2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Value](/majors/health-care-professions/mental-social-health-services/trauma-counseling/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2027 Best Value Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat Suny College At Oswego this year. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $51,339 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,163 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Students borrow a median of $28,263 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Pennsylvania Western University earn a median of $45,448 early in their careers. Set against $28,263 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
A rank of #3 makes State University Of New York At New Paltz one of the best values for value. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Value graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Value graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $50,304 early in their careers. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Hood College came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Hood College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Frederick. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,700. Typical student debt for value graduates is $24,703. Value graduates of Hood College earn a median of $56,107 early in their careers. Set against $24,703 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Elizabethtown College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Elizabethtown, Elizabethtown College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,950. Students borrow a median of $26,599 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Elizabethtown College earn a median of $57,397 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,599 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Lebanon Valley College ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value value schools. Lebanon Valley College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Annville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,080. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,767. Early-career value graduates make about $49,801. That is a strong return on a $26,767 median debt. Lebanon Valley College admits about 84% of applicants.
Arcadia University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Glenside, Arcadia University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $49,610. Value graduates carry a median of $26,921 in student loans. Value graduates of Arcadia University earn a median of $46,764 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arcadia University admits about 80% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.