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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best General Education Schools in New York

5 Colleges in the United States
680 General Education Degrees Awarded
$48,029 Avg Early-Career Salary

General Education programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

College Factual analyzed 39 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best general education schools.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for General Education in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall general education education in New York.

Top Schools in General Education

1
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY

No school ranked higher than New York University this year for general education. New York University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. About 88% of students finish within six years. About 17 general education degrees were awarded at New York University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from New York University generally make around $60,354. Students borrow a median of $21,375 to complete this degree. Get the full general education details for New York University

2
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in general education, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 12 general education degrees were awarded at Colgate University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. Typical student debt for the program is $16,286. See the full general education program report for Colgate University

3
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in general education, ranking #3. Located in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Syracuse University graduates 84% of students within six years. Syracuse University awarded about 27 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $54,785 in their early career. Syracuse University graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Syracuse University

4
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at Adelphi University, which ranked #4. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 72 general education degrees were awarded at Adelphi University in the most recent year. Students who receive their general education degree from Adelphi University earn around $26,228 in the first couple years of their career. Adelphi University graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at Adelphi University

5

Students looking for a strong general education program will find one at College Of Mount Saint Vincent, which ranked #5. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Bronx. College Of Mount Saint Vincent graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 57 general education students who graduated with this degree at College Of Mount Saint Vincent in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from College Of Mount Saint Vincent generally make around $58,239. College Of Mount Saint Vincent graduates carry a median of $26,385 in student loans. Read more about the general education program at College Of Mount Saint Vincent

6

University Of Rochester came in at #6 for general education this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Rochester awarded about 15 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from University Of Rochester generally make around $60,865. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for University Of Rochester

7
Niagara University crest
Niagara University
Niagara University, NY

Niagara University placed #7 among the best general education schools. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Niagara University. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 176 general education degrees were awarded at Niagara University in the most recent year. General Education graduates of Niagara University earn a median of $51,918 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,208. Read more about the general education program at Niagara University

8

Saint Thomas Aquinas College placed #8 among the best general education schools. Located in the suburb of Sparkill, Saint Thomas Aquinas College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 54% of students finish within six years. Saint Thomas Aquinas College awarded about 17 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Saint Thomas Aquinas College earn a median of $44,519 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,700. More information about a degree in general education from Saint Thomas Aquinas College

9
Mercy College crest
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College earned the #9 position for general education this year. Located in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 45%. Mercy College awarded about 24 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Mercy College earn around $61,432 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $28,304. Read more about the general education program at Mercy College

10

Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #10 spot for general education this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Bronx. Cuny Bronx Community College awarded about 11 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their general education degree from Cuny Bronx Community College earn around $35,768 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete this degree. See the full general education program report for Cuny Bronx Community College

11
Suny Empire State College crest
Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College landed the #11 spot for general education this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. Suny Empire State College graduates 36% of students within six years. Suny Empire State College awarded about 139 general education degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, general education degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $39,046. Typical student debt for the program is $21,422. Get the full general education details for Suny Empire State College

12

University At Buffalo landed the #12 spot for general education this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Buffalo. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 31 general education students who graduated with this degree at University At Buffalo in the most recent data year. Graduates of the general education program make about $46,866 in their early career. University At Buffalo graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from University At Buffalo

13
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College placed #13 among the best general education schools. This large public university is located in the city of Long Island City. Cuny Laguardia Community College awarded about 82 general education degrees in the most recent data year. General Education graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $31,437 early in their careers. Cuny Laguardia Community College graduates carry a median of $8,858 in student loans. More information about a degree in general education from Cuny Laguardia Community College

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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