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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region

57 Ranked Colleges
5,373 Degrees Awarded
$16,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor's in the Middle Atlantic Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2019-2020, 365,980 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across the Middle Atlantic region, there were 24,900 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 5,373 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,278 and $24,587 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking, we looked at 57 colleges that offer a degree in liberal arts. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent liberal arts programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Liberal Arts in the Middle Atlantic Region

#1

Thomas Edison State University

Trenton, New Jersey
#8 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Thomas Edison State University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region. TESU is a public institution located in Trenton, New Jersey. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 357 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students list, TESU has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking.

Full Thomas Edison State University Liberal Arts Report

#2

Excelsior University

Albany, New York
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Excelsior University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. This large school is located in Albany, New York, and it awarded 1,442 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Excelsior University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Excelsior University

#3

Maria College of Albany

Albany, New York
#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Maria College of Albany. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region. Maria College of Albany is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Albany, New York. It awarded 4 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students list, Maria College of Albany has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Maria College of Albany is $12,995 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Maria College of Albany Liberal Arts Report

#4

Wilmington University

New Castle, Delaware

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Wilmington University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region. This fairly large school is located in New Castle, Delaware, and it awarded 66 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $14,683 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students per year to attend Wilmington University.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Wilmington University

#5

The Graduate Center, CUNY

New York, New York
#23 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The Graduate Center, CUNY. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. New York, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s liberal studies degrees to 54 students in 2019-2020.

The Graduate Center also took the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Liberal Arts at The Graduate Center

#6

Stockton University

Galloway, New Jersey
#11 in overall quality

Stockton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #6. This medium-sized school is located in Galloway, New Jersey, and it awarded 111 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

Stockton State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Stockton State is $19,678 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Stockton University

#7

California University of Pennsylvania

California, Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. California University of Pennsylvania is a medium-sized public school situated in California, Pennsylvania. It awarded 55 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Cal U is $18,154 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at California University of Pennsylvania

#8

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #8. New York, New York is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s liberal studies degrees to 104 students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for The City College of New York is $2,385 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students.

Full CCNY Liberal Arts Report

#9

Rowan University

Glassboro, New Jersey
#14 in overall quality

Rowan University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Located in Glassboro, New Jersey, this fairly large public school awarded 136 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

Rowan also took the #14 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. It costs about $25,454 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students per year to attend Rowan University.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Rowan

#10

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #10, Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Clarion University is located in Clarion, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 146 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Clarion University is $20,011 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Clarion University of Pennsylvania

#11

Salisbury University

Salisbury, Maryland

Salisbury University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #11. Salisbury University is located in Salisbury, Maryland and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 66 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Salisbury University is $19,617 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Salisbury University Liberal Arts Report

#12

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

West Chester, Pennsylvania
#20 in overall quality

West Chester University of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. WCUPA is a fairly large school located in West Chester, Pennsylvania that handed out 161 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

WCUPA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” list. The yearly cost to attend West Chester University of Pennsylvania is $22,495 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at West Chester University of Pennsylvania

#13

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro, Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #13. Edinboro University of Pennsylvania is a public institution located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania. The school has a small population, and it awarded 47 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Edinboro is $16,833 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

#14

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Mansfield, Pennsylvania

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. Mansfield University of Pennsylvania is a small school located in Mansfield, Pennsylvania that handed out 24 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Mansfield University is $19,065 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

Full Mansfield University Liberal Arts Report

#15

SUNY New Paltz

New Paltz, New York

With a ranking of #15, SUNY New Paltz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. SUNY New Paltz is a public institution located in New Paltz, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend SUNY New Paltz is $17,171 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 3.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SUNY New Paltz

#16

Purchase College

Purchase, New York

Purchase College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This small school is located in Purchase, New York, and it awarded 103 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,326 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students per year to attend Purchase College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Purchase College

#17

Frostburg State University

Frostburg, Maryland

With a ranking of #17, Frostburg State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Frostburg State University is a public institution located in Frostburg, Maryland. The school has a small population, and it awarded 52 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Frostburg State is $16,676 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

Full Frostburg State University Liberal Arts Report

#18

Baruch College

New York, New York

Baruch College ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified bachelors’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Baruch College is $3,562 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low student loan default rate of 3.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Baruch

With a ranking of #19, William Paterson University of New Jersey did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. William Paterson University of New Jersey is a public institution located in Wayne, New Jersey. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 78 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $19,547 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students per year to attend William Paterson University.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at William Paterson University of New Jersey

#20

St. Joseph's College - New York

Brooklyn, New York

St. Joseph’s College - New York ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. St. Joseph’s College - New York is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Brooklyn, New York. It awarded 41 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $16,360 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students per year to attend SJC.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SJC

#21

Coppin State University

Baltimore, Maryland

Coppin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, coming in at #21. Coppin is a small school located in Baltimore, Maryland that handed out 15 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Coppin State University is $11,686 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Coppin State University

#22

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #22, Lock Haven University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, this small public school handed out 17 degrees to qualified bachelors’s liberal studies students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $20,506 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students per year to attend LHU.

Full Lock Haven University Liberal Arts Report

#23

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford

Bradford, Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh - Bradford landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This small school is located in Bradford, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $18,906 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students per year to attend University of Pittsburgh - Bradford.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Pitt Bradford Liberal Arts Report

#24

St. Francis College

Brooklyn Heights, New York
#16 in overall quality

St. Francis College landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking. This small school is located in Brooklyn Heights, New York, and it awarded 31 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SFC is $18,236 for middle atlantic region bachelor’s degree liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at St. Francis College

#25

Manor College

Jenkintown, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #25, Manor College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Middle Atlantic Region list. Manor College is located in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Manor College is $16,658 for Middle Atlantic Region Bachelor’s Degree Liberal Studies students.

Full Manor College Liberal Arts Report

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Notes and References

References

  • 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).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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