2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Educational Leadership & Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/educational-leadership-and-administration-general/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 137 schools to find the best return on investment for general educational leadership & administration students.
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2026 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general educational leadership & administration, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in general educational leadership & administration in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $61,459. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $108,990. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #3 place for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $51,372. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Lehman College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,360. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $95,050. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Cuny City College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $13,389 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $117,614 early in their careers. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $12,157. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $41,847. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Montclair State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $78,952. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Kean University placed #8 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Students borrow a median of $26,703 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $79,188. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Holy Family University came in at #9 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,330 in tuition and fees. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Holy Family University earn a median of $80,014 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
New Jersey City University placed #10 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,460. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $22,107. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $47,083. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #11 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. 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, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $76,893. That is a strong return on a $20,836 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Peters College landed the #12 spot for general educational leadership & administration value this year. Set in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Saint Peters College earn a median of $76,437 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #13 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Towson University earned the #14 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Frostburg State University earned the #15 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, compared with $25,814 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $25,340. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $42,798. That is a strong return on a $25,340 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Delaware ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $75,743. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University earned the #17 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,054 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $99,801 early in their careers. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College earned the #18 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $28,304. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earned the #19 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Teaneck. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus earn a median of $54,505 early in their careers. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value general educational leadership & administration schools. 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, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $82,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey came in at #21 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. Students from in state pay about $15,704 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $25,644. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from William Paterson University Of New Jersey generally make around $61,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Suny College At Potsdam placed #22 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $26,540 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $32,485. Set against $26,540 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for general educational leadership & administration. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general educational leadership & administration graduates is $26,513. Early-career general educational leadership & administration graduates make about $42,972. Set against $26,513 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Suny College At Oswego earned the #24 position for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Oswego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the general educational leadership & administration program here. Soon after graduation, general educational leadership & administration degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Salisbury University came in at #25 for value in general educational leadership & administration this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. General Educational Leadership & Administration graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Educational Leadership & Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general educational leadership & administration:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 137 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
