2026 Best Value General Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general education, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Education Schools
Cuny Bronx Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general education schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Carroll Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, with out-of-state students paying around $10,158. Students borrow a median of $17,398 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,398 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $7,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $16,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in general education will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. General Education graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $31,437. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The Community College Of Baltimore County earned it the #5 place for general education. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $16,804. Early-career general education graduates make about $52,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lehigh Carbon Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,280, while out-of-state students pay about $13,270. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,000. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,957. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Butler County Community College placed #7 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. General Education graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.
Montclair State University placed #8 among the best values for general education. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $61,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Holy Family University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,330. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,562. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,924. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
Suny Empire State College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $21,422. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $39,046. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 for value in general education this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. General Education graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $63,838 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Brookdale Community College earned the #12 position for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Brookdale Community College generally make around $19,157. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College landed the #13 spot for general education value this year. Pennsylvania Highlands Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. In-state tuition and fees average $7,110, while out-of-state students pay about $13,350. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,732. General Education graduates of Pennsylvania Highlands Community College earn a median of $40,014 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,732 median debt.
Trinity Washington University earned the #14 position for value in general education this year. Located in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,194. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Trinity Washington University generally make around $56,796. That is a strong return on a $31,194 median debt. Trinity Washington University admits about 100% of applicants.
Howard Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Columbia, Howard Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,599 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,836. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $18,115. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Howard Community College generally make around $56,172. That is a strong return on a $18,115 median debt.
Reading Area Community College placed #16 among the best values for general education. Set in the city of Reading, Reading Area Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,480, compared with $12,510 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $13,979 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Reading Area Community College generally make around $49,248. Set against $13,979 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salem Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,360, with out-of-state students paying around $10,260. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $17,232. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Salem Community College generally make around $51,781. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.
Saint Peters College came in at #18 for value in general education this year. 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. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Mercy College landed the #19 spot for general education value this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of The District Of Columbia placed #20 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Washington, University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,662, compared with $12,514 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,200. Early-career general education graduates make about $57,060. That is a strong return on a $11,200 median debt.
Frostburg State University placed #21 among the best values for general education. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,814. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $25,340. General Education graduates of Frostburg State University earn a median of $56,800 early in their careers. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Frostburg State University admits about 89% of applicants.
Gloucester County College came in at #22 for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Sewell, Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,160, with out-of-state students paying around $6,000. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $10,987. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,274. That is a strong return on a $10,987 median debt.
Towson University landed the #23 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,722. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Salisbury University earned the #24 position for value in general education 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 Education graduates carry a median of $23,545 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $51,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,689 in student loans. General Education graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $33,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for general education this year:
Narrow General Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 139 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/education-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.
