2026 Best Value Liberal Arts Schools in New York

1

Cuny City College
New York, NY

For return on investment in liberal arts, no school beat Cuny City College this year. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,340, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $12,985 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $43,059. That is a strong return on a $12,985 median debt. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

2

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in liberal arts, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $54,729. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

3

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Suffolk County Community College, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,000. Liberal Arts graduates of Suffolk County Community College earn a median of $26,874 early in their careers. Set against $8,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Cuny Bronx Community College, which ranked #4. 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. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $26,251. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

5

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Students looking for strong value in liberal arts will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #5. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $11,498 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Cuny College Of Staten Island earn a median of $24,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,498 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

6

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #6 among the best values for liberal arts. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,090. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,450 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $19,582. Set against $8,450 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

7

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #7 spot for liberal arts value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,170 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $8,057. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $23,669. Set against $8,057 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8

Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Kingsborough Community College came in at #8 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Kingsborough Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,252, with out-of-state students paying around $8,132. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,115 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Cuny Kingsborough Community College generally make around $27,831. That is a strong return on a $8,115 median debt.

9

Nassau Community College
Garden City, NY

Nassau Community College earned the #9 position for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Nassau Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,330, compared with $12,130 for out-of-state students. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $9,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, liberal arts degree recipients from Nassau Community College generally make around $27,510. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt.

10

Cuny Hostos Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Hostos Community College came in at #10 for value in liberal arts this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Hostos Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,254, compared with $8,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,549 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

11

Ulster County Community College
Stone Ridge, NY

Ulster County Community College landed the #11 spot for liberal arts value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $12,146. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $24,015. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

12

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #12 for value in liberal arts this year. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,144. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $18,360. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.

13

Hudson Valley Community College
Troy, NY

Hudson Valley Community College placed #13 among the best values for liberal arts. Hudson Valley Community College is a large public school located in the city of Troy. Students from in state pay about $6,796 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,852. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $10,046 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Hudson Valley Community College earn a median of $43,989 early in their careers. Set against $10,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $5,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $21,713 early in their careers. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, while out-of-state students pay about $15,302. Students borrow a median of $10,343 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $31,335. Set against $10,343 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

16

Schenectady County Community College
Schenectady, NY

Schenectady County Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the city of Schenectady, Schenectady County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,190, with out-of-state students paying around $8,974. Median earnings reach $40,902 ten years out.

17

Monroe Community College
Rochester, NY

Monroe Community College landed the #17 spot for liberal arts value this year. Monroe Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rochester. In-state tuition and fees average $6,006, with out-of-state students paying around $11,056. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $38,757. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College
New York, NY

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earned the #18 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,194 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,074. Liberal Arts graduates of Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earn a median of $21,272 early in their careers.

19

Columbia Greene Community College
Hudson, NY

Columbia Greene Community College came in at #19 for value in liberal arts 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, while out-of-state students pay about $11,448. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Columbia Greene Community College earn a median of $28,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

Erie Community College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,090 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Erie Community College earn a median of $37,069 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,090 median debt.

21

Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY

Orange County Community College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value liberal arts schools. Located in the suburb of Middletown, Orange County Community College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,526, while out-of-state students pay about $12,334. Students borrow a median of $10,625 to complete the liberal arts program here. Liberal Arts graduates of Orange County Community College earn a median of $20,630 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Suny Westchester Community College
Valhalla, NY

Suny Westchester Community College earned the #22 position for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the suburb of Valhalla, Suny Westchester Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,948, with out-of-state students paying around $12,486. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,764 in student loans. Liberal Arts graduates of Suny Westchester Community College earn a median of $30,417 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,764 median debt.

23

Onondaga Community College
Syracuse, NY

Onondaga Community College landed the #23 spot for liberal arts value this year. Onondaga Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,102, compared with $11,392 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $10,950. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $22,966. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

Rockland Community College
Suffern, NY

Rockland Community College earned the #24 position for value in liberal arts this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,862. Liberal Arts graduates carry a median of $8,390 in student loans. Early-career liberal arts graduates make about $21,840. That is a strong return on a $8,390 median debt.

25

Niagara County Community College
Sanborn, NY

Niagara County Community College came in at #25 for value in liberal arts this year. Set in the rural area of Sanborn, Niagara County Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,894 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,030. Typical student debt for liberal arts graduates is $11,500. Liberal Arts graduates of Niagara County Community College earn a median of $22,942 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.