2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in New York
[Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities](/majors/liberal-arts-sciences-humanities/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 82 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for liberal arts / sciences & humanities students.
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2027 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Cuny City College tops our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $12,985. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny City College earn a median of $43,059 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $12,678 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $43,545. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $54,729 early in their careers. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Suffolk County Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts / sciences & humanities, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College one of the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,057. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $23,669. Set against $8,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #6 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $7,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $26,251 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #7 position for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $8,450. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $19,582. That is a strong return on a $8,450 median debt.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #8 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,498. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $24,758. That is a strong return on a $11,498 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #9 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Students borrow a median of $8,115 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Kingsborough Community College earn a median of $27,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,115 median debt.
Cuny Hostos Community College ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,549 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $22,344 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Nassau Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $9,500. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,510. Set against $9,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Ulster County Community College landed the #12 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,666, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $24,015. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,343 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $31,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #14 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Students borrow a median of $11,144 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $18,360 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,144 median debt. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Monroe Community College placed #15 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,006 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $25,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College landed the #16 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,713. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earn a median of $21,272 early in their careers.
Hudson Valley Community College landed the #18 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Hudson Valley Community College generally make around $28,464. Set against $10,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Orange County Community College landed the #19 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, compared with $12,334 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,625 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts / sciences & humanities degree recipients from Orange County Community College generally make around $20,630. That is a strong return on a $10,625 median debt.
Suny Westchester Community College ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $30,417 early in their careers. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Fulton Montgomery Community College ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value liberal arts / sciences & humanities schools. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,198 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $6,798. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the liberal arts / sciences & humanities program here. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $21,482. That is a strong return on a $10,999 median debt.
Farmingdale State College came in at #22 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,443. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Columbia Greene Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts / sciences & humanities value this year. Located in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,000. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt.
Erie Community College placed #24 among the best values for liberal arts / sciences & humanities. 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, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates carry a median of $10,090 in student loans. Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $23,608 early in their careers. Set against $10,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Niagara County Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, compared with $12,030 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates is $11,500. Early-career liberal arts / sciences & humanities graduates make about $22,942. Set against $11,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in liberal arts / sciences & humanities:
More Liberal Arts / Sciences & Humanities Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 82 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 82 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.
