2026 Best Value General Education Schools in New York

1

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

For return on investment in general education, no school beat Cuny Bronx Community College this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, compared with $8,086 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,224. General Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

A rank of #2 makes Suny Empire State College one of the best values for general education. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,422 to complete the general education program here. Early-career general education graduates make about $39,046. Set against $21,422 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

A rank of #3 makes Mercy College one of the best values for general education. Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Students borrow a median of $28,304 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Mercy College generally make around $61,432. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.

4

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny Laguardia Community College one of the best values for general education. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $8,858. General Education graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.

5

Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Niagara University earned it the #5 place for general education. Niagara University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Niagara University. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Students borrow a median of $26,208 to complete the general education program here. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Niagara University generally make around $51,918. That is a strong return on a $26,208 median debt. Niagara University admits about 87% of applicants.

6

College Of Mount Saint Vincent
Bronx, NY

College Of Mount Saint Vincent landed the #6 spot for general education value this year. College Of Mount Saint Vincent is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $44,540 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $26,385. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from College Of Mount Saint Vincent generally make around $58,239. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

7

Saint Thomas Aquinas College
Sparkill, NY

Saint Thomas Aquinas College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Sparkill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,450. General Education graduates carry a median of $24,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Saint Thomas Aquinas College generally make around $44,519. Set against $24,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

8

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo came in at #8 for value in general education this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. General Education graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $46,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

9

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $48,775. General Education graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Adelphi University generally make around $26,228. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

10

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University earned the #10 position for value in general education this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $52,924 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.

11

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester earned the #11 position for value in general education this year. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. General Education graduates carry a median of $21,517 in student loans. Early-career general education graduates make about $60,865. Set against $21,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

12

New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #12 among the best values for general education. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete the general education program here. General Education graduates of New York University earn a median of $60,354 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,375 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

13

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value general education schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,528. Typical student debt for general education graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.