Looking for the best colleges for the money in the Middle Atlantic Region? We have ranked 392 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. This is our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — use Customize Your Rankings below to narrow the list.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 392 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
After analyzing 392 schools in the Middle Atlantic Region to determine which deliver the best value. We steer clear of subjective measures and weigh objective factors instead.
Our Methodology
To determine a school’s value, we first add up average tuition, fees, and room and board — the published sticker price before any financial aid (the No Aid view). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We weigh cost against outcomes such as graduation rates, educational resources, and what graduates earn.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Narrow your list by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best college for the money in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College alumni report median earnings of $75,971 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College has an acceptance rate of 48%.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. The median program debt is $11,091. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 54% of those who apply are admitted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williamson College Of The Trades earned it the #3 place in the Middle Atlantic Region. Based in Media, PA, Williamson College Of The Trades is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,611. Williamson College Of The Trades has an acceptance rate of 22%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in New York, NY, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $56,195 ten years out. Set against $12,678 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 57% of those who apply are admitted.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Brooklyn College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Queens College offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Cuny Queens College alumni report median earnings of $62,763 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny City College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Cuny City College is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical student debt is $13,389. Median earnings reach $66,039 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Lehman College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Bronx, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. The median program debt is $13,213. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,013 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Suffolk County Community College landed the #9 spot for value in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. Set in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. The median program debt is $11,246. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,907 ten years after entry. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Frederick Community College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Frederick Community College is a public school based in Frederick, MD. In-state tuition and fees average $3,849, with out-of-state students paying around $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete their program here. Median earnings reach $46,449 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
United States Merchant Marine Academy offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Based in Kings Point, NY, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $895. United States Merchant Marine Academy alumni report median earnings of $90,610 a decade after entry. United States Merchant Marine Academy has an acceptance rate of 34%.
Nassau Community College landed the #12 spot for value in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. This public school is set in Garden City, NY. Students from in state pay about $6,330 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,130. Nassau Community College students take on a median of $11,850 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,248. Set against $11,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. The median program debt is $11,492. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,365. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology has an acceptance rate of 80%.
Middlesex County College landed the #14 spot for value in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. This public school is set in Edison, NJ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,764, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Middlesex County College students take on a median of $9,514 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $46,861 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny College Of Staten Island offered strong value this year, earning the #15 position. Based in Staten Island, NY, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $14,688. Median earnings reach $53,501 ten years out. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island has an acceptance rate of 92%.
Cuny York College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Cuny York College is a public school based in Jamaica, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,358, while out-of-state students pay about $15,308. Graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,945. Set against $12,573 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 64% of those who apply are admitted.
Camden County College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Based in Blackwood, NJ, Camden County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,999 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,212. That is a strong return on a $12,999 median debt.
Carroll Community College placed #18 among the best values in the Middle Atlantic Region. Based in Westminster, MD, Carroll Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,308, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Carroll Community College students take on a median of $17,398 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,349. Set against $17,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #19 among the best values in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a public school based in Bayside, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,214. That is a strong return on a $10,052 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #20 position. This public school is set in New York, NY. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $8,794. Median earnings reach $42,306 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #21 among the best values in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a public school based in Brooklyn, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Graduates carry a median of $7,858 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,621 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $7,858 median debt.
Raritan Valley Community College placed #22 among the best values in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in Branchburg, NJ, Raritan Valley Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Typical student debt is $9,668. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,145. That is a strong return on a $9,668 median debt.
Princeton University came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Princeton, NJ. In-state tuition and fees run about $62,688. Princeton University students take on a median of $10,888 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $110,066 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. About 5% of those who apply are admitted.
Cuny Laguardia Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #24 position. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public school based in Long Island City, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,653 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Mercer County Community College placed #25 among the best values in the Middle Atlantic Region. Based in West Windsor, NJ, Mercer County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,310, while out-of-state students pay about $9,174. The median program debt is $12,250. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $43,264. Set against $12,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 392 ranked schools only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: Region · 392 schools evaluated.References
