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
For return on investment in value, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,475. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Farmingdale State College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $38,789 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Onondaga Community College, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Value graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $35,781. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Herkimer County Community College earned it the #4 place for value. Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Herkimer. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Herkimer County Community College earn a median of $31,468 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Maryland University College one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Adelphi, University Of Maryland University College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,136, with out-of-state students paying around $12,336. Value graduates carry a median of $29,200 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Maryland University College earn a median of $74,688 early in their careers. Set against $29,200 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Anne Arundel Community College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Anne Arundel Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Arnold. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, while out-of-state students pay about $11,522. Students borrow a median of $13,947 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Anne Arundel Community College generally make around $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Baltimore ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,681. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from University Of Baltimore generally make around $58,511. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Saint Josephs College New York placed #8 among the best values for value. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $36,550. Value graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Saint Josephs College New York generally make around $49,214. Set against $25,485 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania came in at #9 for value in value this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Hilbert College earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,740 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Value graduates of Hilbert College earn a median of $32,374 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Robert Morris University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Moon Township, Robert Morris University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,770. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $69,872. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Robert Morris University admits about 90% of applicants.
Stevenson University came in at #12 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Stevenson University earn a median of $62,501 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stevenson University admits about 79% of applicants.
University Of Scranton ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Scranton, University Of Scranton is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,777. Value graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Value graduates of University Of Scranton earn a median of $56,861 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. University Of Scranton admits about 81% of applicants.
Duquesne University came in at #14 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $48,986 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Duquesne University earn a median of $53,631 early in their careers. Set against $26,297 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/cyber-computer-forensics-and-counterterrorism/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
