2026 Best Value Education Schools in New York

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College tops our 2026 list of the best value education schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,821 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $66,476. Set against $11,821 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College earned it the #2 place for education. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,691 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $65,726. Set against $11,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #3 place for education. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $12,901 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $63,484. Set against $12,901 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

4

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Queens College earned it the #4 place for education. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Education graduates carry a median of $15,653 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $66,039. Set against $15,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

5

Cuny City College
New York, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny City College one of the best values for education. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for education graduates is $9,916. Early-career education graduates make about $73,442. That is a strong return on a $9,916 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College earned the #6 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for education graduates is $13,213. Education graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $86,381 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

7

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #7 spot for education value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $31,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.

8

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #8 spot for education value this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,332, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Education graduates carry a median of $11,492 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $49,750. That is a strong return on a $11,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.

9

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in education this year. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for education graduates is $11,854. Early-career education graduates make about $59,041. Set against $11,854 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #10 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $5,500 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $49,413. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

11

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College earned the #11 position for value in education this year. Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Jamaica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,358, with out-of-state students paying around $15,308. Education graduates carry a median of $12,573 in student loans. Education graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $49,559 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny York College admits about 64% of applicants.

12

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. Education graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,674. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Cuny Hostos Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Hostos Community College earned the #13 position for value in education this year. Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, with out-of-state students paying around $8,134. Typical student debt for education graduates is $5,500. Education graduates of Cuny Hostos Community College earn a median of $24,283 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $23,672. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Students borrow a median of $11,246 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $35,667 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #16 for value in education this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,252 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,132. Education graduates carry a median of $8,380 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $21,589. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for education graduates is $8,858. 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.

18

Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, NY

Hudson Valley Community College placed #18 among the best values for education. Located in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,852. Typical student debt for education graduates is $12,868. Education graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $12,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Columbia Greene Community College
Hudson, NY

Columbia Greene Community College placed #19 among the best values for education. Set in the rural area of Hudson, Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,448. Students borrow a median of $19,168 to complete the education program here. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $44,597. That is a strong return on a $19,168 median debt.

20

Niagara County Community College
Sanborn, NY

Niagara County Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,894, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. Education graduates carry a median of $8,756 in student loans. Soon after graduation, education degree recipients from Niagara County Community College generally make around $36,258. Set against $8,756 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

21

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury came in at #21 for value in education this year. Located in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Education graduates carry a median of $23,808 in student loans. Education graduates of Suny College At Old Westbury earn a median of $60,128 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,808 median debt. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

22

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Suny Empire State College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, with out-of-state students paying around $17,558. Typical student debt for education graduates is $21,422. Education graduates of Suny Empire State College earn a median of $62,405 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,422 median debt.

23

Monroe College Main Campus
Bronx, NY

Monroe College Main Campus landed the #23 spot for education value this year. Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit school located in the city of Bronx. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,464. Students borrow a median of $21,450 to complete the education program here. Education graduates of Monroe College Main Campus earn a median of $58,194 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,450 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.

24

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value education schools. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $22,880. Education graduates carry a median of $28,304 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $71,086. That is a strong return on a $28,304 median debt. Mercy College admits about 86% of applicants.

25

Suny College At Potsdam
Potsdam, NY

Suny College At Potsdam earned the #25 position for value in education this year. Located in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. Education graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career education graduates make about $46,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants.