2026 Best Value Social Sciences Schools in New York

1

Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among social sciences 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. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,340. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $33,317. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Lehman College
Bronx, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Lehman College earned it the #2 place for social sciences. Cuny Lehman College is a large public school located in the city of Bronx. In-state tuition and fees average $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $12,757 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Lehman College earn a median of $41,771 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,757 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.

3

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
New York, NY

Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $15,420. Students borrow a median of $13,212 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice generally make around $35,522. Set against $13,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.

4

Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
New York, NY

Students looking for strong value in social sciences will find it at Cuny Bernard M Baruch College, which ranked #4. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,464 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Students borrow a median of $11,857 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Bernard M Baruch College generally make around $44,013. That is a strong return on a $11,857 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for social sciences. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $16,274. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $32,073 early in their careers. Set against $16,274 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

6

Cuny Queens College
Queens, NY

Cuny Queens College earned the #6 position for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Queens, Cuny Queens College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,415 in student loans. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $36,033. Set against $12,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.

7

Cuny City College
New York, NY

Cuny City College placed #7 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,841 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $39,831. Set against $9,841 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.

8

Cuny York College
Jamaica, NY

Cuny York College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of Jamaica, Cuny York College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,358, compared with $15,308 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,650 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Cuny York College earn a median of $41,596 early in their careers. Set against $14,650 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 64% of applicants are accepted.

9

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $8,050. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College generally make around $16,893. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #10 for value in social sciences 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, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,919 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $39,469. That is a strong return on a $14,919 median debt. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

11

Suffolk County Community College
Selden, NY

Suffolk County Community College came in at #11 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Selden, Suffolk County Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,630, with out-of-state students paying around $12,460. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,246. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suffolk County Community College generally make around $35,667. Set against $11,246 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Farmingdale State College
Farmingdale, NY

Farmingdale State College landed the #12 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Farmingdale, Farmingdale State College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,626, compared with $18,536 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,528 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Farmingdale State College generally make around $50,374. Set against $19,528 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.

13

Suny College At Old Westbury
Old Westbury, NY

Suny College At Old Westbury earned the #13 position for value in social sciences this year. Suny College At Old Westbury is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Old Westbury. In-state tuition and fees average $8,372, compared with $18,842 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $22,549. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $35,898. That is a strong return on a $22,549 median debt. The acceptance rate is 84%.

14

Erie Community College
Buffalo, NY

Erie Community College earned the #14 position for value in social sciences this year. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $6,100, compared with $11,300 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,580 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.

15

Suny Empire State College
Saratoga Springs, NY

Suny Empire State College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value social sciences schools. Suny Empire State College is a large public school located in the suburb of Saratoga Springs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,648, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,693 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny Empire State College generally make around $58,140. Set against $23,693 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

16

Rockland Community College
Suffern, NY

Rockland Community College earned the #16 position for value in social sciences this year. Rockland Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Suffern. Students from in state pay about $6,862 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $11,167. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Rockland Community College generally make around $41,799. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

Suny College Of Technology At Canton
Canton, NY

Suny College Of Technology At Canton came in at #17 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Canton, Suny College Of Technology At Canton is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,742 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,769. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $23,640. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $46,515. Set against $23,640 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College Of Technology At Canton admits about 92% of applicants.

18

Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NY

Mercy College earned the #18 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Dobbs Ferry, Mercy College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $22,880. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,978 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of Mercy College earn a median of $36,726 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

19

Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo landed the #19 spot for social sciences value this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,017 to complete the social sciences program here. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $31,067. Set against $20,017 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

20

Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #20 among the best values for social sciences. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,364 to complete the social sciences program here. Early-career social sciences graduates make about $39,401. Set against $20,364 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

21

Suny College At Plattsburgh
Plattsburgh, NY

Suny College At Plattsburgh landed the #21 spot for social sciences value this year. Located in the town of Plattsburgh, Suny College At Plattsburgh is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,035, compared with $18,945 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,762 to complete the social sciences program here. Social Sciences graduates of Suny College At Plattsburgh earn a median of $38,838 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,762 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

22

Suny College At Potsdam
Potsdam, NY

Suny College At Potsdam came in at #22 for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of Potsdam, Suny College At Potsdam is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,768, compared with $18,678 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Potsdam generally make around $36,500. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

23

Suny College At Buffalo
Buffalo, NY

Suny College At Buffalo came in at #23 for value in social sciences this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, compared with $19,653 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for social sciences graduates is $26,284. Social Sciences graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $36,419 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.

24

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

State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #24 position for value in social sciences this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,701 in student loans. Social Sciences graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $29,253 early in their careers. Set against $18,701 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.

25

Suny College At Brockport
Brockport, NY

Suny College At Brockport placed #25 among the best values for social sciences. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,752, compared with $15,822 for out-of-state students. Social Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,013 in student loans. Soon after graduation, social sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Brockport generally make around $25,978. Set against $25,013 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Brockport admits about 71% of applicants.