2026 Best Value General Studies Schools in New York

1

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College earned the #1 spot for value among general studies schools in New York. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, while out-of-state students pay about $12,460. Students borrow a median of $8,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $26,874. That is a strong return on a $8,000 median debt.

2

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $8,057 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Ulster County Community College
Stone Ridge, NY

Ulster County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the rural area of Stone Ridge, Ulster County Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,666, compared with $12,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $8,750. Early-career general studies graduates make about $24,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, NY

Hudson Valley Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general studies, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Troy, Hudson Valley Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,796, compared with $11,852 for out-of-state students. General Studies graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $28,464 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Students looking for strong value in general studies will find it at Cuny Laguardia Community College, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $5,500. Early-career general studies graduates make about $31,437. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College landed the #6 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,902.

7

Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY

Monroe Community College came in at #7 for value in general studies this year. Located in the suburb of Rochester, Monroe Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, while out-of-state students pay about $11,056. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Monroe Community College generally make around $25,252. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

Erie Community College came in at #8 for value in general studies this year. Set in the city of Buffalo, Erie Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,100 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,090. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Erie Community College generally make around $23,608. Set against $10,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Columbia Greene Community College
Hudson, NY

Columbia Greene Community College earned the #9 position for value in general studies this year. Columbia Greene Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Hudson. Students from in state pay about $6,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,448 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Columbia Greene Community College generally make around $28,342. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY

Orange County Community College placed #10 among the best values for general studies. Set in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the general studies program here. General Studies graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $43,442 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Onondaga Community College landed the #11 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the suburb of Syracuse, Onondaga Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,102, with out-of-state students paying around $11,392. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $10,950. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,966. Set against $10,950 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Niagara County Community College
Sanborn, NY

Niagara County Community College earned the #12 position for value in general studies this year. Located in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,030. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,500 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College came in at #13 for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,443. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

14

Fulton Montgomery Community College
Johnstown, NY

Fulton Montgomery Community College came in at #14 for value in general studies this year. Set in the rural area of Johnstown, Fulton Montgomery Community College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,198, with out-of-state students paying around $6,798. Students borrow a median of $10,999 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Fulton Montgomery Community College generally make around $21,482. Set against $10,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Genesee Community College
Batavia, NY

Genesee Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Batavia, Genesee Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,900, while out-of-state students pay about $6,500. Students borrow a median of $10,064 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,079. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

16

Dutchess Community College
Poughkeepsie, NY

Dutchess Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Dutchess Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. Students from in state pay about $5,670 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,670. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $22,095. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

17

Suny Westchester Community College
Valhalla, NY

Suny Westchester Community College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, while out-of-state students pay about $12,486. General Studies graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Early-career general studies graduates make about $57,520. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.

18

Broome Community College
Binghamton, NY

Broome Community College landed the #18 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the suburb of Binghamton, Broome Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $14,288. General Studies graduates carry a median of $12,000 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Broome Community College earn a median of $23,351 early in their careers. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

Mohawk Valley Community College
Utica, NY

Mohawk Valley Community College landed the #19 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the city of Utica, Mohawk Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,218 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,851. Students borrow a median of $11,100 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,618. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Corning Community College
Corning, NY

Corning Community College landed the #20 spot for general studies value this year. Corning Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Corning. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,534, compared with $10,326 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Corning Community College generally make around $26,679. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #21 position for value in general studies this year. Set in the suburb of Old Westbury, Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,372, while out-of-state students pay about $18,842. Students borrow a median of $24,833 to complete the general studies program here. Soon after graduation, general studies degree recipients from Suny College At Old Westbury generally make around $27,165. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Old Westbury admits about 84% of applicants.

22

Sullivan County Community College
Loch Sheldrake, NY

Sullivan County Community College landed the #22 spot for general studies value this year. Located in the rural area of Loch Sheldrake, Sullivan County Community College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,468 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,132. Typical student debt for general studies graduates is $11,000. Early-career general studies graduates make about $27,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

23

Adirondack Community College
Queensbury, NY

Adirondack Community College landed the #23 spot for general studies value this year. Adirondack Community College is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Queensbury. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,844, while out-of-state students pay about $9,616. General Studies graduates carry a median of $14,075 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Adirondack Community College earn a median of $31,590 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,075 median debt.

24

Jamestown Community College
Jamestown, NY

Jamestown Community College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value general studies schools. Set in the town of Jamestown, Jamestown Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,840 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $9,280 to complete the general studies program here. Early-career general studies graduates make about $23,757. Set against $9,280 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Clinton Community College
Plattsburgh, NY

Clinton Community College landed the #25 spot for general studies value this year. Set in the town of Plattsburgh, Clinton Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,831. General Studies graduates carry a median of $11,521 in student loans. General Studies graduates of Clinton Community College earn a median of $25,319 early in their careers. Set against $11,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.