2026 Best Value Economics Schools in New York

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in economics in New York. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Economics graduates carry a median of $14,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $34,580. Set against $14,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.

2

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Bernard M Baruch College one of the best values for economics. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,414. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $11,758. Early-career economics graduates make about $51,728. Set against $11,758 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 48%.

3

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in economics will find it at Cuny Brooklyn College, which ranked #3. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,303. Early-career economics graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a great value for students pursuing a degree in economics, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Economics graduates carry a median of $11,750 in student loans. Economics graduates of Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice earn a median of $33,709 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,750 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny City College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #5 place for economics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. 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 economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $45,556. That is a strong return on a $7,300 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

6

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Lehman College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Lehman College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, compared with $15,360 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $13,213. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,258. Set against $13,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

7

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College came in at #7 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Cuny Queens College earn a median of $39,377 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%.

8

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. 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 economics graduates is $8,794. Economics graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $30,111 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,794 median debt.

9

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Farmingdale State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Farmingdale. Students from in state pay about $8,626 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,536. Students borrow a median of $19,528 to complete the economics program here. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

10

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #10 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Economics graduates carry a median of $16,520 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $43,227. Set against $16,520 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.

11

Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo landed the #11 spot for economics value this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Students borrow a median of $20,824 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $48,691. That is a strong return on a $20,824 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

12

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University came in at #12 for value in economics this year. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Economics graduates carry a median of $21,550 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $44,349. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 49%.

13

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

Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #13 for value in economics 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 $25,000 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $83,135 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

14

State University Of New York At New Paltz
New Paltz, NY

State University Of New York At New Paltz placed #14 among the best values for economics. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $21,530. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $47,363. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 62%.

15

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo earned the #15 position for value in economics this year. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Economics graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, economics degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $41,547. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

16

Canisius College
Buffalo, NY

Canisius College earned the #16 position for value in economics this year. Canisius College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $34,200. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the economics program here. Early-career economics graduates make about $55,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

17

Suny At Albany
Albany, NY

Suny At Albany landed the #17 spot for economics value this year. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $24,474. Economics graduates of Suny At Albany earn a median of $37,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,474 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.

18

University At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

University At Buffalo landed the #18 spot for economics value this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Economics graduates carry a median of $20,225 in student loans. Economics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $40,078 early in their careers. Set against $20,225 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

19

Suny At Binghamton
Vestal, NY

Suny At Binghamton placed #19 among the best values for economics. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,919 in student loans. Economics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,502 early in their careers. Set against $19,919 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

20

St Francis College
Brooklyn, NY

St Francis College earned the #20 position for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, St Francis College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $28,775. Students borrow a median of $24,966 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of St Francis College earn a median of $40,678 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,966 median debt.

21

St Johns University New York
Queens, NY

St Johns University New York came in at #21 for value in economics this year. Set in the city of Queens, St Johns University New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. Economics graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Economics graduates of St Johns University New York earn a median of $45,301 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.

22

Hamilton College
Clinton, NY

Hamilton College landed the #22 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,960. Students borrow a median of $18,250 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $71,350 early in their careers. Set against $18,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

23

Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University came in at #23 for value in economics this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the economics program here. Economics graduates of Colgate University earn a median of $77,274 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.

24

Adelphi University
Garden City, NY

Adelphi University landed the #24 spot for economics value this year. Located in the suburb of Garden City, Adelphi University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $48,775. Typical student debt for economics graduates is $25,487. Economics graduates of Adelphi University earn a median of $51,037 early in their careers. Set against $25,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Adelphi University admits about 66% of applicants.

25

University Of Rochester
Rochester, NY

University Of Rochester ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value economics schools. Set in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Economics graduates carry a median of $19,946 in student loans. Early-career economics graduates make about $63,475. That is a strong return on a $19,946 median debt. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.