2027 Best Value Economics Schools in New York
[Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/) 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 37 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for economics students.
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2027 Best Value Economics Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in economics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Economics Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Bernard M Baruch College the best value for a degree in economics in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,758. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,728. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $14,000. Economics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $34,580 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for economics. 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 economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Cuny City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Economics graduates carry a median of $7,300 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cuny Lehman College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $44,258. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, 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. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #7 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.
Cuny Queens College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. Cuny Queens College is a large public school located in the city of Queens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $9,500. Early-career economics graduates make about $39,377. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College earned the #9 position for value in economics this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $19,528. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Cuny College Of Staten Island placed #10 among the best values for economics. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Early-career 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 landed the #11 spot for economics value this year. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. In-state tuition and fees average $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Economics graduates carry a median of $24,474 in student loans. Economics graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $37,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,474 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #12 spot for economics value this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,824 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,691. Set against $20,824 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Stony Brook University placed #13 among the best values for 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, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,550. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,349. That is a strong return on a $21,550 median debt. The acceptance rate is 49%.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #14 spot for economics value this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $41,547 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #15 spot for economics value this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $47,363. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #16 spot for economics value this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,000. Economics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $83,135 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #17 for value in economics this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Students borrow a median of $20,225 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $40,078. Set against $20,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #18 for value in 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, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $19,919 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Suny At Purchase College came in at #19 for value in economics this year. Located in the suburb of Purchase, Suny At Purchase College is a mid-sized public university. 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 economics program here. Economics graduates of Suny At Purchase College earn a median of $34,297 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Suny At Purchase College admits about 74% of applicants.
Cornell University came in at #20 for value in economics this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $84,967. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Colgate University placed #21 among the best values for economics. Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Hamilton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,306. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $77,274 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Barnard College earned the #22 position for value in economics this year. Located in the city of New York, Barnard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,888. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $85,860. Set against $16,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Barnard College admits about 9% of applicants.
St Lawrence University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value economics schools. St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Canton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,900. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $57,829. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. St Lawrence University admits about 54% of applicants.
Hamilton College placed #24 among the best values for economics. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $18,250. Early-career economics graduates make about $71,350. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rochester placed #25 among the best values for economics. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,080. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,946 in student loans. Economics graduates of University Of Rochester earn a median of $63,475 early in their careers. Set against $19,946 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Rochester admits about 40% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Economics Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for economics this year:
View All Economics 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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
