Also known as the Mid-Atlantic region, the Mid-East region of the United States is home to some of the most amazing colleges in the country. Some pre-date the American Revolution. With so many standout names, though, it can be easier to overlook some colleges that deserve more attention. College Raptor aims to highlight those schools (which tend to be smaller, but still have outstanding programs) in this list of Hidden Gem Colleges in the Mid-East US.
What Is a “Hidden Gem?”
Each institution on this “hidden gem” college rankings list meets the following criteria:
- Receive fewer than 5,000 applications per year
- Have fewer than 7,000 undergraduate students
- Offer 5 or more unique majors
- Have a 10% acceptance rate or higher
- Is located in one of the following Mid-East states: Delaware, DC, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania
*Note: We feature the top 3 Hidden Gems per state, however not all states had 3 schools that met all of our criteria, so some may only feature one or two.
2025 Hidden Gem Colleges in the Mid-East US
DC
Gallaudet University is a school dedicated to the deaf and hard of hearing. Accepting just over 60% of applicants, they have two official languages: English and American Sign Language. Many students will go on to major in Psychology, Social Work, Deaf Studies, and Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
Location
Washington, DC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,322
Trinity Washington University is a liberal arts school for women and was established in 1897. The school has a 99% acceptance rate and has a $0 application fee. Trinity has five schools for its students and top majors include Social Psychology, Health and Wellness, Registered Nursing, and Business Administration and Management.
Location
Washington, DC
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,895
DELAWARE
Goldey-Beacom College was founded in 1886 and today offers up to a doctorate for its students. 80% of students receive institutional grants from the college, with an average of just over $6,200 per student. Accepting 77% of applicants, common majors include Business Administration and Management, Finance, and Psychology.
Location
Wilmington, DE
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,012
MARYLAND
The Washington College dates back to 1723 when it began as the Kent County Free School. It would become Washington College in 1782. Today, it is the 10th oldest college in the United States and was the first college chartered after the American Revolution. George Washington was heavily involved in the founding.
Location
Chestertown, MD
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
955
Founded in 1840, St. Mary’s College of Maryland was originally known as St. Mary’s Female Seminary. It actually shares its campus with Historic St. Mary’s City, which is the state’s first colony and capital. A majority of students attending today are female, but the school is co-educational and has been since 1949.
Location
St. Mary’s City, MD
Institution Type
Public
Student Enrollment
1,520
Founded in 1885, Goucher College was originally an all woman's college but is today a coed liberal arts college. The school has a 73% acceptance rate and it is free to apply. About 20% of the student population participate in intercollegiate sports (NCAA Division III) and are know as the Goucher Gophers.
Location
Baltimore, MD
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,727
NEW JERSEY
The Florham Campus of the Fairleigh Dickinson University opened in spring of 2013, and the university itself has campuses in New Jersey, Canada, and the UK. Classes are also available online. With a 80% first year retention rate, students often major in Psychology, Biology, and Registered Nursing, and Business Administration and Management.
Location
Madison, NJ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,823
Drew University goes by the nickname “University of the Forest” due to the fact it is on an 186 acre wooded campus. The school’s motto is “δωρεὰν ἐλάβετε, δωρεὰν δότε”, which is Greek for "Freely ye have received, freely give” from Matthew 10:8. Blue and green are the school colors and the sports teams are known as the Rangers.
Location
Madison, NJ
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,092
The Metropolitan Campus became Fairleigh Dickinson University's second campus in 1954 and is now home to FDU's business, professional, science and healthcare programs. The school has a 96% acceptance rate, 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and 62% six year graduation rate. About 88% of attending students receive institutional aid, an average of $21,227.
Location
Teaneck
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
7,285
NEW YORK
Yeshiva University, a research university in Manhattan, has four schools that make up the undergraduate program: Yeshiva College, Stern College for Women, Katz School of Science and Health, and Syms School of Business. Campuses, buildings, and facilities can also be found in other NYC boroughs and in Israel. Yeshiva has a 64% acceptance rate and 92% first year retention rate.
Location
New York City, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
6,056
Touro was established in 1970 and serves students across 35 schools in 4 countries. Its New York campus has a 63% acceptance rate, 84% first year retention rate, and 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. Top majors for students include Psychology, Health Services/Allied Health, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, and Biology.
Location
New York, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
11,111
Nazareth University was founded in 1942 as a college for women. Today the school is co-educational and follows an integrated experiential approach to learning. Nazareth has a 79% acceptance rate, $0 application fee, and almost all (99%) of students who decide to attend will receive institutional aid. Top majors for students are Psychology and Registered Nursing.
Location
Rochester, NY
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,522
PENNSYLVANIA
Bryn Mawr is a highly selective school, with an acceptance rate of about 31%. A distinguished women’s college, Bryn Mawr is part of the Seven Sisters College consortium, expanding students’ academic opportunities. With an 90% first year retention rate, Bryn Mawr also has a 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio.
Location
Bryn Mawr, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,742
Grove City College is a non-denominational college that has a high acceptance rate of 73% and they receive around 2,000 applications annually. Almost half the students that attend are from Pennsylvania, and another majority come from surrounding states. With an 88% first year retention rate, 75% of students will graduate in 4 years.
Location
Grove City, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
2,316
Muhlenberg College is a small private, liberal arts college about an hour and half north of Philadelphia. Over 70% of students who attend this Lutheran college come from three states - Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. The school has a 64% acceptance rate and about 99% of students who decide to attend will receive institutional grant aid.
Location
Allentown, PA
Institution Type
Private
Student Enrollment
1,959
Why Should You Consider Going to a Hidden Gem?
With nearly 4,000 schools that grant degrees in the United States, and hundreds found in the Mid-East, it’s impossible to know them all. College Raptor’s Hidden Gems are top rated schools that simply don’t get as many applications as the big names, like Cornell University and the Columbia University, for example. Almost all Hidden Gem schools are pulled from the top 33% of our own overall rankings, which takes into account things like diversity, endowment, graduation rates, and more. As a result, most of these schools on our Hidden Gems list will have solid statistics backing them up.
Here are a few additional reasons why Hidden Gem schools should be on your radar:
- They tend to be less expensive than your Ivy League or Top 50 schools.
- They’re ideal for students who want a smaller school, more intimate classes, and tighter knit campus communities.
- They can be easier to get into as they tend to receive fewer applicants.
- They have top notch programs, whether they offer 5 or over a hundred.
College Raptor recommends using Rankings and Hidden Gem lists as a starting point in your college search. Sign up for a FREE College Raptor account to start making your own “best colleges” list based on your academic, geographical, and cultural preferences.
Why is the Mid-East a Great Place to Go to School?
The Mid-Atlantic region of the United States offers some amazing opportunities you won’t find elsewhere in the country (or even the world). There’s plenty of history to be found in each of the states, from the fields of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Students can take advantage of the endless trails, fishing, beaches, restaurants, museums, and more that call the mid-east home.
Loving these Mid-East Hidden Gem Colleges? Check out College Raptor’s free match tool to see if they’re a good fit for you!
Methodology
Colleges are ranked based on a combination of factors, including graduation rates, campus diversity, endowment per student, and other data as reported via the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) for the most recently available enrollment year. Some colleges may have been excluded from rankings based on certain criteria, including specialization and classification. Learn about our full methodology.
College Raptor is a leading provider of net price calculators to colleges across the U.S. As such we are uniquely qualified to estimate college affordability. Check out College Raptor’s free match tool to see if your favorite college is affordable for you.
