College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2024 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in New York

47 Ranked Colleges
10,128 Degrees Awarded
$8,400 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York” ranking.

Liberal Arts is one of the most popular majors in the nation, ranking 2nd of all the majors we analyze. In 2020-2021, 366,996 degrees were awarded to students with this major.

Across New York, there were 10,128 liberal arts graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York” ranking looked at 47 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in liberal arts. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality liberal arts programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the liberal arts program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Liberal Studies Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The liberal studies school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Liberal Arts in New York

1

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, Suffolk County Community College landed the #1 spot on the list. This large school is located in Selden, New York, and it awarded 53 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our new york liberal studies students list, Suffolk County Community College has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Suffolk County Community College is $5,270 for new york liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Suffolk County Community College

2
Excelsior University crest
Excelsior University
Albany, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Excelsior University. It ranked #2 on our 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York list. This fairly large school is located in Albany, New York, and it awarded 1,877 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Excelsior University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Excelsior University

3
SUNY Stony Brook crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, Stony Brook University landed the #3 spot on the list. SUNY Stony Brook is located in Stony Brook, New York and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 121 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

SUNY Stony Brook not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list. The yearly cost to attend Stony Brook University is $16,119 for New York Liberal Studies students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Stony Brook University

4
SUNY Ulster crest
SUNY Ulster
Stone Ridge, New York

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend SUNY Ulster. It ranked #4 on our 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York list. SUNY Ulster is a small school located in Stone Ridge, New York that handed out 12 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

SUNY Ulster also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for SUNY Ulster is $4,076 for new york liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SUNY Ulster

5
Nassau Community College crest
Nassau Community College
Garden City, New York

Out of the 47 schools in the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York that were part of this year’s ranking, Nassau Community College landed the #5 spot on the list. Nassau Community College is a fairly large public school situated in Garden City, New York. It awarded 70 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Nassau Community College not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list. The estimated yearly cost for Nassau Community College is $4,932 for New York Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Nassau Community College

6
Rockland Community College crest
Rockland Community College
Suffern, New York

With a ranking of #6, Rockland Community College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York list. Rockland Community College is a medium-sized school located in Suffern, New York that handed out 77 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Rockland Community College, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Rockland Community College is $9,934 for New York Liberal Studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Rockland Community College

7
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York

With a ranking of #7, The Graduate Center, CUNY did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York list. The Graduate Center, CUNY is a medium-sized school located in New York, New York that handed out 115 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The Graduate Center did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at The Graduate Center, CUNY

8
GCC crest
Genesee Community College
Batavia, New York

Genesee Community College landed the #8 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. GCC is a small public school situated in Batavia, New York. It awarded 21 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at GCC, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Genesee Community College is $6,145 for new york liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Genesee Community College

9

Hudson Valley Community College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York list. HVCC is located in Troy, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

HVCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Hudson Valley Community College is $7,927 for new york liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at HVCC

10
DCC crest
Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, New York

Dutchess Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking, coming in at #10. DCC is a public institution located in Poughkeepsie, New York. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

DCC also took the #19 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Dutchess Community College is $7,836 for new york liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Dutchess Community College

11
OCC crest
Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, New York

Onondaga Community College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Syracuse, New York, and it awarded 86 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

OCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for Onondaga Community College is $6,410 for New York Liberal Studies students.

Full Onondaga Community College Liberal Arts Report

12

Mohawk Valley Community College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. Mohawk Valley Community College is located in Utica, New York and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 30 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

MVCC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list. The yearly cost to attend MVCC is $7,942 for New York Liberal Studies students.

Full Mohawk Valley Community College Liberal Arts Report

13

Niagara County Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking, coming in at #13. Located in Sanborn, New York, this small public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

Niagara County Community College also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Niagara County Community College is $5,267 for new york liberal studies students.

Full Niagara County Community College Liberal Arts Report

14
Corning Community College crest
Corning Community College
Corning, New York

Corning Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking, coming in at #14. Corning Community College is a small school located in Corning, New York that handed out 46 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Corning Community College is $7,423 for new york liberal studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Corning Community College

15
SUNY Orange crest
Orange County Community College
Middletown, New York

Orange County Community College landed the #15 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. Middletown, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s liberal studies degrees to 125 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,607 for New York Liberal Studies students per year to attend Orange County Community College.

Full Orange County Community College Liberal Arts Report

16
Purchase College crest
Purchase College
Purchase, New York

Purchase College came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. This small school is located in Purchase, New York, and it awarded 80 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

Purchase College also took the #13 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Purchase College is $17,701 for New York Liberal Studies students.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Purchase College

17

Tompkins Cortland Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking, coming in at #17. Tompkins Cortland is a small public school situated in Dryden, New York. It awarded 34 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Tompkins Cortland is $10,362 for new york liberal studies students.

Full Tompkins Cortland Community College Liberal Arts Report

18
North Country Community College crest
North Country Community College
Saranac Lake, New York

North Country Community College landed the #18 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. North Country Community College is a public institution located in Saranac Lake, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for North Country Community College is $12,011 for new york liberal studies students.

Read more about Liberal Arts at North Country Community College

19
Jefferson Community College crest
Jefferson Community College
Watertown, New York

Jefferson Community College came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. Jefferson Community College is a public institution located in Watertown, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 21 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Jefferson Community College is $10,767 for new york liberal studies students.

Full Jefferson Community College Liberal Arts Report

20
Jamestown Community College crest
Jamestown Community College
Jamestown, New York

Jamestown Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Jamestown, New York, this small public school handed out 37 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,302 for new york liberal studies students per year to attend Jamestown Community College.

Read more about Liberal Arts at Jamestown Community College

21

Borough of Manhattan Community College ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York list. BMCC is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 963 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

BMCC also made our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Borough of Manhattan Community College is $5,646 for new york liberal studies students.

Full BMCC Liberal Arts Report

22
SUNY Sullivan crest
Sullivan County Community College
Loch Sheldrake, New York

Sullivan County Community College did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking, coming in at #22. Sullivan County Community College is a public institution located in Loch Sheldrake, New York. The school has a small population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $8,977 for New York Liberal Studies students per year to attend SUNY Sullivan.

Read more about Liberal Arts at SUNY Sullivan

23
Alfred State crest
Alfred State College
Alfred, New York

With a ranking of #23, Alfred State College did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York list. Located in Alfred, New York, this small public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified ’s liberal studies students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $17,263 for new york liberal studies students per year to attend Alfred State.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at Alfred State

24

Queensborough Community College landed the #24 spot on the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking. Queensborough Community College is located in Bayside, New York and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 644 ’s liberal studies degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $5,857 for New York Liberal Studies students per year to attend Queensborough Community College.

Full Queensborough Community College Liberal Arts Report

25
CCNY crest
The City College of New York
New York, New York

The City College of New York did quite well in the 2024 Best Value Liberal Studies Schools in New York ranking, coming in at #25. CCNY is a fairly large public school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 128 ’s liberal studies degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CCNY, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Liberal Arts Schools in New York” ranking. It costs about $2,805 for New York Liberal Studies students per year to attend CCNY.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Liberal Arts at The City College of New York

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options