# Best Bachelor's Programs in New York

> CollegeRanker Agent Insights — structured data for AI systems
> Updated: 2026-05-31 | Schools: 50 | Category: By State
> Source: https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-new-york

## Methodology

Bachelor's programs in New York ranked by outcomes and mobility

CollegeRanker uses a 4-pillar algorithm: Academic Quality (15-20%), Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25-35%), Value & Affordability (20-25%). Social mobility data from Raj Chetty's Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (30M+ anonymized tax records). No subjective surveys.

## Summary

When considering a bachelor's degree in New York, students are faced with a diverse range of options that promise not only education but also strong future earnings and job prospects. With average earnings for graduates from these programs sitting at $71,887, the potential for a solid return on investment is significant. Families weighing these choices need to carefully consider the outcomes that will shape their students' futures.

The best programs in this list shine in key areas such as graduation rates, mobility, debt levels, and, importantly, post-graduation earnings. For instance, institutions like Cornell University and Columbia University demonstrate high graduation rates and impressive average earnings, highlighting how a degree from these schools can lead to substantial career opportunities. The list below outlines schools ranked by these vital metrics, giving families a clear view of what they might expect.

Take Cornell University, with an average earnings figure of $104,043 and a graduation rate of 95%. In contrast, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College reports earnings of $75,971 and a 72% graduation rate. While both provide valuable educational experiences, the differences in financial outcomes and completion rates can guide students in their decision-making process.

## Key Findings

- Cornell University graduates earn an average of $104,043, the highest on this list.
- CUNY Bernard M Baruch College has a net price of just $3,033, making it a more affordable option.
- Columbia University has a 96% graduation rate, reflecting strong student support.
- The average graduation rate across these top schools is 69%, indicating varying levels of student success.

## Rankings

| Rank | School | Location | Graduation | Earnings (10yr) | Net Price | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|------|--------|----------|------------|-----------------|-----------|-------------|---------------|
| 1 | [Cornell University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cornell-university) | Ithaca, NY | 95% | $104,043 | $28,690 | $14,000 | 0.13x |
| 2 | [CUNY Bernard M Baruch College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-bernard-m-baruch-college) | New York, NY | 72% | $75,971 | $3,033 | $11,512 | 0.15x |
| 3 | [Columbia University in the City of New York](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york) | New York, NY | 96% | $102,491 | $21,590 | $21,500 | 0.21x |
| 4 | [Colgate University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/colgate-university) | Hamilton, NY | 91% | $85,139 | $28,786 | $15,000 | 0.18x |
| 5 | [CUNY Hunter College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-hunter-college) | New York, NY | 59% | $63,163 | $2,984 | $11,000 | 0.17x |
| 6 | [CUNY Queens College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-queens-college) | Queens, NY | 56% | $62,763 | $4,195 | $10,298 | 0.16x |
| 7 | [The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/the-cooper-union-for-the-advancement-of-science-and-art) | New York, NY | 81% | $83,847 | $13,269 | $15,000 | 0.18x |
| 8 | [CUNY Brooklyn College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-brooklyn-college) | Brooklyn, NY | 55% | $60,752 | $3,103 | $11,000 | 0.18x |
| 9 | [Barnard College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/barnard-college) | New York, NY | 93% | $80,516 | $28,800 | $18,000 | 0.22x |
| 10 | [CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-john-jay-college-of-criminal-justice) | New York, NY | 56% | $56,195 | $3,203 | $11,000 | 0.2x |
| 11 | [Hamilton College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hamilton-college) | Clinton, NY | 91% | $78,411 | $28,985 | $17,000 | 0.22x |
| 12 | [Binghamton University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/binghamton-university) | Vestal, NY | 83% | $80,596 | $21,620 | $18,500 | 0.23x |
| 13 | [CUNY Lehman College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-lehman-college) | Bronx, NY | 50% | $58,013 | $3,148 | $10,950 | 0.19x |
| 14 | [SUNY Maritime College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-maritime-college) | Throggs Neck, NY | 70% | $95,951 | $22,367 | $23,250 | 0.24x |
| 15 | [United States Merchant Marine Academy](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/united-states-merchant-marine-academy) | Kings Point, NY | 81% | $90,610 | $6,174 | $8,833 | 0.1x |
| 16 | [New York University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-york-university) | New York, NY | 88% | $82,509 | $37,050 | $20,500 | 0.25x |
| 17 | [University of Rochester](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/university-of-rochester) | Rochester, NY | 85% | $79,042 | $29,278 | $21,000 | 0.27x |
| 18 | [CUNY York College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-york-college) | Jamaica, NY | 31% | $56,945 | $4,456 | $11,000 | 0.19x |
| 19 | [Skidmore College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/skidmore-college) | Saratoga Springs, NY | 82% | $69,363 | $32,297 | $19,500 | 0.28x |
| 20 | [Vassar College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/vassar-college) | Poughkeepsie, NY | 90% | $71,366 | $39,343 | $18,625 | 0.26x |
| 21 | [CUNY City College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-city-college) | New York, NY | 56% | $66,039 | $3,776 | $11,990 | 0.18x |
| 22 | [SUNY College at Geneseo](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-college-at-geneseo) | Geneseo, NY | 72% | $67,316 | $18,211 | $19,500 | 0.29x |
| 23 | [Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/rensselaer-polytechnic-institute) | Troy, NY | 83% | $102,051 | $36,228 | $23,750 | 0.23x |
| 24 | [Boricua College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/boricua-college) | New York, NY | 74% | $35,348 | $15,245 | $6,733 | 0.19x |
| 25 | [Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/albany-college-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences) | Albany, NY | 68% | $131,426 | $29,882 | $25,500 | 0.19x |
| 26 | [State University of New York at New Paltz](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/state-university-of-new-york-at-new-paltz) | New Paltz, NY | 70% | $58,073 | $18,809 | $18,750 | 0.32x |
| 27 | [Niagara University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/niagara-university) | Niagara University, NY | 72% | $56,196 | $17,248 | $25,475 | 0.45x |
| 28 | [SUNY Old Westbury](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-old-westbury) | Old Westbury, NY | 46% | $58,526 | $11,282 | $14,997 | 0.26x |
| 29 | [State University of New York at Plattsburgh](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/state-university-of-new-york-at-plattsburgh) | Plattsburgh, NY | 59% | $56,403 | $17,156 | $21,196 | 0.38x |
| 30 | [SUNY Oneonta](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-oneonta) | Oneonta, NY | 70% | $60,386 | $19,158 | $19,812 | 0.33x |
| 31 | [Canisius University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/canisius-university) | Buffalo, NY | 69% | $60,681 | $17,940 | $24,250 | 0.4x |
| 32 | [Wagner College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/wagner-college) | Staten Island, NY | 67% | $74,360 | $28,241 | $25,000 | 0.34x |
| 33 | [Clarkson University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/clarkson-university) | Potsdam, NY | 74% | $89,696 | $30,305 | $26,000 | 0.29x |
| 34 | [Yeshiva University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/yeshiva-university) | New York, NY | 83% | $71,353 | $49,965 | $18,250 | 0.26x |
| 35 | [Fordham University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/fordham-university) | Bronx, NY | 81% | $85,569 | $44,338 | $24,300 | 0.28x |
| 36 | [St Lawrence University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/st-lawrence-university) | Canton, NY | 79% | $67,258 | $28,651 | $27,000 | 0.4x |
| 37 | [CUNY Medgar Evers College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/cuny-medgar-evers-college) | Brooklyn, NY | 21% | $46,498 | $5,718 | $10,988 | 0.24x |
| 38 | [Farmingdale State College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/farmingdale-state-college) | Farmingdale, NY | 55% | $69,781 | $10,867 | $14,718 | 0.21x |
| 39 | [Hobart William Smith Colleges](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/hobart-william-smith-colleges) | Geneva, NY | 75% | $68,831 | $31,563 | $27,000 | 0.39x |
| 40 | [Stony Brook University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/stony-brook-university) | Stony Brook, NY | 77% | $74,502 | $18,784 | $18,228 | 0.24x |
| 41 | [New York Institute of Technology](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/new-york-institute-of-technology) | Old Westbury, NY | 58% | $70,080 | $22,443 | $23,334 | 0.33x |
| 42 | [Pace University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/pace-university) | New York, NY | 61% | $70,378 | $30,892 | $23,250 | 0.33x |
| 43 | [SUNY at Purchase College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-at-purchase-college) | Purchase, NY | 62% | $45,092 | $18,913 | $21,067 | 0.47x |
| 44 | [Le Moyne College](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/le-moyne-college) | Syracuse, NY | 72% | $62,731 | $22,277 | $23,000 | 0.37x |
| 45 | [SUNY Brockport](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-brockport) | Brockport, NY | 56% | $54,496 | $16,353 | $20,000 | 0.37x |
| 46 | [Syracuse University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/syracuse-university) | Syracuse, NY | 82% | $79,164 | $38,793 | $26,000 | 0.33x |
| 47 | [SUNY College of Technology at Delhi](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-college-of-technology-at-delhi) | Delhi, NY | 47% | $51,629 | $17,225 | $15,180 | 0.29x |
| 48 | [D'Youville  University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/dyouville-university) | Buffalo, NY | 62% | $66,942 | $20,433 | $25,000 | 0.37x |
| 49 | [SUNY Buffalo State University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/suny-buffalo-state-university) | Buffalo, NY | 35% | $52,334 | $11,346 | $21,028 | 0.4x |
| 50 | [Mercy University](https://www.collegeranker.com/colleges/mercy-university) | Dobbs Ferry, NY | 47% | $52,055 | $14,072 | $19,637 | 0.38x |

## Data Sources

- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (https://collegescorecard.ed.gov)
- Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card (https://opportunityinsights.org/data)
- Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
- Times Higher Education World University Rankings
- NCES IPEDS

## Citation

CollegeRanker. "Best Bachelor's Programs in New York." CollegeRanker.com, 2026-05-31. https://www.collegeranker.com/rankings/best-bachelors-new-york

## License

This data summary is provided for informational purposes. Underlying data from federal sources (College Scorecard, IPEDS) is public domain. Opportunity Insights data is available under their data use agreement at https://opportunityinsights.org/data/.