2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in New York
[General Studies](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/liberal-arts-and-general-studies/general-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value general studies schools.
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2027 Best Value General Studies Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general studies, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value General Studies Schools
Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in New York. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $12,460 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Ulster County Community College one of the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Ulster County Community College earn a median of $24,015 early in their careers. Set against $8,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Monroe Community College earned it the #3 place for general studies. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,056 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Monroe Community College earn a median of $25,252 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Orange County Community College, which ranked #4. Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Middletown. Students from in state pay about $6,526 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,334. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $43,442. Set against $10,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Fulton Montgomery Community College one of the best values for general studies. Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Johnstown. Students from in state pay about $6,198 in tuition and fees, compared with $6,798 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $21,482. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Columbia Greene Community College placed #6 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,048, compared with $11,448 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College earned the #7 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,796, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Students borrow a median of $10,046 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $28,464 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,046 median debt.
Niagara County Community College landed the #8 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,942. That is a strong return on a $11,500 median debt.
Erie Community College landed the #9 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,090. General Studies graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $23,608 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Corning Community College landed the #10 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the rural area of Corning, Corning Community College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,534, while out-of-state students pay about $10,326. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $26,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Genesee Community College placed #11 among the best values for general studies. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,900, with out-of-state students paying around $6,500. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,064. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $22,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $57,520. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Sullivan County Community College placed #13 among the best values for general studies. Located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a small public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,468, with out-of-state students paying around $12,132. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Sullivan County Community College earn a median of $27,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Onondaga Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,102, while out-of-state students pay about $11,392. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,950. General Studies graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $22,966 early in their careers. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #15 spot for general studies value this year. Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Utica. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,100 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Farmingdale State College placed #16 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $22,443. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Broome Community College ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,624 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $23,351 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Schenectady County Community College earned the #18 position for value in general studies this year. Schenectady County Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Schenectady. Students from in state pay about $6,190 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,974 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. General Studies graduates carry a median of $24,833 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,165. Set against $24,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
Dutchess Community College came in at #20 for value in general studies this year. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. In-state tuition and fees average $5,670, compared with $10,670 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Dutchess Community College earn a median of $22,095 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Adirondack Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Queensbury. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,844, compared with $9,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $14,075. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Adirondack Community College generally make around $31,590. Set against $14,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Jamestown Community College earned the #22 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,840. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $9,280. General Studies graduates of Jamestown Community College earn a median of $23,757 early in their careers. Set against $9,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny Empire State College came in at #23 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, while out-of-state students pay about $17,558. General Studies graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $58,140 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,693 median debt.
Clinton Community College placed #24 among the best values for general studies. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College is a small public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,831. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,521. General Studies graduates of Clinton Community College earn a median of $25,319 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,521 median debt.
Suny College At Buffalo ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. General Studies graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $32,082. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value General Studies Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general studies:
More General Studies Rankings
View All General Studies Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
