Rankings / By State
Best Biology Colleges in New York
- 50
- Schools
- $70,431
- Avg. Earnings
- 70%
- Avg. Graduation
- $24,156
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,629
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $45,092 at the low end to $131,426 at the top. That 2.9× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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CUNY Hunter College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $63,163 against $2,984 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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The most budget-friendly option on this list is CUNY Hunter College, at $2,984 annually in net price.
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Completion rates separate this field: Columbia University in the City of New York graduates 96% of its students, well above the 70% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor Cornell University: graduates owe only 0.13× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Cornell University ($104,043 earnings), not the highest earner, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($131,426). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY Hunter College ($2,984/yr) and Yeshiva University ($49,965/yr) produce graduates earning $63,163 and $71,353 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $46,981 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY Hunter College outperforms Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with CUNY Hunter College and Columbia University in the City of New York. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $67K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Cornell University #1 overall | $104,043 ▲ +48% vs avg | $28,690 | 95% | 87 |
| 2 Binghamton University #2 overall | $80,596 ▲ +14% vs avg | $21,620 | 83% | 85 |
| 3 Colgate University #3 overall | $85,139 ▲ +21% vs avg | $28,786 | 91% | 85 |
| $78,411 ▲ +11% vs avg | $28,985 | 91% | 83 | |
| $80,516 ▲ +14% vs avg | $28,800 | 93% | 82 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Biology Colleges in New York
This analysis ranks 50 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $70,431 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 70% and an average net price of $24,156.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Hunter College — Net Price: $2,984 | Graduation Rate: 59%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Columbia University in the City of New York — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — Median alumni earnings: $131,426
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
New York Opportunity Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about higher education and opportunity in New York?
$67,287
Median earnings (10yr)
71%
Median graduation rate
$22,787
Median net price
2.9%
Avg. mobility rate
Students tend to study where they live and work where they study, which makes a state's colleges its most important economic development asset. This ranking evaluates how well institutions across New York serve that role: producing graduates with strong earnings, keeping talent in the regional economy, and offering affordable paths for local students.
Across the 50 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $67,287 ten years after they first enrolled, about $19,287 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 71%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $22,787 a year, with about $21,348 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 31% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 2.9%.
For New York, the institutions that combine manageable costs with strong graduate outcomes are the ones building the local workforce. With a median net price of $22,787 and graduates earning a median of $67,287, these schools sit where the talent pipeline and economic development meet.
The podium
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Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Cornell University lands at #1 with a 87/100 composite, led by academic quality (93/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (72/100). Graduates earn a median $104,043 a decade after enrolling, 48% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,690 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
Binghamton University lands at #2 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $80,596 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Colgate University lands at #3 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (69/100). Graduates earn a median $85,139 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,786 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
Hamilton College lands at #4 with a 83/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $78,411 a decade after enrolling, 11% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,985 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
Barnard College lands at #5 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (96/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $80,516 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,800 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 4% accepted · $21,590 net
Why it ranks #6
Columbia University in the City of New York lands at #6 with a 82/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $102,491 a decade after enrolling, 46% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,590 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
New York Institute of Technology lands at #7 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $70,080 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,443 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
Vassar College lands at #8 with a 80/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $71,366 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $39,343 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
CUNY Hunter College lands at #9 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $63,163 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,984 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
University of Rochester lands at #10 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $79,042 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #11 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (91/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $60,752 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,103 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
CUNY Queens College lands at #12 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,763 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,195 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Canisius University lands at #13 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $60,681 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,940 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Albany, NY · 53% accepted · $29,882 net
Why it ranks #14
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences lands at #14 with a 78/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $131,426 a decade after enrolling, 87% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,882 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
SUNY College at Geneseo lands at #15 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (62/100). Graduates earn a median $67,316 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,211 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Syracuse, NY · 63% accepted · $18,952 net
Why it ranks #16
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry lands at #16 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $55,763 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,952 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Skidmore College lands at #17 with a 76/100 composite, led by academic quality (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $69,363 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $32,297 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Le Moyne College lands at #18 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $62,731 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,277 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
CUNY York College lands at #19 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $56,945 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
New York University lands at #20 with a 75/100 composite, led by academic quality (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (51/100). Graduates earn a median $82,509 a decade after enrolling, 17% above this list's average, and net price runs $37,050 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
St Lawrence University lands at #21 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $67,258 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $28,651 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #22
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #22 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (92/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $56,403 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,156 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #23 with a 74/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $102,051 a decade after enrolling, 45% above this list's average, and net price runs $36,228 a year, above the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #24 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (86/100) and pulled down by academic quality (38/100). Graduates earn a median $46,498 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,718 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
SUNY Old Westbury lands at #25 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (59/100). Graduates earn a median $58,526 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,282 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #26
CUNY City College lands at #26 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $66,039 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,776 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
Hobart William Smith Colleges lands at #27 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $68,831 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,563 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Stony Brook University lands at #28 with a 73/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $74,502 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,784 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #29
Yeshiva University lands at #29 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $71,353 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $49,965 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Adelphi University lands at #30 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (39/100). Graduates earn a median $75,482 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,783 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
Clarkson University lands at #31 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $89,696 a decade after enrolling, 27% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,305 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
New Paltz, NY · 62% accepted · $18,809 net
Why it ranks #32
State University of New York at New Paltz lands at #32 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $58,073 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #33
Fordham University lands at #33 with a 72/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (28/100). Graduates earn a median $85,569 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $44,338 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
SUNY Oneonta lands at #34 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $60,386 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,158 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
Niagara University lands at #35 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $56,196 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,248 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #36
Union College lands at #36 with a 70/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $88,604 a decade after enrolling, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,561 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #37
SUNY at Fredonia lands at #37 with a 70/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (58/100). Graduates earn a median $54,247 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,897 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #38
Siena University lands at #38 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $76,079 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,733 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
Syracuse University lands at #39 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (77/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $79,164 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $38,793 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #40
SUNY at Purchase College lands at #40 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $45,092 a decade after enrolling, 36% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,913 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Utica University lands at #41 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,277 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,108 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #42
Marist University lands at #42 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (33/100). Graduates earn a median $77,819 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $41,544 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #43
Roberts Wesleyan University lands at #43 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $55,031 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,130 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #44
SUNY Buffalo State University lands at #44 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (52/100). Graduates earn a median $52,334 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,346 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #45
Hartwick College lands at #45 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (34/100). Graduates earn a median $61,107 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $31,320 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #46
Hofstra University lands at #46 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $69,039 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,176 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #47
Elmira College lands at #47 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $57,550 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,386 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Alfred University lands at #48 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $54,897 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,620 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Ithaca College lands at #49 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (38/100). Graduates earn a median $63,548 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $33,926 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #50
Daemen University lands at #50 with a 67/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (57/100). Graduates earn a median $61,808 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,693 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a biology college in New York can be a pivotal decision for students passionate about the life sciences. With 50 schools offering diverse programs, prospective students have a wealth of options to consider.
What sets the strongest programs apart is not just their curriculum but their outcomes. Metrics like earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and student mobility reveal the real impact of these institutions on students' futures. The schools listed below represent those that excel in these areas, providing a roadmap for anyone evaluating their choices.
For instance, Cornell University stands out with an impressive average earnings figure of $104,043 and a graduation rate of 95%. In contrast, Binghamton University, while still respectable, offers earnings of $80,596 and a lower graduation rate of 83%. This comparison highlights how even minor differences in these metrics can have significant implications for students' post-college lives.
The story behind the ranking
A ranking gives you an order; these charts give you the shape. They show how this group of schools spreads across the four things that decide whether a degree pays off — what graduates earn, whether they finish, how far they move up, and what it costs. Look for the standouts, the outliers, and the trade-offs the list alone can't show.
Earnings Outcomes
What graduates earn 10 years after enrolling. Data from College Scorecard.
Distribution of Median Earnings
Earnings vs. Net Price
Top-left = best value. Top-ranked schools are highlighted.
Completion & Access
Graduation rates and who gets in. Data from College Scorecard & IPEDS.
Graduation Rates
Pell Grant Rate vs. Graduation Rate
Right = more low-income students. Higher = more graduate.
What the Mobility Data Says
The backbone of this ranking is social-mobility data from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, which draws on more than 30 million tax records. A school's mobility rate is the share of its students who move from the bottom income quintile to the top. Among the 46 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 2.9%. CUNY Brooklyn College leads the group at 8.1%, with CUNY Hunter College (7.5%) and CUNY Queens College (7.1%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 8.6% of students start in the bottom income quintile. CUNY York College leads at 30.7%, which signals an admissions door that is actually open to low-income students. Schools that pair high access with high mobility are the ones driving generational change.
Once low-income students enroll, their odds of reaching the top income quintile average 38% across this list. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest success rate at 85.2%. Access without completion and career momentum is an incomplete picture, and this is the number that completes it.
Social capital, measured by economic connectedness, captures the degree of cross-class friendship on campus, another dimension Opportunity Insights ties to long-run outcomes. Across these schools it averages 1.70 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Yeshiva University reaches 1.89, the highest on the list.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, we see a clear pattern: Cornell University consistently outperforms others, with earnings significantly higher than those of Binghamton University, despite the latter's lower net price. With Cornell's $14,000 average debt compared to Binghamton's $18,500, it is clear that financial considerations play a crucial role in long-term outcomes.
As you sift through the 50 schools listed, consider how each institution aligns with your personal priorities. Think about location, program focus, campus culture, and your financial situation. A school that excels in one area may not be a perfect fit for your circumstances. Make a list of your top priorities and weigh them against the data, ensuring you find a college that supports both your academic and personal goals.
Ultimately, the stakes are high. The choice of a college can shape not just educational outcomes, but life trajectories. One family might choose Cornell for its strong earnings potential, while another might opt for a more affordable option like Binghamton. Each decision carries weight, influencing not just the immediate college experience but the broader path towards financial stability and career success.
Data Sources
U.S. Dept of Education College Scorecard
Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card
Social Capital Atlas
Times Higher Education World Rankings
NCES IPEDS
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Biology Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Biology Colleges in New York ranking? +
Cornell University in Ithaca, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Biology Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $104,043 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 95% graduation rate. Our score is built entirely from federal data on graduation rates, graduate earnings, debt, and social mobility. Reputation surveys play no part.
Which school has the highest graduate earnings? +
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences posts the highest median earnings on this list: $131,426 ten years after enrollment, well above the $70,431 average across the 50 ranked schools with earnings data. Earnings that outpace cost are what separate a degree that pays off from one that does not.
Which school offers the best value? +
On a pure return-on-cost basis, CUNY Hunter College leads: graduates earn a median $63,163 against net price of about $2,984 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Columbia University in the City of New York has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 70% average across the list. Completion matters because the students who finish are the ones who actually capture the earnings and mobility gains a degree promises.
How much does it cost to attend these schools? +
The average net price, meaning what students actually pay after grants and scholarships, is about $24,156 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Hunter College is among the most affordable at roughly $2,984. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Biology Colleges in New York ranking calculated? +
We score every school on a four-pillar algorithm: economic outcomes (graduate earnings and debt), social mobility (Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built on more than 30 million anonymized tax records), academic quality (graduation and retention), and value (net price and loan burden). Social mobility carries the heaviest weight, so schools that lift low-income students into higher earnings rank above those that simply admit wealthy students. Every input comes from federal data, and schools that withhold their numbers are scored lower for it.
How many schools are ranked and where does the data come from? +
This ranking evaluates 50 institutions using the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, the Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Card and Social Capital Atlas, Times Higher Education, and NCES IPEDS. There are no opinion surveys or paid placements. The order is determined by the data alone and refreshed as new federal figures are released.
Sources & Citations
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