2026 Best Value Value Schools in New York
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 40 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Value Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned the #1 spot for value among value schools in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Value graduates carry a median of $14,475 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $57,403. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Farmingdale State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $38,789. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Onondaga Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $12,623 in student loans. Value graduates of Onondaga Community College earn a median of $35,781 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,623 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Herkimer County Community College, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $31,468. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Suny College Of Technology At Alfred one of the best values for value. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, while out-of-state students pay about $16,837. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,721 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Saint Josephs College New York earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Saint Josephs College New York is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $36,550. Value graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $49,214. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $51,766. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Utica College placed #8 among the best values for value. Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Utica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,237 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $69,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Hilbert College placed #9 among the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $33,740. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $32,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Hilbert College admits about 97% of applicants.
Long Island University C W Post Campus landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Set in the suburb of Brookville, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Typical student debt for value graduates is $25,211. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. Set against $25,211 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York placed #11 among the best values for value. Set in the city of New York, Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,670 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Pace University New York earn a median of $58,863 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Hofstra University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $38,773 early in their careers. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
Syracuse University earned the #13 position for value in value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for value graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $41,220. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
