by our College Data Analytics Team
Looking for the best colleges for the money in New York? Our ranking highlights 136 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. You are viewing our No Aid ranking, which weighs each school’s published sticker price (tuition, fees, and room and board) before financial aid — scroll to Customize Your Rankings to switch views.
So you can compare your options, College Factual analyzed 136 schools to compile this 2026 best-value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
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Our analysis looked at 136 schools in New York to surface the strongest return on investment. Our ranking is based on objective factors.
We start with the combined cost of average tuition, fees, and room and board — the list price before aid is applied (our No Aid ranking). Value also depends on the quality of the education, not just the price. We then balance cost against student outcomes — completion, resources, and earnings after graduation.
The schools that score best offer the strongest return on your investment. See the full methodology.
Not every student is looking for the same thing. Drill down by location and field of study, or explore related rankings below. You can also browse by degree level:
Explore the best values below:
For return on investment, no school beat Cuny Bernard M Baruch College this year in New York. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Graduates carry a median of $11,691 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,971. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.
You'll get strong value at Cuny Hunter College, which ranked #2 this year. Based in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $11,091. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College has an acceptance rate of 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earned it the #3 place in New York. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public school based in New York, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $15,420. Typical student debt is $12,678. Median earnings reach $56,195 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $12,678 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice has an acceptance rate of 57%.
A rank of #4 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values in New York. Cuny Brooklyn College is a public school based in Brooklyn, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Cuny Brooklyn College students take on a median of $13,303 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Cuny Queens College came in at #5 on this year's best-value ranking in New York. Cuny Queens College is a public school based in Queens, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, with out-of-state students paying around $15,488. Graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,763 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.
Cuny City College came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in New York, NY, Cuny City College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Cuny City College students take on a median of $13,389 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,039 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny Lehman College offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Based in Bronx, NY, Cuny Lehman College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $13,213 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,013. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Lehman College admits about 57% of applicants.
Suffolk County Community College came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Suffolk County Community College is a public school based in Selden, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. The median program debt is $11,246. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,907 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt is $11,492. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,365. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Nassau Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Garden City, NY, Nassau Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,330, with out-of-state students paying around $12,130. The median program debt is $11,850. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,248. That is a strong return on a $11,850 median debt.
Cuny York College came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Jamaica, NY, Cuny York College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,945 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. Located in Staten Island, NY, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Typical student debt is $14,688. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,501. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 92% of those who apply are admitted.
United States Merchant Marine Academy landed the #13 spot for value in New York this year. Based in Kings Point, NY, United States Merchant Marine Academy is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $895. United States Merchant Marine Academy alumni report median earnings of $90,610 a decade after entry. United States Merchant Marine Academy has an acceptance rate of 34%.
Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. This public school is set in Bayside, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,214 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,794 to complete their program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,306. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Kingsborough Community College placed #16 among the best values in New York. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Typical student debt is $7,858. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,621 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Located in Bronx, NY, Cuny Bronx Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete their program here. Cuny Bronx Community College alumni report median earnings of $41,307 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Set in Long Island City, NY, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,858 to complete their program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,653. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Hostos Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Set in Bronx, NY, Cuny Hostos Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Graduates carry a median of $9,007 in student loans. Median earnings reach $40,485 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Hudson Valley Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Troy, NY, Hudson Valley Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Students borrow a median of $12,868 to complete their program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $45,460 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $12,868 median debt.
Ulster County Community College landed the #21 spot for value in New York this year. Based in Stone Ridge, NY, Ulster County Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, with out-of-state students paying around $12,146. Typical student debt is $13,354. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,896. Set against $13,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #22 among the best values in New York. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Cuny Medgar Evers College students take on a median of $12,531 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $46,498. Set against $12,531 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Medgar Evers College admits about 86% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College landed the #23 spot for value in New York this year. Set in Farmingdale, NY, Farmingdale State College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt is $19,528. Median earnings reach $69,781 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,528 median debt. About 63% of those who apply are admitted.
Erie Community College landed the #24 spot for value in New York this year. This public school is set in Buffalo, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,100, with out-of-state students paying around $11,300. Typical student debt is $12,580. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,228. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Orange County Community College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best colleges for the money. Set in Middletown, NY, Orange County Community College is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Typical student debt is $14,152. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,117. That is a strong return on a $14,152 median debt.
Not far behind, these schools also delivered strong value this year:
*Averages shown above reflect the top 136 ranked schools only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment — drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 136 schools evaluated. References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.
