Rankings / By Region
Best Colleges in Mid-Atlantic
- 50
- Schools
- $80,039
- Avg. Earnings
- 78%
- Avg. Graduation
- $23,144
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,162
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $35,348 at the low end to $131,426 at the top. That 3.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $75,971 against $3,033 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is CUNY Hunter College, at $2,984 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Princeton University graduates 97% of its students, well above the 78% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Princeton University: graduates owe only 0.09× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Princeton University ($110,066 earnings), not the highest earner, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($131,426). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY Hunter College ($2,984/yr) and Villanova University ($43,756/yr) produce graduates earning $63,163 and $100,423 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $40,772 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College outperforms Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Princeton University. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $80K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Princeton University #1 overall | $110,066 ▲ +38% vs avg | $6,128 | 97% | 87 |
| 2 Johns Hopkins University #2 overall | $87,555 ▲ +9% vs avg | $18,809 | 94% | 83 |
| 3 Cornell University #3 overall | $104,043 ▲ +30% vs avg | $28,690 | 95% | 82 |
| $111,371 ▲ +39% vs avg | $28,699 | 97% | 81 | |
| $75,971 ▼ -5% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 80 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Colleges in Mid-Atlantic
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $80,039 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 78% and an average net price of $23,144.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Princeton University — 97% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $131,426
Our Analysis Found
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Mid-Atlantic Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in Mid-Atlantic?
$79,504
Median earnings (10yr)
83%
Median graduation rate
$23,715
Median net price
3.4%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across Mid-Atlantic serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $79,504 ten years after they first enrolled, about $31,504 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 83%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $23,715 a year, with about $18,875 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 28% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 3.4%.
For Mid-Atlantic, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $23,715 and graduates earning a median of $79,504, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
Build your ranking
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Princeton University lands at #1 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (95/100) and pulled down by social mobility (83/100). Graduates earn a median $110,066 a decade after enrolling, 38% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,128 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Johns Hopkins University lands at #2 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (82/100). Graduates earn a median $87,555 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Cornell University lands at #3 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $104,043 a decade after enrolling, 30% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
University of Pennsylvania lands at #4 with a 81/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (74/100). Graduates earn a median $111,371 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,699 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #5 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 4% accepted · $21,590 net
Why it ranks #6
Columbia University in the City of New York lands at #6 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $102,491 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,590 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
Carnegie Mellon University lands at #7 with a 79/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $114,862 a decade after enrolling, 44% above this list's average, and net price runs $31,944 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Swarthmore College lands at #8 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (94/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (70/100). Graduates earn a median $80,257 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $23,149 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Haverford College lands at #9 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $79,966 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $25,314 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Colgate University lands at #10 with a 78/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $85,139 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
CUNY Hunter College lands at #11 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
CUNY Queens College lands at #12 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,763 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,195 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 21% accepted · $13,269 net
Why it ranks #13
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art lands at #13 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (75/100). Graduates earn a median $83,847 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,269 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #14
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #14 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 24% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Georgetown University lands at #15 with a 76/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (88/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $103,494 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,815 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
Barnard College lands at #16 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $80,516 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,800 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #17
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #17 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Lafayette College lands at #18 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $91,410 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,433 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Binghamton University lands at #19 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $80,596 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
Hamilton College lands at #20 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $78,411 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,985 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
Fashion Institute of Technology lands at #21 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,696 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,095 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
CUNY Lehman College lands at #22 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
New Jersey Institute of Technology lands at #23 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $84,276 a decade after enrolling, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $16,504 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
SUNY Maritime College lands at #24 with a 74/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $95,951 a decade after enrolling, 20% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,367 a year. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Ramapo College of New Jersey lands at #25 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $67,541 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,173 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
New York University lands at #26 with a 73/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
University of Rochester lands at #27 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $79,042 a decade after enrolling, 1% below this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
CUNY York College lands at #28 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Lehigh University lands at #29 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $105,584 a decade after enrolling, 32% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,931 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
The College of New Jersey lands at #30 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $73,323 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,646 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
George Washington University lands at #31 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (48/100). Graduates earn a median $90,873 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,586 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #32
Stevens Institute of Technology lands at #32 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (31/100). Graduates earn a median $108,772 a decade after enrolling, 36% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,346 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Boricua College lands at #33 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (100/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $35,348 a decade after enrolling, 56% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,245 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #34 with a 72/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $102,051 a decade after enrolling, 28% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,228 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
University of Delaware lands at #35 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $72,950 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,799 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #36
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #36 with a 72/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $131,426 a decade after enrolling, 64% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,882 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
Bryn Mawr College lands at #37 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $75,217 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,759 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Villanova University lands at #38 with a 72/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $100,423 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $43,756 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Franklin and Marshall College lands at #39 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $76,124 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,425 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
Vassar College lands at #40 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $71,366 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $39,343 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
SUNY College at Geneseo lands at #41 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $67,316 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,211 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Skidmore College lands at #42 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $69,363 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,297 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Bucknell University lands at #43 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $93,807 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $40,766 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #44
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #44 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,403 a decade after enrolling, 30% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,156 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Loyola University Maryland lands at #45 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $82,652 a decade after enrolling, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,574 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
New Paltz, NY · 62% accepted · $18,809 net
Why it ranks #46
State University of New York at New Paltz lands at #46 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $58,073 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Raritan Valley Community College lands at #47 with a 70/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (66/100). Graduates earn a median $48,145 a decade after enrolling, 40% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,778 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Saint Peter's University lands at #48 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (62/100). Graduates earn a median $57,815 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $12,199 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Montclair State University lands at #49 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $61,415 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,566 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Drew University lands at #50 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (52/100). Graduates earn a median $63,646 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,280 a year. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
The Mid-Atlantic region is home to some of the most prestigious colleges in the country, attracting students from all walks of life. With 50 institutions in this ranking, prospective students and families can find a range of options that align with their academic and financial goals.
What sets these schools apart is their performance on key outcomes that matter post-graduation. This includes average earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and mobility. For instance, the average earnings for graduates in this region is $81,615, while the average graduation rate sits at 78%. These figures help paint a picture of the potential return on investment for students.
Consider two standout institutions: Princeton University and CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College. Princeton boasts an impressive $110,066 in average earnings and a 97% graduation rate, while Baruch, despite a lower net price of $3,033, has earnings of $75,971 and a graduation rate of 72%. This contrast highlights the trade-offs students must consider when choosing a college.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 50 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3.4%. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Lehman College (10.2%) and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (9.7%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 9.3% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Boricua College leads at 46.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 45.9% across this list. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest success rate at 85.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.78 against a national benchmark of 1.0. University of Pennsylvania reaches 1.88, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
Where These Schools Are Located
When comparing schools, one pattern stands out: Princeton University outperforms CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College significantly in earnings and graduation rates. While Princeton graduates earn an average of $110,066, Baruch's graduates earn $75,971. Moreover, Princeton has a 97% graduation rate compared to Baruch's 72%. This discrepancy illustrates how institutional resources can impact student success.
After scrolling through 50 schools, what should students and families focus on? Weigh the data against personal priorities like location, program fit, campus culture, and financial considerations. This means looking beyond the numbers and visiting campuses to see where students feel they belong. Think about what you value most: Is it lower debt, higher earnings, or perhaps a specific major?
Ultimately, this data underscores the importance of making informed choices. A college degree can open doors to stable employment and financial independence, but it requires careful consideration of the institution's offerings and your personal goals. One family’s decision could shape their future, emphasizing the need to select the right path carefully.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Colleges in Mid-Atlantic: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Colleges in Mid-Atlantic ranking? +
Princeton University in Princeton, NJ ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Colleges in Mid-Atlantic ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $110,066 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 97% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest median earnings on this list: $131,426 ten years after enrollment, well above the $80,039 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads: graduates earn a median $75,971 against net price of about $3,033 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Princeton University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 97%, compared with a 78% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $23,144 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Colleges in Mid-Atlantic ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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