2026 Best Value Value Schools in New York
[Value](/majors/protective-security-safety-services/security-science-and-technology/forensic-science-and-technology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong value education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in New York
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in value, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Value Schools
For return on investment in value, no school beat Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $14,475 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $57,403. That is a strong return on a $14,475 median debt. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice admits about 57% of applicants.
Farmingdale State College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $38,789. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Herkimer County Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Located in the town of Herkimer, Herkimer County Community College is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776. Typical student debt for value graduates is $12,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Herkimer County Community College generally make around $31,468. Set against $12,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a great value for students pursuing a degree in value, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Alfred, Suny College Of Technology At Alfred is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,892 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,837 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for value graduates is $19,721. Value graduates of Suny College Of Technology At Alfred earn a median of $43,831 early in their careers. Set against $19,721 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes Suny At Binghamton one of the best values for value. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Hilbert College earned the #6 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Hamburg, Hilbert College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $33,740 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Hilbert College generally make around $32,374. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value value schools. Long Island University C W Post Campus is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Brookville. In-state tuition and fees average $42,432. Value graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Early-career value graduates make about $61,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Pace University New York came in at #8 for value in value this year. Pace University New York is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $53,510 in tuition and fees. Value graduates carry a median of $25,670 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Pace University New York generally make around $58,863. That is a strong return on a $25,670 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Hofstra University earned the #9 position for value in value this year. Located in the suburb of Hempstead, Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete the value program here. Early-career value graduates make about $38,773. Set against $24,848 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University landed the #10 spot for value value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the value program here. Value graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $41,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
