by our College Data Analytics TeamYeshiva University ranks #1 of 124 colleges in College Factual’s 2027 Best Associate’s Degree Colleges in New York ranking, which scores schools on more than 20 measures of academic quality and student outcomes. The top 25 colleges average a 66% six-year graduation rate and $74,125 in median earnings five years after graduation.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
With all of the college options in New York, narrowing things down is no easy task. We have ranked **124** institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2027 methodology.
So you can compare your options, College Factual reviewed 124 colleges using more than 20 objective factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, and per-student spending, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). Learn more about our ranking methodology.
Yeshiva University leads the 124 ranked colleges in New York, followed by Fashion Institute Of Technology (#2) and New York University (#3). Here are the top-ranked colleges:
Our analysis found Yeshiva University to be the best college in New York. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $51,800 in tuition and fees. Median early-career earnings reach $52,838. Students borrow a median of $20,625 to complete a degree here.
You'll be in good company at Fashion Institute Of Technology, which ranked #2 this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,174, compared with $22,696 for out-of-state students. Fashion Institute Of Technology graduates report median early-career earnings of $29,250. Graduates carry a median of $17,912 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at New York University, which ranked #3 this year. Located in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. New York University graduates 88% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,516 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans.
Adelphi University came in at #4 on this year's Best Colleges ranking in New York. Set in Garden City, NY, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. Adelphi University posts a six-year graduation rate of 67%. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Graduates go on to earn a median of $51,037 early in their careers. Graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans.
You'll be in good company at Manhattan College, which ranked #5 this year. Based in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Manhattan College graduates 64% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,400 in tuition and fees. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,065 early in their careers. The median student debt is $25,968.
Culinary Institute Of America ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Located in Hyde Park, NY, Culinary Institute Of America is a private not-for-profit institution. Culinary Institute Of America posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. In-state tuition and fees average $38,670. Median early-career earnings reach $35,043. Typical student debt is $22,257.
Dyouville College placed #7 among the best colleges in New York. Set in Buffalo, NY, Dyouville College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,940. Dyouville College graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,550. The median student debt is $30,232.
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Based in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. About 72% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,515 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete a degree here.
Helene Fuld College Of Nursing came in at #9 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Helene Fuld College Of Nursing is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,852. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $105,822. The median student debt is $27,775.
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry placed #10 among the best colleges in New York. This public school is set in Syracuse, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263.
Farmingdale State College ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Farmingdale, NY, Farmingdale State College is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,374 early in their careers. Typical student debt is $19,528.
St Josephs College Of Nursing At St Josephs Hospital Health Center came in at #12 in this year's ranking. Set in Syracuse, NY, St Josephs College Of Nursing At St Josephs Hospital Health Center is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,816. Early-career graduates earn a median of $72,048. Typical student debt is $19,279.
Elyon College came in at #13 in this year's ranking. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Elyon College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $14,620 in tuition and fees.
Excelsior College ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. Median early-career earnings reach $70,677. Typical student debt is $19,311.
The New School ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,730. Early-career graduates earn a median of $38,468. The median student debt is $24,460.
Saint Elizabeth College Of Nursing Utica landed the #16 spot in New York this year. Located in Utica, NY, Saint Elizabeth College Of Nursing Utica is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,180, while out-of-state students pay about $30,000. Saint Elizabeth College Of Nursing Utica graduates report median early-career earnings of $70,036. Typical student debt is $25,125.
Molloy College came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Located in Rockville Centre, NY, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Molloy College posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,790. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $65,544. Molloy College students take on a median of $27,420 in debt.
Touro College came in at #18 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Touro College is a private not-for-profit institution. Touro College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. In-state tuition and fees average $20,052. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $60,520. Graduates carry a median of $20,285 in student loans.
Suffolk County Community College ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Based in Selden, NY, Suffolk County Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Median early-career earnings reach $35,667. The median student debt is $11,246.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred landed the #20 spot in New York this year. Located in Alfred, NY, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a public institution. Roughly 54% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Early-career graduates earn a median of $43,831. Students borrow a median of $19,721 to complete a degree here.
Suny Empire State College did well this year, earning the #21 position. Suny Empire State College is a public school based in Saratoga Springs, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 36%. In-state tuition and fees average $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Early-career graduates earn a median of $58,140. The median student debt is $23,693.
Trocaire College placed #22 among the best colleges in New York. Set in Buffalo, NY, Trocaire College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,640. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $53,090. The median student debt is $21,588.
Pratt Institute Main did well this year, earning the #23 position. Located in Brooklyn, NY, Pratt Institute Main is a private not-for-profit institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $61,845. A year after graduating, students earn a median of $38,569. The median student debt is $25,103.
Pace University New York came in at #24 in this year's ranking. Located in New York, NY, Pace University New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 60% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $53,510. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,662 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,656 to complete a degree here.
Nassau Community College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best colleges. Set in Garden City, NY, Nassau Community College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Median early-career earnings reach $38,734. Nassau Community College students take on a median of $11,850 in debt.
These 25 colleges rank #26 through #50 of 124 in New York. These colleges also placed among the very best this year:
*These averages are for the top 25 ranked colleges only.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and per-student spending drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
References
Read more about our data sources and methodologies.