2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in New York
[General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 29 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general economics students.
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2027 Best Value General Economics Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general economics degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value General Economics Schools
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College tops our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,758 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earn a median of $51,728 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values for general economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general economics, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for general economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. General Economics graduates carry a median of $7,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Cuny Lehman College one of the best values for general economics. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $44,258 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #6 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $33,709. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #7 spot for general economics value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. General Economics graduates carry a median of $8,794 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Queens College placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,500. General Economics graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $39,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #9 for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Students borrow a median of $16,520 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,227. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $24,474 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Stony Brook University placed #11 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,550. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,349. That is a strong return on a $21,550 median debt. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Suny College At Buffalo earned the #12 position for value in general economics this year. 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. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,547. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #13 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. General Economics graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $47,363 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Columbia University In The City Of New York ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $83,135. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University At Buffalo landed the #15 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $20,225. Early-career general economics graduates make about $40,078. That is a strong return on a $20,225 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton earned the #16 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. General Economics graduates carry a median of $19,919 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,502 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,919 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #17 for value in general economics this year. Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Purchase. Students from in state pay about $9,016 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,266 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,297. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Cornell University earned the #18 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. General Economics graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. General Economics graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Barnard College placed #19 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,888 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Barnard College generally make around $50,790. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
St Lawrence University earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Located in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,900. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $57,829. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
St Johns University New York landed the #21 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $53,529. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $23,250. General Economics graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $45,301 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.
Skidmore College ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,140. Students borrow a median of $18,274 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Skidmore College earn a median of $34,440 early in their careers. Set against $18,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Siena College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value general economics schools. Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Loudonville. In-state tuition and fees average $45,805. General Economics graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Siena College generally make around $54,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Union College New York earned the #24 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,039. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $52,020. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
New York University landed the #25 spot for general economics value this year. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from New York University generally make around $68,495. That is a strong return on a $21,250 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value General Economics Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general economics:
More General Economics Rankings
View All General Economics Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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.
