2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[General Education](/majors/education/general-education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 59 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general education schools.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value General Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Education Schools
Leading the list is Middlesex County College, our #1 best value for general education in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $16,846. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hagerstown Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Hagerstown, Hagerstown Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,320, while out-of-state students pay about $8,190. General Education graduates carry a median of $15,126 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Hagerstown Community College generally make around $46,478. Set against $15,126 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Laguardia Community College earned it the #3 place for general education. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Butler County Community College earned it the #4 place for general education. Located in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,910 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,000. Students borrow a median of $10,836 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,836 median debt.
Lehigh Carbon Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Schnecksville, Lehigh Carbon Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $13,270. General Education graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Lehigh Carbon Community College generally make around $39,957. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,224. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Trinity Washington University came in at #7 for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Washington, Trinity Washington University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,610. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $31,194. General Education graduates of Trinity Washington University earn a median of $56,796 early in their careers. Set against $31,194 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of The District Of Columbia ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. University Of The District Of Columbia is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Washington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,662, with out-of-state students paying around $12,514. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $11,200. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of The District Of Columbia generally make around $57,060. That is a strong return on a $11,200 median debt.
Harford Community College landed the #9 spot for general education value this year. Located in the rural area of Bel Air, Harford Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,032, with out-of-state students paying around $8,832. Students borrow a median of $12,624 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Harford Community College generally make around $50,636. That is a strong return on a $12,624 median debt.
Montclair State University placed #10 among the best values for general education. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,286 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $61,225. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Suny Empire State College landed the #11 spot for general education value this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,422 in student loans. General Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $39,046 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,422 median debt.
Holy Family University placed #12 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Holy Family University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $35,330. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,562 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,924. That is a strong return on a $26,562 median debt. Holy Family University admits about 71% of applicants.
The Community College Of Baltimore County placed #13 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, The Community College Of Baltimore County is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,182 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $16,804 in student loans. General Education graduates of The Community College Of Baltimore County earn a median of $52,440 early in their careers. Set against $16,804 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brookdale Community College placed #14 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Lincroft, Brookdale Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,270, while out-of-state students pay about $10,140. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $19,157. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mercy College placed #15 among the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $61,432 early in their careers. Set against $28,304 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.
Saint Peters College landed the #16 spot for general education value this year. Located in the city of Jersey City, Saint Peters College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $42,552. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,969 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $58,382. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Saint Peters College admits about 90% of applicants.
Niagara University placed #17 among the best values for general education. Located in the suburb of Niagara University, Niagara University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. General Education graduates carry a median of $26,208 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $51,918. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #18 spot for general education value this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $55,239. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Salem Community College came in at #19 for value in general education this year. Located in the suburb of Carneys Point, Salem Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,360 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,260 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,232 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Salem Community College earn a median of $51,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,232 median debt.
Towson University landed the #20 spot for general education value this year. Set in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,728, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $55,722. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Passaic County Community College earned the #21 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of Paterson, Passaic County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,300, compared with $10,560 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $9,581. General Education graduates of Passaic County Community College earn a median of $28,957 early in their careers. Set against $9,581 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Johns Hopkins University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $63,838. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Wilmington University earned the #23 position for value in general education this year. Set in the suburb of New Castle, Wilmington University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,630. Students borrow a median of $26,689 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Wilmington University generally make around $33,890. That is a strong return on a $26,689 median debt.
Gloucester County College ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Gloucester County College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Sewell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,160, compared with $6,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,987 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $38,274. That is a strong return on a $10,987 median debt.
Frostburg State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the town of Frostburg, Frostburg State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,220, while out-of-state students pay about $25,814. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,340 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Frostburg State University generally make around $56,800. Set against $25,340 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Education Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general education value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on 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 Major Best Value · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 59 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.
