2026 Best Value Psychology Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in psychology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Psychology Schools
For return on investment in psychology, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Students borrow a median of $13,470 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $65,000. That is a strong return on a $13,470 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $10,923. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,706. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value psychology schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Students borrow a median of $13,421 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $42,009. That is a strong return on a $13,421 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for psychology. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,149. Early-career psychology graduates make about $67,044. That is a strong return on a $11,149 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Students looking for strong value in psychology will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $10,250 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $36,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny City College landed the #6 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $30,925. That is a strong return on a $10,000 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #7 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,914 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $60,230. Set against $10,914 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny York College earned the #8 position for value in psychology this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $38,701. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island landed the #9 spot for psychology value this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $16,607 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $28,118. Set against $16,607 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #10 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,246. Psychology graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,246 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #11 among the best values for psychology. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,272 to complete the psychology program here. Early-career psychology graduates make about $24,052. That is a strong return on a $8,272 median debt.
Princeton University landed the #12 spot for psychology value this year. Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Princeton. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,888 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $47,050. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College came in at #13 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,175 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Farmingdale State College earn a median of $28,904 early in their careers. Set against $20,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #14 among the best values for psychology. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $11,700. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $39,868. That is a strong return on a $11,700 median debt. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #15 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,394. Early-career psychology graduates make about $31,000. Set against $18,394 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #16 for value in psychology this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,416 to complete the psychology program here. Psychology graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $18,867 early in their careers. Set against $6,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #17 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $59,316. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Bucks County Community College landed the #18 spot for psychology value this year. Bucks County Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Newtown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $13,926. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $8,782. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Bucks County Community College generally make around $31,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #19 among the best values for psychology. Located in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Set against $10,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Montclair State University came in at #20 for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $49,214. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kean University placed #21 among the best values for psychology. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career psychology graduates make about $54,011. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Butler County Community College came in at #22 for value in psychology this year. Set in the town of Butler, Butler County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,910, compared with $12,000 for out-of-state students. Psychology graduates carry a median of $10,836 in student loans. Psychology graduates of Butler County Community College earn a median of $41,492 early in their careers. Set against $10,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
New Jersey City University placed #23 among the best values for psychology. New Jersey City University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jersey City. Students from in state pay about $14,460 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $22,081. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from New Jersey City University generally make around $58,265. That is a strong return on a $22,081 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Northampton County Area Community College earned the #24 position for value in psychology this year. Located in the suburb of Bethlehem, Northampton County Area Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,550, compared with $15,270 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for psychology graduates is $18,900. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Northampton County Area Community College generally make around $35,960. Set against $18,900 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Hudson Valley Community College came in at #25 for value in psychology this year. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete the psychology program here. Soon after graduation, psychology degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $43,989. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Psychology Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s psychology value ranking:
Narrow Psychology Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 306 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 187 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.
[Psychology](/majors/psychology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong psychology education at a price that pays off.
