2026 Best Graduate Degrees Schools in New York
Looking for the best Graduate Degrees degree programs in New York? We have ranked 408 institutions by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 291 schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in New York
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Cornell University earned the #1 spot in this year's ranking in New York. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Cornell University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. More on Cornell University
A rank of #2 makes Teachers College At Columbia University one of the top choices in New York. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Read more about Teachers College At Columbia University
A rank of #3 makes Cuny Graduate School And University Center one of the top choices in New York. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Graduate School And University Center is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,235, while out-of-state students pay about $15,185. Graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #4 on this year's Graduate Degrees ranking in New York. Based in New York, NY, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Columbia University In The City Of New York
A rank of #5 makes The College Of Saint Rose one of the top choices in New York. The College Of Saint Rose is a private not-for-profit school based in Albany, NY. Graduates carry a median of $25,722 in student loans. Get the full The College Of Saint Rose report
New York University did well this year, earning the #6 position. Based in New York, NY, New York University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,796. Graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Read the full report on New York University
Ithaca College did well this year, earning the #7 position. Located in Ithaca, NY, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. Ithaca College posts a six-year graduation rate of 76%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,517. Get the full Ithaca College report
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute landed the #8 spot in New York this year. Located in Troy, NY, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $64,078 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,975. Get the full Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute report
Wagner College landed the #9 spot in New York this year. Wagner College is a private not-for-profit school based in Staten Island, NY. About 65% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $53,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,997 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Wagner College
University Of Rochester ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, NY. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $67,080. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $21,517. More on University Of Rochester
Syracuse University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Syracuse, NY. About 84% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Graduates carry a median of $26,130 in student loans. Read the full report on Syracuse University
Marist College did well this year, earning the #12 position. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, Marist College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Read more about Marist College
Clarkson University did well this year, earning the #13 position. Based in Potsdam, NY, Clarkson University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,398. Students borrow a median of $26,566 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Clarkson University profile
Manhattan College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,400. Graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. More on Manhattan College
Rochester Institute Of Technology came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Located in Rochester, NY, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,491 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Rochester Institute Of Technology report
Saint John Fisher College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Rochester, NY, Saint John Fisher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $41,190 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,086 in student loans. Get the full Saint John Fisher College report
Fordham University came in at #17 in this year's ranking. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,643. Read the full report on Fordham University
Manhattanville College did well this year, earning the #18 position. Manhattanville College is a private not-for-profit school based in Purchase, NY. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $44,604. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,372. Read the full report on Manhattanville College
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry did well this year, earning the #19 position. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public school based in Syracuse, NY. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Get the full Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry report
Cuny Hunter College came in at #20 in this year's ranking. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Cuny Hunter College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $11,091 in debt. More on Cuny Hunter College
Suny College At Oneonta ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Oneonta, NY, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,831, with out-of-state students paying around $19,781. Students borrow a median of $22,046 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Suny College At Oneonta report
Yeshiva University landed the #22 spot in New York this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in New York, NY. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,800. Yeshiva University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $20,625 in debt. See the full Yeshiva University profile
Molloy College landed the #23 spot in New York this year. Located in Rockville Centre, NY, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. Molloy College graduates 70% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,790. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,420. Get the full Molloy College report
Excelsior College landed the #24 spot in New York this year. Based in Albany, NY, Excelsior College is a private not-for-profit institution. Excelsior College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $19,311 in debt. More on Excelsior College
Le Moyne College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Le Moyne College is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. Le Moyne College posts a six-year graduation rate of 73%. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,330. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Get the full Le Moyne College report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in New York
These schools also placed among the very best this year:
Daemen College ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Amherst, NY, Daemen College is a private not-for-profit institution. About 59% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,358. See the full Daemen College profile
Suny College At Cortland landed the #27 spot in New York this year. This public school is set in Cortland, NY. Suny College At Cortland posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Students from in state pay about $8,874 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Students borrow a median of $25,369 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. More on Suny College At Cortland
Suny At Binghamton ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Vestal, NY, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Read the full report on Suny At Binghamton
Nazareth College did well this year, earning the #29 position. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. Nazareth College graduates 73% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,185. Read more about Nazareth College
Stony Brook University landed the #30 spot in New York this year. Set in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. See the full Stony Brook University profile
Cuny City College did well this year, earning the #31 position. Cuny City College is a public school based in New York, NY. About 57% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,340, with out-of-state students paying around $15,290. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $13,389. Read more about Cuny City College
The Sage Colleges came in at #32 in this year's ranking. Based in Troy, NY, The Sage Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,164. Students borrow a median of $26,702 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on The Sage Colleges
Canisius College landed the #33 spot in New York this year. Located in Buffalo, NY, Canisius College is a private not-for-profit institution. Canisius College posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,200. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,673. Read more about Canisius College
Saint Bonaventure University placed #34 among Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Saint Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Bonaventure, NY. About 67% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,735. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Saint Bonaventure University
Dyouville College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Located in Buffalo, NY, Dyouville College is a private not-for-profit institution. Dyouville College posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees average $34,940. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $30,232. Get the full Dyouville College report
Hofstra University landed the #36 spot in New York this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Hempstead, NY. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $57,660 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,848. More on Hofstra University
Adelphi University did well this year, earning the #37 position. Set in Garden City, NY, Adelphi University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 67% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $48,775 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,487 in student loans. Get the full Adelphi University report
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public school based in New York, NY. Roughly 72% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,464, while out-of-state students pay about $15,414. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $11,691 in debt. Read more about Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Cuny Queens College did well this year, earning the #39 position. Located in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. Cuny Queens College posts a six-year graduation rate of 53%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,538, compared with $15,488 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $12,157 in student loans. Read more about Cuny Queens College
Cuny Lehman College placed #40 among Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Cuny Lehman College is a public school based in Bronx, NY. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,410, while out-of-state students pay about $15,360. Students borrow a median of $13,213 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. See the full Cuny Lehman College profile
Long Island University C W Post Campus ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Brookville, NY, Long Island University C W Post Campus is a private not-for-profit institution. Long Island University C W Post Campus graduates 55% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,432. Graduates carry a median of $25,211 in student loans. Read more about Long Island University C W Post Campus
Utica College came in at #42 in this year's ranking. Set in Utica, NY, Utica College is a private not-for-profit institution. Utica College graduates 56% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $26,930. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $27,237. Read the full report on Utica College
St Johns University New York came in at #43 in this year's ranking. St Johns University New York is a private not-for-profit school based in Queens, NY. St Johns University New York posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees average $53,529. St Johns University New York Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $25,521 in debt. Get the full St Johns University New York report
Cuny Brooklyn College did well this year, earning the #44 position. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $13,303. Read more about Cuny Brooklyn College
Alfred University came in at #45 in this year's ranking. Located in Alfred, NY, Alfred University is a private not-for-profit institution. Alfred University graduates 57% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,138. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $25,706. See the full Alfred University profile
Touro College did well this year, earning the #46 position. Touro College is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Read the full report on Touro College
Saint Josephs College New York placed #47 among Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Get the full Saint Josephs College New York report
Suny At Fredonia landed the #48 spot in New York this year. This public school is set in Fredonia, NY. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,831, compared with $19,771 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $25,806 in student loans. Get the full Suny At Fredonia report
Mount Saint Mary College landed the #49 spot in New York this year. Located in Newburgh, NY, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount Saint Mary College posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,450. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,500. Get the full Mount Saint Mary College report
Niagara University did well this year, earning the #50 position. Located in Niagara University, NY, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. Niagara University graduates 74% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,208. Read more about Niagara University
More Graduate Degrees Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: State · 291 schools evaluated. *Averages shown above reflect the top 408 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).