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
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,475. Early-career value graduates make about $57,403. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Farmingdale State College, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $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%.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. University Of Maryland University College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Adelphi. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,336. Typical student debt for value graduates is $29,200. Early-career value graduates make about $74,688. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,721. Value graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Herkimer County Community College, which ranked #5. 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. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Herkimer County Community College generally make around $31,468. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Anne Arundel Community College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Arnold, Anne Arundel Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,322, with out-of-state students paying around $11,522. Typical student debt for value graduates is $13,947. Early-career value graduates make about $59,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Towson University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $21,241 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Towson University earn a median of $52,989 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Baltimore landed the #8 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, University Of Baltimore is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $23,984. Students borrow a median of $29,681 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of University Of Baltimore earn a median of $58,511 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Baltimore admits about 79% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,691. Value graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
La Salle University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. La Salle University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $37,800. Students borrow a median of $25,462 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from La Salle University generally make around $54,618. That is a strong return on a $25,462 median debt. La Salle University admits about 97% of applicants.
Rowan University landed the #11 spot for value value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Students borrow a median of $24,488 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $52,031. Set against $24,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Gannon University came in at #12 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Erie, Gannon University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $40,656. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,934. Early-career value graduates make about $73,658. Set against $26,934 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Gannon University admits about 74% of applicants.
Hilbert College came in at #13 for value in value this year. Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hamburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $33,740. Value graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hilbert College generally make around $32,374. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #14 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $42,432 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,211 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Long Island University C W Post Campus earn a median of $61,547 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. Long Island University C W Post Campus admits about 86% of applicants.
Point Park University landed the #15 spot for value value this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, Point Park University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,570. Students borrow a median of $28,323 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $40,759. That is a strong return on a $28,323 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Stevenson University came in at #16 for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Owings Mills, Stevenson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $40,560. Students borrow a median of $27,042 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Stevenson University generally make around $62,501. Set against $27,042 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Mercyhurst College placed #17 among the best values for value. Mercyhurst College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Erie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,770. Students borrow a median of $25,705 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $46,009. That is a strong return on a $25,705 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Loyola University Baltimore came in at #18 for value in value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Loyola University Baltimore is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,150. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Value graduates of Loyola University Baltimore earn a median of $54,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Pace University New York came in at #20 for value in value this year. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,510. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,670. Value graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $58,863 early in their careers. Set against $25,670 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Duquesne University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Duquesne University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,986. Students borrow a median of $26,297 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Duquesne University generally make around $53,631. That is a strong return on a $26,297 median debt. Duquesne University admits about 84% of applicants.
Hofstra University earned the #22 position for value in value this year. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Value graduates carry a median of $24,848 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hofstra University generally make around $38,773. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
George Washington University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,710. Students borrow a median of $22,910 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $53,979. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.
Syracuse University came in at #24 for value in value this year. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Early-career value graduates make about $41,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
Narrow Value Schools by State
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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/forensic-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
