2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Curriculum & Instruction](/majors/education/curriculum-instruction/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong curriculum & instruction education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 64 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for curriculum & instruction students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the curriculum & instruction degrees they offer, see the list below.
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. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $62,213 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Towson University one of the best values for curriculum & instruction. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. 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. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $42,964 early in their careers. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Potsdam earned it the #5 place for curriculum & instruction. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. 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. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Suny At Albany came in at #6 for value in curriculum & instruction 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. Students borrow a median of $23,521 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $64,591 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #7 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $25,163 in student loans. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $25,163 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #9 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $22,232. 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. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Mcdaniel College landed the #11 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Mcdaniel College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $52,081. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $23,247 in student loans. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Mcdaniel College earn a median of $67,653 early in their careers. Set against $23,247 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Carlow University earned the #12 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Carlow University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,874. Students borrow a median of $30,222 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $66,938. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carlow University admits about 87% of applicants.
Kings College placed #13 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Kings College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $44,100. Students borrow a median of $26,980 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Kings College generally make around $45,414. Set against $26,980 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kings College admits about 93% of applicants.
Gannon University placed #14 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $40,656 in tuition and fees. 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. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Vincent College came in at #15 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Saint Vincent College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Latrobe. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,396. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,986. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Saint Vincent College earn a median of $49,291 early in their careers. Set against $26,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Set in the town of Shippensburg, Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,570, with out-of-state students paying around $15,824. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,307. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $58,124. That is a strong return on a $26,307 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Robert Morris University landed the #17 spot for curriculum & instruction value this year. Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Moon Township. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,748. Curriculum & Instruction graduates of Robert Morris University earn a median of $67,924 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern University placed #18 among the best values for curriculum & instruction. Located in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $38,400. 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. Set against $28,584 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
St Johns University New York ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Students borrow a median of $25,521 to complete the curriculum & instruction program here. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $142,452. Set against $25,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Wilkes University earned the #20 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Wilkes-Barre, Wilkes University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,496. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $26,601 in student loans. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $64,004. Set against $26,601 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Loyola University Baltimore came in at #21 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $57,150. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $27,000. Early-career curriculum & instruction graduates make about $68,753. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary earned the #22 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $53,500 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $26,857. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from Moravian College And Moravian Theological Seminary generally make around $48,472. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #23 for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Curriculum & Instruction graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #24 position for value in curriculum & instruction this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for curriculum & instruction graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, curriculum & instruction degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value curriculum & instruction schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Curriculum & Instruction Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in curriculum & instruction:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 64 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
