2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Higher Education/Higher Education Administration](/majors/education/educational-administration/higher-education-higher-education-administration/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong higher education/higher education administration education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the higher education/higher education administration degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
For return on investment in higher education/higher education administration, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $65,726. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 48%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #2 place for higher education/higher education administration. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $78,952 early in their careers. Set against $25,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Saint Peters College earned it the #3 place for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,552. Students borrow a median of $22,969 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $76,437. That is a strong return on a $22,969 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. 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. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,054. Higher Education/higher Education 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.
Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Located in the suburb of Teaneck, Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $37,010 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,770 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus generally make around $54,505. Set against $24,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
William Paterson University Of New Jersey ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. William Paterson University Of New Jersey is a large public school located in the suburb of Wayne. In-state tuition and fees average $15,704, with out-of-state students paying around $25,344. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,644 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education 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. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #7 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $25,163. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $41,899. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
Stony Brook University earned the #8 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $82,170. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Salisbury University earned the #9 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo placed #10 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $55,322. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Suny College At Brockport placed #11 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, with out-of-state students paying around $15,822. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $24,757. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Suny College At Brockport earn a median of $39,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.
Johns Hopkins University placed #12 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #13 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Plattsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $24,217 in student loans. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Suny College At Plattsburgh generally make around $38,328. That is a strong return on a $24,217 median debt. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #14 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Morgan State University placed #15 among the best values for higher education/higher education administration. Located in the city of Baltimore, Morgan State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,229, compared with $19,124 for out-of-state students. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $30,309 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Morgan State University earn a median of $77,064 early in their careers. Set against $30,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Suny At Albany earned the #16 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $51,925 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #17 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University At Buffalo earned the #18 position for value in higher education/higher education administration 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, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $22,232. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $44,571. That is a strong return on a $22,232 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Canisius College earned the #19 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $34,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,673 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Canisius College generally make around $47,986. That is a strong return on a $24,673 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Le Moyne College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. Le Moyne College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,330. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $19,141. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Le Moyne College earn a median of $57,229 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,141 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #21 position for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $20,691. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,070 early in their careers. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value higher education/higher education administration schools. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #23 spot for higher education/higher education administration value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete the higher education/higher education administration program here. Soon after graduation, higher education/higher education administration degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $58,402. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland came in at #24 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $43,360. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Higher Education/higher Education Administration graduates of College Of Notre Dame Of Maryland earn a median of $72,647 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Rider University came in at #25 for value in higher education/higher education administration this year. Set in the suburb of Lawrenceville, Rider University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $41,120. Typical student debt for higher education/higher education administration graduates is $26,241. Early-career higher education/higher education administration graduates make about $48,601. Set against $26,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 79%.
Rest of the Top 43 Best Value Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in higher education/higher education administration:
Narrow Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Schools by State
More Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings
View All Higher Education/Higher Education Administration Rankings >
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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
