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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in New York

2 Colleges in the United States
$21,418 Avg Student Debt
$68,381 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Applied Economics Badge [Applied Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/applied-economics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 5 schools to find the best return on investment for applied economics students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Applied Economics Schools in New York

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in applied economics, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Applied Economics Schools

1

Our analysis ranked Farmingdale State College the best value for a degree in applied economics in New York. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,626, with out-of-state students paying around $18,536. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $19,528 in student loans. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $50,374. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Farmingdale State College admits about 63% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in applied economics will find it at Suny College At Buffalo, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $41,547. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.

3

Students looking for strong value in applied economics will find it at University At Buffalo, which ranked #3. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Applied Economics graduates carry a median of $20,225 in student loans. Soon after graduation, applied economics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $52,403. That is a strong return on a $20,225 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

4

Students looking for strong value in applied economics will find it at Suny At Binghamton, which ranked #4. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for applied economics graduates is $19,919. Early-career applied economics graduates make about $51,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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