485. That is a strong return on a $26,540 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #6 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $25,163. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $41,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Suny At Albany ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $64,591. Set against $23,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #8 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $27,128. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $44,922. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Suny At Fredonia earned the #9 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Fredonia, Suny At Fredonia is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,771. Students borrow a median of $25,806 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Suny At Fredonia generally make around $49,807. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #10 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,356. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $60,365. Set against $26,062 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University At Buffalo came in at #11 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $22,232 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Hood College landed the #12 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,700. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,703 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Hood College generally make around $66,094. That is a strong return on a $24,703 median debt. Hood College admits about 78% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned the #13 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,867 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $39,028. That is a strong return on a $26,867 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Mcdaniel College came in at #14 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,081. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,247 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Mcdaniel College generally make around $67,653. That is a strong return on a $23,247 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Carlow University landed the #15 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,874. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $30,222. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Carlow University generally make around $66,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Kings College landed the #16 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $44,100 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,980. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Kings College earn a median of $45,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Gannon University landed the #17 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Set in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,934. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $53,000. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Elizabethtown College placed #18 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Elizabethtown. Students from in state pay about $37,950 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,599. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Elizabethtown College generally make around $57,397. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University came in at #19 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Eastern University earn a median of $50,474 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,584 median debt. Eastern University admits about 91% of applicants.
Wilkes University earned the #20 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $43,496 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,601. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Wilkes University generally make around $64,004. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Pennsylvania ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,155. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Neumann University placed #22 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Neumann University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Aston. In-state tuition and fees average $39,100. Students borrow a median of $28,450 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Neumann University earn a median of $56,542 early in their careers. Set against $28,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Neumann University admits about 81% of applicants.
St Johns University New York came in at #23 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,521 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $142,452 early in their careers. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #24 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. 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. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
Loyola University Baltimore placed #25 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $57,150. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $27,000. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Loyola University Baltimore earn a median of $68,753 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
