2026 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
Leading the list is Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, our #1 best value for value in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $61,459. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #2 spot this year. 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. Value graduates carry a median of $26,054 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,142. Set against $26,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College At Buffalo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Value graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Value graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Suny College At Plattsburgh, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,217 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $38,328. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,211. Early-career value graduates make about $61,547. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Eastern University landed the #6 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Saint Davids, Eastern University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $38,400 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,584 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $50,474. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Carnegie Mellon University placed #7 among the best values for value. Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $65,636. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,529. Early-career value graduates make about $89,327. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Carnegie Mellon University admits about 12% of applicants.
Dickinson College came in at #8 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Carlisle, Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,650. Value graduates carry a median of $19,014 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $39,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Siena College landed the #9 spot for value value this year. Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Loudonville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,805. Students borrow a median of $26,656 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $44,535. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University placed #10 among the best values for value. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. Value graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Value 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
[Value](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/data-analytics/general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
