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

29 Colleges in the United States
$19,731 Avg Student Debt
$68,635 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Economics Badge [General Economics](/majors/social-sciences/economics/economics-general/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 60 schools to find the best return on investment for general economics students.

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2026 Best Value General Economics Schools in New York

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

Best Value General Economics Schools

1
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among general economics schools in New York. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. General Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $34,580. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. General Economics graduates carry a median of $11,758 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,728. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College admits about 48% of applicants.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $11,750 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $33,709. Set against $11,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5
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Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for general economics. Cuny City College is a large public school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,340, compared with $15,290 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,300 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $45,556. Set against $7,300 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny City College admits about 60% of applicants.

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Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $13,213. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Lehman College generally make around $44,258. That is a strong return on a $13,213 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.

7

Cuny Queens College placed #7 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, while out-of-state students pay about $15,488. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $9,500. Early-career general economics graduates make about $39,377. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Queens College admits about 64% of applicants.

8

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #8 among the best values for general economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $8,794. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $30,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Cuny College Of Staten Island earned the #9 position for value in general economics this year. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $16,520. Early-career general economics graduates make about $43,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

10
Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. General Economics graduates carry a median of $21,550 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,349. That is a strong return on a $21,550 median debt. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.

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State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #11 among the best values for general economics. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $21,530. Early-career general economics graduates make about $47,363. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

12
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Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College placed #12 among the best values for general economics. Set in the city of Buffalo, Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $34,200. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the general economics program here. Early-career general economics graduates make about $55,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

13

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #13 for value in general economics this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $26,000. Early-career general economics graduates make about $41,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

14

Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #14 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $83,135. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

15
Suny At Albany crest
Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Students borrow a median of $24,474 to complete the general economics program here. General Economics graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $44,736 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

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Suny At Binghamton landed the #16 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $19,919. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.

17

University At Buffalo landed the #17 spot for general economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $20,225 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $40,078. That is a strong return on a $20,225 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

18
St Francis College crest
St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY

St Francis College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $28,775. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $24,966. General Economics graduates of St Francis College earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

St Johns University New York ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Located in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $53,529 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from St Johns University New York generally make around $45,301. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. St Johns University New York admits about 83% of applicants.

20
Adelphi University crest
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University earned the #20 position for value in general economics this year. Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Garden City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $48,775. General Economics graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $51,037. Set against $25,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.

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Cornell University earned the #21 position for value in general economics this year. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Typical student debt for general economics graduates is $15,500. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Cornell University generally make around $75,976. That is a strong return on a $15,500 median debt. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.

22

St Lawrence University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics 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. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from St Lawrence University generally make around $57,829. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

23
Bard College crest
Bard College
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY

Bard College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value general economics schools. Bard College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of Annandale-On-Hudson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,436. General Economics graduates carry a median of $26,402 in student loans. Early-career general economics graduates make about $35,861. That is a strong return on a $26,402 median debt. Bard College admits about 52% of applicants.

24
Siena College crest
Siena College
Loudonville, NY

Siena College placed #24 among the best values for general economics. Located in the suburb of Loudonville, Siena College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $45,805. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general economics program here. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Siena College generally make around $54,328. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.

25
Skidmore College crest
Skidmore College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Skidmore College came in at #25 for value in general economics this year. Located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs, Skidmore College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,140. General Economics graduates carry a median of $18,274 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general economics degree recipients from Skidmore College generally make around $34,440. That is a strong return on a $18,274 median debt. Skidmore College admits about 21% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 31 Best Value General Economics Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s general economics value ranking:

26
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
27
Union College New York crest
Union College New York
Schenectady, NY
28
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
29
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Barnard College
New York, NY
30
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Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
31
The New School crest
The New School
New York, NY

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 60 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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