by our College Data Analytics TeamYeshiva University ranks #1 of 274 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 71% six-year graduation rate and $78,424 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in the Middle Atlantic Region, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **274** colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
To help you make your decision, College Factual analyzed 274 colleges across over 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Yeshiva University leads the 274 ranked colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region, followed by University Of Delaware (#2) and Fashion Institute Of Technology (#3). Learn more about these excellent colleges below:
Yeshiva University tops our 2027 ranking of the best colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in New York, NY, Yeshiva University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,800. Early-career graduates earn a median of $52,838. The median student debt is $20,625.
The strong outcomes at University Of Delaware earned it the #2 place in the Middle Atlantic Region. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. About 82% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Median early-career earnings reach $54,155. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete a degree here.
The strong outcomes at Fashion Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in New York, NY, Fashion Institute Of Technology is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $29,250 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,912 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at George Washington University, which ranked #4 this year. George Washington University is a private not-for-profit school based in Washington, DC. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,710. George Washington University graduates report median early-career earnings of $73,749. Typical student debt is $22,910.
Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences came in at #5 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in the Middle Atlantic Region. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences is a private not-for-profit school based in Lancaster, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $32,933 in tuition and fees. Lancaster General College Of Nursing And Health Sciences graduates report median early-career earnings of $47,496. Students borrow a median of $26,402 to complete a degree here.
New York University came in at #6 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $64,516. The median student debt is $21,897.
Widener University Main Campus came in at #7 in this year's ranking. Located in Chester, PA, Widener University Main Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $55,730. Median early-career earnings reach $60,864. Widener University Main Campus students take on a median of $26,561 in debt.
University Of Scranton landed the #8 spot in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. Located in Scranton, PA, University Of Scranton is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,777. University Of Scranton graduates report median early-career earnings of $56,861. Students borrow a median of $26,476 to complete a degree here.
Thomas Jefferson University landed the #9 spot in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. Thomas Jefferson University is a private not-for-profit school based in Philadelphia, PA. Thomas Jefferson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $47,355. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,243 early in their careers. The median student debt is $32,256.
Adelphi University came in at #10 in this year's ranking. Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit school based in Garden City, NY. Adelphi University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Early-career graduates earn a median of $51,037. Typical student debt is $25,487.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Early-career graduates earn a median of $56,926. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus students take on a median of $24,958 in debt.
Williamson College Of The Trades landed the #12 spot in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Media, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $31,611.
Manhattan College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Set in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,400. Median early-career earnings reach $61,065. Students borrow a median of $25,968 to complete a degree here.
Culinary Institute Of America landed the #14 spot in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. Culinary Institute Of America is a private not-for-profit school based in Hyde Park, NY. Culinary Institute Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,670. Graduates go on to earn a median of $35,043 early in their careers. Culinary Institute Of America students take on a median of $22,257 in debt.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #15 spot in the Middle Atlantic Region this year. This public school is set in New Brunswick, NJ. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,929, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Rutgers University New Brunswick graduates report median early-career earnings of $58,402. Students borrow a median of $25,120 to complete a degree here.
Dyouville College placed #16 among the best colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region. This private not-for-profit school is set in Buffalo, NY. Dyouville College graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,940. Dyouville College graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,550. Students borrow a median of $30,232 to complete a degree here.
Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Based in Lancaster, PA, Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,050. Median early-career earnings reach $40,859. Students borrow a median of $9,915 to complete a degree here.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #18 among the best colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, NY. Rochester Institute Of Technology posts a six-year graduation rate of 72%. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $63,515. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete a degree here.
Helene Fuld College Of Nursing came in at #19 in this year's ranking. Based in New York, NY, Helene Fuld College Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $25,852 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $105,822. Graduates carry a median of $27,775 in student loans.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry did well this year, earning the #20 position. Set in Syracuse, NY, Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public institution. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, compared with $22,263 for out-of-state students.
Farmingdale State College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Farmingdale State College is a public school based in Farmingdale, NY. Farmingdale State College graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $19,528 in student loans.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This public school is set in University Park, PA. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 86%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,523. Students borrow a median of $25,266 to complete a degree here.
St Josephs College Of Nursing At St Josephs Hospital Health Center placed #23 among the best colleges in the Middle Atlantic Region. St Josephs College Of Nursing At St Josephs Hospital Health Center is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,816. Median early-career earnings reach $72,048. Typical student debt is $19,279.
Elyon College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Elyon College is a private not-for-profit school based in Brooklyn, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,620.
University Of Maryland University College came in at #25 in this year's ranking. Based in Adelphi, MD, University Of Maryland University College is a public institution. University Of Maryland University College posts a six-year graduation rate of 20%. Students from in state pay about $8,136 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,336 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $65,890. Typical student debt is $23,276.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 274 in the Middle Atlantic Region. Not far behind, these colleges also landed in the top of this year’s ranking:
These 5 colleges rank #51 through #55 of 274 in the Middle Atlantic Region. These schools also stood out this year:
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Wilmington University | New Castle, DE |
| 52 | Pennsylvania State University Penn State New Kensington | New Kensington, PA |
| 53 | Pace University New York | New York, NY |
| 54 | Nassau Community College | Garden City, NY |
| 55 | Suny Westchester Community College | Valhalla, NY |
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Colleges are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.