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2026 Best Best Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

6 Colleges in the United States
1,473 Best Degrees Awarded
$58,382 Avg Early-Career Salary

Best programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 45 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for best students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Best in the Middle Atlantic Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall best education in the Middle Atlantic Region.

Top Schools in Best

1

Leading the list is Columbia University In The City Of New York, our #1 school for best. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 184 best degrees were awarded at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent year. Best graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $86,770 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Columbia University In The City Of New York

2
Bucknell University crest
Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Bucknell University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Lewisburg, Bucknell University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 best degrees were awarded at Bucknell University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $64,331 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,951 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Bucknell University

3
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Syracuse University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. Syracuse University awarded about 34 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Syracuse University earn around $54,785 in the first couple years of their career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Get the full best details for Syracuse University

4
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

New York University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in best, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. New York University awarded about 49 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Get the full best details for New York University

5
Lehigh University crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bethlehem. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Lehigh University awarded about 81 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Typical student debt for the program is $23,008. Read more about the best program at Lehigh University

6

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #6 among the best best schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 51 best degrees were awarded at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn around $56,926 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,958 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

7

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #7 among the best best schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 72%. There were roughly 149 best students who graduated with this degree at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn around $61,459 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

8
Yeshiva University crest
Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University placed #8 among the best best schools. Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 22 best students who graduated with this degree at Yeshiva University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Yeshiva University earn around $52,838 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Yeshiva University

9
Manhattan College crest
Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College placed #9 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Riverdale, Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Manhattan College in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Manhattan College earn around $61,065 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,968 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Manhattan College

10

University Of Delaware landed the #10 spot for best this year. Set in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 best degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $54,155 in their early career. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. See the full best program report for University Of Delaware

11

Fordham University came in at #11 for best this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. Fordham University graduates 82% of students within six years. About 197 best degrees were awarded at Fordham University in the most recent year. Students who receive their best degree from Fordham University earn around $59,403 in the first couple years of their career. Fordham University graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. See the full best program report for Fordham University

12

Pace University New York ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 55 best degrees were awarded at Pace University New York in the most recent year. Best graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,670. More information about a degree in best from Pace University New York

13
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #13 spot for best this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. About 186 best degrees were awarded at Drexel University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $67,556 in their early career. Drexel University graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. Get the full best details for Drexel University

14

State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #14 position for best this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. About 72% of students finish within six years. State University Of New York At New Paltz awarded about 11 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $41,000. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. See the full best program report for State University Of New York At New Paltz

15
La Salle University crest
La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #15 position for best this year. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. La Salle University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 best students who graduated with this degree at La Salle University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at La Salle University

16

University Of Maryland University College earned the #16 position for best this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Adelphi. Roughly 20% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland University College awarded about 57 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $65,890 early in their careers. University Of Maryland University College graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of Maryland University College

17
Wilmington University crest
Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University placed #17 among the best best schools. Located in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Wilmington University awarded about 10 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Wilmington University earn around $57,142 in the first couple years of their career. Wilmington University graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Get the full best details for Wilmington University

18
Saint Peters College crest
Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College placed #18 among the best best schools. Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Jersey City. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. About 206 best degrees were awarded at Saint Peters College in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $50,944 in their early career. Saint Peters College graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Saint Peters College

19
Eastern University crest
Eastern University
Saint Davids, PA

Eastern University came in at #19 for best this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Saint Davids. Eastern University graduates 60% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 best students who graduated with this degree at Eastern University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $50,474 in their early career. Eastern University graduates carry a median of $28,584 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Eastern University

20
Saint Bonaventure University crest
Saint Bonaventure University
Saint Bonaventure, NY

Saint Bonaventure University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Saint Bonaventure. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 11 best degrees were awarded at Saint Bonaventure University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Saint Bonaventure University generally make around $43,190. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Saint Bonaventure University

21

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #21 among the best best schools. Set in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public institution. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates 68% of students within six years. About 10 best degrees were awarded at The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey in the most recent year. Best graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,990. Get the full best details for The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey

22
Seton Hall University crest
Seton Hall University
South Orange, NJ

Seton Hall University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Seton Hall University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of South Orange. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 14 best degrees were awarded at Seton Hall University in the most recent year. Best graduates of Seton Hall University earn a median of $63,871 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,422 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at Seton Hall University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 45 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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