2027 College Rankings

Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation

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Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation

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College Raptor’s Hidden Gem rankings highlight under-the-radar colleges that may not be household names, but they're bringing serious academic heat. Hidden Gems are based on College Raptor’s overall national rankings and must meet the following criteria:

Receive fewer than 10,000 applications per year.
Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students.
Offer 5 or more unique majors
Have a 20% acceptance rate or higher.
Rank within the top half of College Raptor’s overall rankings.

For more information on methodology behind our college rankings, check out our ranking methodology breakdown.

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Rank	Institution	Acceptance Rate	SAT Score	Your Est. Net Price Avg. Net Price	Median Starting Salary	Save
1	Messiah University	81.07	1,160 – 1,380	29408	50192	#1 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Messiah University Mechanicsburg, PA Messiah University has a 12 to 1 student-to-faculty ratio and 88% first year retention rate. Originally known as the Messiah Bible School and Missionary Training House in 1909, the school became a college in 1951 and a university in 2020. Incoming students have to sign a Community Covenant. Acceptance Rate 81.1% SAT Score 1,160 – 1,380 Avg. Net Price $29,408 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,192
2	Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus	96.31	1,040 – 1,320	25585	45916	#2 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus Madison, NJ The Florham campus Fairleigh Dickinson opened in 1958, with other campuses located in New Jersey, Canada, and the United Kingdom. With an 78% first year retention rate, many students major in Business Administration and Management, General, Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Psychology, and General. Acceptance Rate 96.3% SAT Score 1,040 – 1,320 Avg. Net Price $25,585 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $45,916
3	Lebanon Valley College	80.8	1,190 – 1,330	27995	54021	#3 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Lebanon Valley College Annville, PA 100% of students attending Lebanon Valley College receive institutional grants averaging $34,994, and 84% will stay on after they complete their first year. Many opt to study Business Administration and Management, General, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, and Physical Therapy/Therapist....Read more Acceptance Rate 80.8% SAT Score 1,190 – 1,330 Avg. Net Price $27,995 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,021
4	DeSales University	77.09	1,100 – 1,270	31732	52721	#4 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation DeSales University Center Valley, PA A Catholic liberal arts school, DeSales University offers 60 degree programs—Business Administration and Management, General, and Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse being the most sought after. The school has a 12 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 83% first year retention rate, and 64% 4-year graduation rate. Acceptance Rate 77.1% SAT Score 1,100 – 1,270 Avg. Net Price $31,732 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $52,721
5	Stevenson University	80.06	1,010 – 1,190	27162	54574	#5 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Stevenson University Owings Mills, MD Based in Owings Mills, Stevenson University accepted 80% students who applied to the school in the last admissions cycle and charges unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 100% of students attending Stevenson University currently receive institutional grant aid to make attending college more affordable. 81% of......Read more Acceptance Rate 80.1% SAT Score 1,010 – 1,190 Avg. Net Price $27,162 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $54,574
6	York College of Pennsylvania	73.74	1,030 – 1,280	20096	50940	#6 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation York College of Pennsylvania York, PA Based in York, York College of Pennsylvania accepts 74% of applicants. They require unknown for undergraduate applications. Approximately 98% of students at York College of Pennsylvania will receive institutional grant aid. 78% of students continued studying at York College of Pennsylvania after completing their first year....Read more Acceptance Rate 73.7% SAT Score 1,030 – 1,280 Avg. Net Price $20,096 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $50,940
7	Misericordia University	88.71	930 – 1,230	26747	55910	#7 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Misericordia University Dallas, PA Misericordia University is a private liberal arts school located just north of Philadelphia. Many of its students come from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. Roman Catholic, College Misericordia was founded in 1924 by the Religious Sisters of Mercy – it became a university in 2007. Acceptance Rate 88.7% SAT Score 930 – 1,230 Avg. Net Price $26,747 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $55,910
8	Hood College	85.17	930 – 1,180	23350	48415	#8 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Hood College Frederick, MD Based in Frederick, Hood College’s acceptance rate is 85%. They charge unknown for undergraduate applications and . Approximately 100% of students at Hood College currently receive institutional grant aid. On average, these students receive $32,476 each. The first year retention rate is 77%....Read more Acceptance Rate 85.2% SAT Score 930 – 1,180 Avg. Net Price $23,350 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $48,415
9	Delaware Valley University	92.68	1,090 – 1,290	28975	41324	#9 Top Hidden Gem Colleges – Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation Delaware Valley University Doylestown, PA Delaware Valley University opened its doors as the National Farm School in 1896. It became Delaware Valley College in 1989, receiving university status in 2015. Business Administration and Management, General is the most popular area of study. Athletes are known as the Aggies....Read more Acceptance Rate 92.7% SAT Score 1,090 – 1,290 Avg. Net Price $28,975 Sign in to see your Estimated Net Price Median Starting Salary $41,324