2026 Best Value Value Schools in New York
[Value](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/fine-and-studio-arts/metal-arts/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 2 schools to find the best return on investment for value students.
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2026 Best Value Value Schools in New York
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the value degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Value Schools
Leading the list is Suny College At Buffalo, our #1 best value for value in New York. Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $8,533 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Typical student debt for value graduates is $23,000. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from Suny College At Buffalo generally make around $24,041. Set against $23,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in value will find it at State University Of New York At New Paltz, which ranked #2. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Value graduates carry a median of $23,562 in student loans. Soon after graduation, value degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $18,842. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
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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 · 2 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
