2026 Best Value Value Schools in New York

1

Columbia University In The City Of New York
New York, NY

For return on investment in value, no school beat Columbia University In The City Of New York this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,517 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Set against $23,258 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

2

Monroe College Main Campus
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Monroe College Main Campus earned it the #2 place for value. Set in the city of Bronx, Monroe College Main Campus is a large private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,464. Value graduates carry a median of $20,701 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $40,329. That is a strong return on a $20,701 median debt. Monroe College Main Campus admits about 68% of applicants.

3

Utica College
Utica, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utica College earned it the #3 place for value. Located in the city of Utica, Utica College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $26,930. Students borrow a median of $27,237 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Utica College earn a median of $53,602 early in their careers. Set against $27,237 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utica College admits about 92% of applicants.

4

St Lawrence University
Canton, NY

St Lawrence University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Set in the town of Canton, St Lawrence University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,900. Value graduates carry a median of $26,192 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $39,993. Set against $26,192 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

5

Clarkson University
Potsdam, NY

Clarkson University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Potsdam, Clarkson University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,398. Typical student debt for value graduates is $26,566. Value graduates of Clarkson University earn a median of $74,144 early in their careers. Set against $26,566 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.

6

New York University
New York, NY

New York University placed #6 among the best values for value. Set in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Students borrow a median of $21,897 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. That is a strong return on a $21,897 median debt. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.

7

Fordham University
Bronx, NY

Fordham University earned the #7 position for value in value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Fordham University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,470. Value graduates carry a median of $25,643 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $59,403. Set against $25,643 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 59% of applicants are accepted.