2026 Best Value Graduate Degrees Schools in New York
Looking for the best-value Graduate Degrees degree programs in New York? We have ranked 408 institutions by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To help you make your decision, Grad Degree reviewed 74 schools to produce this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in New York
Explore the best-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat Cuny Graduate School And University Center this year 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. Cuny Graduate School And University Center alumni report median earnings of $65,991 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $17,921 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted. See the full Cuny Graduate School And University Center profile
A rank of #2 makes Cuny Hunter College one of the best values in New York. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Hunter College is a public institution. 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. Median earnings reach $63,163 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted. More on Cuny Hunter College
A rank of #3 makes The College Of Saint Rose one of the best values 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Get the full The College Of Saint Rose report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny City College earned it the #4 place in New York. Cuny City College is a public school based in New York, NY. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $66,039 ten years after entry. Set against $13,389 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 60% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Cuny City College
You'll get strong value at Suny College At Oneonta, which ranked #5 this year. Located in Oneonta, NY, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. 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. Suny College At Oneonta alumni report median earnings of $60,386 a decade after entry. Set against $22,046 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 70% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Suny College At Oneonta report
Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry is a public school based in Syracuse, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $9,303, while out-of-state students pay about $22,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,763 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 63%. Get the full Suny College Of Environmental Science And Forestry report
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College placed #7 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Cuny Bernard M Baruch College is a public school based in New York, NY. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $75,971. That is a strong return on a $11,691 median debt. Roughly 48% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Cuny Bernard M Baruch College
Cuny Brooklyn College offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. 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. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,752. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%. Read more about Cuny Brooklyn College
Cuny Lehman College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Cuny Lehman College is a public school based in Bronx, NY. 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. Cuny Lehman College alumni report median earnings of $58,013 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%. See the full Cuny Lehman College profile
Cuny Queens College offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Located in Queens, NY, Cuny Queens College is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,763. That is a strong return on a $12,157 median debt. The acceptance rate is 64%. Read more about Cuny Queens College
Marist College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Poughkeepsie, NY, Marist College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $47,620. Graduates carry a median of $25,962 in student loans. Marist College alumni report median earnings of $77,819 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,962 median debt. Marist College has an acceptance rate of 56%. Read more about Marist College
Suny College At Cortland landed the #12 spot for value in New York this year. This public school is set in Cortland, NY. 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. Suny College At Cortland alumni report median earnings of $60,236 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants. More on Suny College At Cortland
Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice placed #13 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice is a public school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,470, compared with $15,420 for out-of-state students. Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $12,678 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,195. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%. Read more about Cuny John Jay College Of Criminal Justice
The Sage Colleges offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Troy, NY, The Sage Colleges is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $38,164. Students borrow a median of $26,702 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,316. That is a strong return on a $26,702 median debt. About 53% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The Sage Colleges
Suny At Binghamton ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Set in Vestal, NY, Suny At Binghamton is a public institution. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,596 ten years after entry. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Binghamton has an acceptance rate of 39%. Read the full report on Suny At Binghamton
Stony Brook University placed #16 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Set in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. 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. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 49% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Stony Brook University profile
State University Of New York At New Paltz landed the #17 spot for value in New York this year. Based in New Paltz, NY, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,530 in student loans. Median earnings reach $58,073 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,530 median debt. About 62% of those who apply are admitted. See the full State University Of New York At New Paltz profile
Touro College offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. Touro College is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,052. Students borrow a median of $20,285 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Touro College alumni report median earnings of $53,419 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,285 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%. Read the full report on Touro College
Suny College At Brockport placed #19 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. This public school is set in Brockport, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,752, while out-of-state students pay about $15,822. Graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Median earnings reach $54,496 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%. Read the full report on Suny College At Brockport
Suny At Fredonia landed the #20 spot for value in New York this year. This public school is set in Fredonia, NY. 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. Suny At Fredonia alumni report median earnings of $54,247 a decade after entry. Set against $25,806 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Suny At Fredonia report
Suny College At Plattsburgh came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Suny College At Plattsburgh is a public school based in Plattsburgh, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,035, while out-of-state students pay about $18,945. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,217. Suny College At Plattsburgh alumni report median earnings of $56,403 a decade after entry. Set against $24,217 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Plattsburgh admits about 78% of applicants. See the full Suny College At Plattsburgh profile
Cornell University placed #22 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Cornell University Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Median earnings reach $104,043 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University has an acceptance rate of 9%. More on Cornell University
Suny College At Oswego came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Oswego, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $8,825, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,163 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Suny College At Oswego alumni report median earnings of $57,566 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego has an acceptance rate of 80%. Get the full Suny College At Oswego report
Suny At Albany came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Albany, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Suny At Albany alumni report median earnings of $67,979 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. About 69% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Suny At Albany
Niagara University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Niagara University, NY, Niagara University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $39,345. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,208. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,196. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Niagara University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Graduate Degrees Degree Schools in New York
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome landed the #25 spot for value in New York this year. Set in Utica, NY, Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,625, while out-of-state students pay about $21,215. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $21,056. Median earnings reach $64,355 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Suny Institute Of Technology At Utica Rome
Saint Bonaventure University came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Saint Bonaventure University is a private not-for-profit school based in Saint Bonaventure, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $41,735. Students borrow a median of $25,917 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,214. Set against $25,917 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Saint Bonaventure University has an acceptance rate of 82%. Read the full report on Saint Bonaventure University
Manhattanville College landed the #27 spot for value in New York this year. Manhattanville College is a private not-for-profit school based in Purchase, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $44,604. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,372. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,832. Set against $25,372 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read the full report on Manhattanville College
Ithaca College placed #29 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Located in Ithaca, NY, Ithaca College is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $52,616. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $24,517. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,548. Set against $24,517 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%. Get the full Ithaca College report
Saint John Fisher College placed #30 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Located in Rochester, NY, Saint John Fisher College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $41,190 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $25,086 in student loans. Median earnings reach $66,944 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $25,086 median debt. Saint John Fisher College admits about 66% of applicants. Get the full Saint John Fisher College report
Cuny College Of Staten Island ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value Graduate Degrees schools. Based in Staten Island, NY, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, with out-of-state students paying around $15,440. Graduates carry a median of $14,688 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,501. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny College Of Staten Island has an acceptance rate of 92%. Read the full report on Cuny College Of Staten Island
Suny Empire State College landed the #32 spot for value in New York this year. Suny Empire State College is a public school based in Saratoga Springs, NY. Students from in state pay about $7,648 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,558 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,693 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $54,080 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on Suny Empire State College
Suny College At Old Westbury landed the #32 spot for value in New York this year. Located in Old Westbury, NY, Suny College At Old Westbury is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,372, with out-of-state students paying around $18,842. Graduates carry a median of $20,274 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $58,526. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 84% of those who apply are admitted. More on Suny College At Old Westbury
Le Moyne College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Le Moyne College is a private not-for-profit school based in Syracuse, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $40,330. Students borrow a median of $25,739 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,731 ten years after entry. Set against $25,739 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Le Moyne College admits about 83% of applicants. Get the full Le Moyne College report
Canisius College placed #35 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Located in Buffalo, NY, Canisius College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $34,200. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $24,673. Median earnings reach $60,681 ten years out. Set against $24,673 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%. Read more about Canisius College
University At Buffalo came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Based in Buffalo, NY, University At Buffalo is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. University At Buffalo Graduate Degrees students take on a median of $22,232 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $70,814. Set against $22,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%. Get the full University At Buffalo report
Wagner College landed the #37 spot for value in New York this year. Wagner College is a private not-for-profit school based in Staten Island, NY. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $74,360 ten years after entry. Set against $26,997 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. More on Wagner College
Manhattan College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. Set in Riverdale, NY, Manhattan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $53,400. Graduates carry a median of $25,968 in student loans. Median earnings reach $86,316 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 79%. More on Manhattan College
Suny College At Potsdam landed the #39 spot for value in New York this year. This public school is set in Potsdam, NY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,768, with out-of-state students paying around $18,678. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,540. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $47,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Potsdam admits about 78% of applicants. Read the full report on Suny College At Potsdam
Excelsior College offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. 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. Median earnings reach $78,493 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $19,311 median debt. More on Excelsior College
Suny College At Buffalo offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Buffalo, NY, Suny College At Buffalo is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,533, with out-of-state students paying around $19,653. Students borrow a median of $25,257 to complete their Graduate Degrees program here. Median earnings reach $52,334 ten years out. Set against $25,257 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Buffalo admits about 73% of applicants. Read the full report on Suny College At Buffalo
Teachers College At Columbia University landed the #41 spot for value in New York this year. Teachers College At Columbia University is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Median earnings reach $73,294 ten years out. Read more about Teachers College At Columbia University
Nazareth College landed the #43 spot for value in New York this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $42,210. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $26,185. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,458 ten years after entry. Set against $26,185 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. Read more about Nazareth College
Mount Saint Mary College landed the #44 spot for value in New York this year. Located in Newburgh, NY, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,450. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $26,500. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $67,705. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Mount Saint Mary College has an acceptance rate of 89%. Get the full Mount Saint Mary College report
Roberts Wesleyan College placed #45 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Based in Rochester, NY, Roberts Wesleyan College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,826. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,034. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,031. That is a strong return on a $28,034 median debt. Roberts Wesleyan College has an acceptance rate of 71%. Get the full Roberts Wesleyan College report
Fordham University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Set in Bronx, NY, Fordham University is a private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,470. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $25,643. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $85,569. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fordham University has an acceptance rate of 59%. Read the full report on Fordham University
Dyouville College placed #47 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Located in Buffalo, NY, Dyouville College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $34,940. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $30,232. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,942. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Dyouville College has an acceptance rate of 81%. Get the full Dyouville College report
Molloy College placed #48 among the best-value Graduate Degrees schools in New York. Located in Rockville Centre, NY, Molloy College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $39,790. Typical Graduate Degrees student debt is $27,420. Graduates go on to earn a median of $77,789 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Molloy College report
Saint Josephs College New York offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Saint Josephs College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $36,550. Graduates carry a median of $25,485 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,905 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,485 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%. Get the full Saint Josephs College New York report
Daemen College offered strong value this year, earning the #51 position. Located in Amherst, NY, Daemen College is a private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $35,218 in tuition and fees. The median Graduate Degrees program debt is $28,358. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,808. Set against $28,358 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Daemen College admits about 68% of applicants. See the full Daemen College profile
More Graduate Degrees Value Rankings
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 Best Colleges For Money · Scope: State · 74 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).
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