2026 Best Value Education Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the education degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Education Schools
For return on investment in education, no school beat Frederick Community College this year. Set in the city of Frederick, Frederick Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,849, while out-of-state students pay about $10,042. Students borrow a median of $10,778 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Frederick Community College earn a median of $43,733 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,778 median debt.
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, compared with $15,414 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $65,726 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for education. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,821. Early-career education graduates make about $66,476. That is a strong return on a $11,821 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for education. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,901. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $63,484. That is a strong return on a $12,901 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #5 place for education. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,538 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $66,039. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,916. Education graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $73,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College placed #7 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $86,381 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $31,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Camden County College earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Blackwood, Camden County College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,320, compared with $4,416 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $21,956. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Essex County College came in at #11 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Newark, Essex County College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,415 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,523 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $12,472 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Essex County College generally make around $23,768. That is a strong return on a $12,472 median debt.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #12 for value in education this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Education graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $49,750. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $11,854 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $59,041. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Carroll Community College earned the #14 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Westminster, Carroll Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $4,308 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,158 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $17,398 in student loans. Education graduates of Carroll Community College earn a median of $49,058 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Raritan Valley Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Raritan Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Branchburg. Students from in state pay about $5,664 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,584. Education graduates carry a median of $11,400 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $47,248. That is a strong return on a $11,400 median debt.
Cuny York College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Education graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,573 median debt. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #17 spot for education value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Early-career education graduates make about $24,283. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #18 spot for education value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $23,672. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #19 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Education graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Delaware Technical Community College Terry landed the #20 spot for education value this year. Delaware Technical Community College Terry is a large public school located in the city of Dover. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,332, while out-of-state students pay about $5,763. Students borrow a median of $8,450 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Delaware Technical Community College Terry generally make around $25,289. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suffolk County Community College placed #21 among the best values for education. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,246 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $35,667. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College came in at #22 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,394, while out-of-state students pay about $14,250. Education graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Montgomery College generally make around $24,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, compared with $8,132 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $21,589 early in their careers. Set against $8,380 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College landed the #24 spot for education value this year. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, while out-of-state students pay about $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $16,846 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,000 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #25 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,858. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $31,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Education Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in education:
Narrow Education Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 353 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 116 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.
[Education](/majors/education/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
