by our College Data Analytics Team
[Value](/majors/agriculture-ag-operations/veterinary-animal-health-technologies/veterinary-animal-health-technology-technician-and-veterinary-assistant/) 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.
College Factual analyzed 12 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value value schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Suffolk County Community College tops our 2026 list of the best value value schools in New York. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Typical student debt for value graduates is $11,246. Early-career value graduates make about $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ulster County Community College earned it the #2 place for value. Located in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,666, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Value graduates carry a median of $12,854 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Ulster County Community College generally make around $37,346. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Cuny Laguardia Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $8,858. Value graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $50,281 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Genesee Community College, which ranked #4. Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Batavia. In-state tuition and fees average $5,900, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Value graduates carry a median of $15,991 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Genesee Community College generally make around $40,106. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at Suny Westchester Community College, which ranked #5. Suny Westchester Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Valhalla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,948, compared with $12,486 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,764 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $57,520 early in their careers. Set against $8,764 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Suny College Of Technology At Alfred ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,892, with out-of-state students paying around $16,837. Typical student debt for value graduates is $14,500. Early-career value graduates make about $36,293. Set against $14,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Alfred admits about 76% of applicants.
Suny College Of Technology At Canton earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,742, compared with $15,769 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $20,310. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny College Of Technology At Canton generally make around $37,352. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Mercy College placed #8 among the best values for value. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. Students from in state pay about $22,880 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College Of Technology At Delhi earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Suny College Of Technology At Delhi is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Delhi. Students from in state pay about $8,772 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,762. Value graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $37,771. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus earned the #10 position for value in value this year. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $42,432. Value graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Long Island University C W Post Campus generally make around $61,547. That is a strong return on a $25,211 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
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 Major Best Value · 12 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.