2026 Best Best Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

1

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA

Our analysis ranked Carnegie Mellon University the best school in the country for a degree in best. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 104 best students who graduated with this degree at Carnegie Mellon University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Carnegie Mellon University generally make around $89,327. Carnegie Mellon University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. See the full best program report for Carnegie Mellon University

2

University Of Maryland College Park
College Park, MD

A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the top schools for best. Set in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 46 best students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $57,901 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836. Read more about the best program at University Of Maryland College Park

3

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

Columbia University In The City Of New York is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #3. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 184 best students who graduated with this degree at Columbia University In The City Of New York in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $86,770 in their early career. Columbia University In The City Of New York graduates carry a median of $23,258 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Columbia University In The City Of New York

4

University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in best, ranking #4. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. About 96% of students finish within six years. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 594 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,155 to complete this degree. Read more about the best program at University Of Pennsylvania

5

Bucknell University
Lewisburg, PA

Students looking for a strong best program will find one at Bucknell University, which ranked #5. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Lewisburg. About 86% of students finish within six years. Bucknell University awarded about 25 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Bucknell University earn around $64,331 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,951. More information about a degree in best from Bucknell University

6

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University came in at #6 for best this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Syracuse. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 82 best degrees were awarded at Syracuse University in the most recent year. Best graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete this degree. See the full best program report for Syracuse University

7

New York University
New York, NY

New York University came in at #7 for best this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. There were roughly 49 best students who graduated with this degree at New York University in the most recent data year. Best graduates of New York University earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. New York University graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Get the full best details for New York University

8

Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA

Lehigh University came in at #8 for best this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 85 best degrees were awarded at Lehigh University in the most recent year. Graduates of the best program make about $70,321 in their early career. Lehigh University graduates carry a median of $23,008 in student loans. See the full best program report for Lehigh University

9

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Pittsburgh, PA

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #9 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus awarded about 51 best degrees in the most recent data 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. More information about a degree in best from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus

10

New Jersey Institute Of Technology
Newark, NJ

New Jersey Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best best schools. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. There were roughly 20 best students who graduated with this degree at New Jersey Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $71,549 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,755. Read more about the best program at New Jersey Institute Of Technology

11

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College landed the #11 spot for best this year. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. About 72% of students finish within six years. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College awarded about 149 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $61,459. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College

12

Yeshiva University
New York, NY

Yeshiva University came in at #12 for best this year. Located in the city of New York, Yeshiva University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 22 best degrees were awarded at Yeshiva University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Yeshiva University generally make around $52,838. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from Yeshiva University

13

Manhattan College
Riverdale, NY

Manhattan College came in at #13 for best this year. Manhattan College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Riverdale. About 64% of students finish within six years. 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. More information about a degree in best from Manhattan College

14

Dickinson College
Carlisle, PA

Dickinson College placed #14 among the best best schools. Dickinson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Carlisle. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dickinson College awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Dickinson College generally make around $39,937. Dickinson College graduates carry a median of $19,014 in student loans. See the full best program report for Dickinson College

15

University Of Delaware
Newark, DE

University Of Delaware came in at #15 for best this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Newark. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. About 76 best degrees were awarded at University Of Delaware in the most recent year. Best graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. University Of Delaware graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Get the full best details for University Of Delaware

16

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

Fordham University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Fordham University awarded about 197 best degrees in the most recent data 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. Get the full best details for Fordham University

17

Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College came in at #17 for best this year. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 best students who graduated with this degree at Siena College in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Siena College earn a median of $44,535 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,656. Get the full best details for Siena College

18

Rochester Institute Of Technology
Rochester, NY

Rochester Institute Of Technology landed the #18 spot for best this year. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Rochester. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 best students who graduated with this degree at Rochester Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the best program make about $63,515 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,491. Read more about the best program at Rochester Institute Of Technology

19

Pace University New York
New York, NY

Pace University New York placed #19 among 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. Read more about the best program at Pace University New York

20

Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA

Drexel University landed the #20 spot for best this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 78%. Drexel University awarded about 208 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from Drexel University earn around $67,556 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,838. Read more about the best program at Drexel University

21

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #21 for best this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of New Paltz. State University Of New York At New Paltz graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 best students who graduated with this degree at State University Of New York At New Paltz 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

22

La Salle University
Philadelphia, PA

La Salle University earned the #22 position for best this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. La Salle University awarded about 27 best degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their best degree from La Salle University earn around $54,618 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in best from La Salle University

23

University Of Maryland University College
Adelphi, MD

University Of Maryland University College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best best schools. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. 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. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from University Of Maryland University College generally make around $65,890. University Of Maryland University College graduates carry a median of $23,276 in student loans. More information about a degree in best from University Of Maryland University College

24

Wilmington University
New Castle, DE

Wilmington University placed #24 among the best best schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of New Castle. The six-year graduation rate is 22%. Wilmington University awarded about 12 best degrees in the most recent data year. Best graduates of Wilmington University earn a median of $57,142 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,054. Get the full best details for Wilmington University

25

Saint Peters College
Jersey City, NJ

Saint Peters College earned the #25 position for best this year. 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%. There were roughly 206 best students who graduated with this degree at Saint Peters College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, best degree recipients from Saint Peters College generally make around $50,944. Typical student debt for the program is $22,969. Get the full best details for Saint Peters College