Rankings / By State
Best Business Colleges in New York
- 50
- Schools
- $64,556
- Avg. Earnings
- 63%
- Avg. Graduation
- $20,612
- Avg. Net Price
- $18,432
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $35,348 to $104,043, a 2.9× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the most for the money: roughly $75,971 in median earnings against $3,033 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, CUNY Hunter College ($2,984 net price), still posts $63,163 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Cornell University graduates 95% of its students, versus a 63% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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Cornell University carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.13× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College ($75,971 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Cornell University ($104,043), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- CUNY Hunter College costs $2,984 a year and Yeshiva University costs $49,965. Yet their graduates earn $63,163 and $71,353, nowhere near the $46,981 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College beats Cornell University: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
The through line among the top-ranked schools is plain. They pair solid graduate earnings with affordable costs and meaningful social mobility. Prestige and selectivity matter far less than whether students end up better off.
What This Means for Students
Your shortlist should start with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Cornell University. For each school, look up the net price your family would actually pay, weigh it against typical graduate earnings, and build the decision around the return instead of the name recognition.
Why this ranking matters
Business is one of the higher-return fields in the economy, but the payoff depends heavily on where you study it. Graduates of these programs earn a median of about $63K within a decade, and management analyst roles are projected to grow 10%. We rank programs by the outcomes they produce for graduates, not by reputation.
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 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College #1 overall | $75,971 ▲ +18% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 94 |
| 2 CUNY Brooklyn College #2 overall | $60,752 ▼ -6% vs avg | $3,103 | 55% | 89 |
| 3 Fashion Institute of Technology #3 overall | $62,696 ▼ -3% vs avg | $19,095 | 82% | 89 |
| $104,043 ▲ +61% vs avg | $28,690 | 95% | 87 | |
| $95,951 ▲ +49% vs avg | $22,367 | 70% | 83 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Business 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 $64,556 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 63% and an average net price of $20,612.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Cornell University — 95% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Cornell University — Median alumni earnings: $104,043
CollegeRanker Primary Research
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Management Education Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about leadership and management education?
$62,252
Median earnings (10yr)
66%
Median graduation rate
$18,952
Median net price
3.5%
Avg. mobility rate
Business and MBA programs sell acceleration: faster paths into management, bigger networks, and a salary step-change. The return is famously dispersed, though. A handful of programs deliver enormous ROI through placement and alumni networks, while many barely clear the cost of attendance. Management education is less a single product than a wide spectrum of outcomes.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 66%. Median graduate earnings reach $62,252 ten years after enrollment, roughly $14,252 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,952 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $19,569. Some 35% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 3.5%.
What we’re seeing: value concentrates where networks and employer pipelines are strongest, and ROI varies more here than in almost any other field. Median earnings reach $62,252 ten years after enrollment, with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College at the top of the list. The spread between the best programs and the median is the real story of an MBA.
The podium
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Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #1 with a 94/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (73/100). Graduates earn a median $75,971 a decade after enrolling, 18% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,033 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #2
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #2 with a 89/100 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, 6% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #3
Fashion Institute of Technology lands at #3 with a 89/100 composite, led by academic quality (90/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (65/100). Graduates earn a median $62,696 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,095 a year. 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
Cornell University lands at #4 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, 61% 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 #5
SUNY Maritime College lands at #5 with a 83/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (59/100). Graduates earn a median $95,951 a decade after enrolling, 49% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,367 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 #6
CUNY Queens College lands at #6 with a 83/100 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, 3% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #7
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #7 with a 83/100 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, 13% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
CUNY Lehman College lands at #8 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 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 #9
Binghamton University lands at #9 with a 82/100 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, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 a year. 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 #10
CUNY York College lands at #10 with a 81/100 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, 12% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Iona University lands at #11 with a 81/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (41/100). Graduates earn a median $73,595 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,188 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 #12
Le Moyne College lands at #12 with a 80/100 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, 3% 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 #13
SUNY Old Westbury lands at #13 with a 80/100 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, 9% 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 #14
CUNY Hunter College lands at #14 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, 2% 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 carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Siena University lands at #15 with a 80/100 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, 18% 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 #16
SUNY College at Geneseo lands at #16 with a 79/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #17
Marist University lands at #17 with a 79/100 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, 21% 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 #18
Yeshiva University lands at #18 with a 79/100 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, 11% 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 #19
St Bonaventure University lands at #19 with a 79/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $57,214 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $27,074 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 #20
New York University lands at #20 with a 79/100 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, 28% 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
Skidmore College lands at #21 with a 79/100 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, 7% above 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 #22
Fordham University lands at #22 with a 78/100 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, 33% 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 #23
University of Rochester lands at #23 with a 78/100 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, 22% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #24
Pace University lands at #24 with a 78/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (40/100). Graduates earn a median $70,378 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $30,892 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 #25
Canisius University lands at #25 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, 6% 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
Why it ranks #26
Niagara University lands at #26 with a 77/100 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, 13% 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 #27
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College lands at #27 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $42,306 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,976 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 #28
Wagner College lands at #28 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (44/100). Graduates earn a median $74,360 a decade after enrolling, 15% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,241 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 #29
Culinary Institute of America lands at #29 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (35/100). Graduates earn a median $47,475 a decade after enrolling, 26% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,113 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 #30
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #30 with a 76/100 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, 28% 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 #31
CUNY LaGuardia Community College lands at #31 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $41,653 a decade after enrolling, 35% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,120 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
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 76/100 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, 10% 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
Hofstra University lands at #33 with a 75/100 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, 7% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #34
Niagara County Community College lands at #34 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,285 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,876 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 #35
SUNY Oneonta lands at #35 with a 75/100 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, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $19,158 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 #36
Elmira College lands at #36 with a 75/100 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, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,386 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 #37
Mercy University lands at #37 with a 75/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (56/100). Graduates earn a median $52,055 a decade after enrolling, 19% below this list's average, and net price runs $14,072 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
Farmingdale State College lands at #38 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $69,781 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,867 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #39
SUNY College of Technology at Alfred lands at #39 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $50,445 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,016 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 #40
Suffolk County Community College lands at #40 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $49,907 a decade after enrolling, 23% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,258 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 #41
Boricua College lands at #41 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (100/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (64/100). Graduates earn a median $35,348 a decade after enrolling, 45% below this list's average, and net price runs $15,245 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
Houghton University lands at #42 with a 74/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $46,721 a decade after enrolling, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,519 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 #43
Daemen University lands at #43 with a 74/100 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, 4% 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
Why it ranks #44
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #44 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, 58% 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 #45
SUNY Polytechnic Institute lands at #45 with a 74/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $64,355 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $14,164 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 #46
Roberts Wesleyan University lands at #46 with a 74/100 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, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $23,130 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
Syracuse University lands at #47 with a 73/100 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, 23% 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 #48
SUNY Brockport lands at #48 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (60/100). Graduates earn a median $54,496 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,353 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 #49
SUNY College of Technology at Delhi lands at #49 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $51,629 a decade after enrolling, 20% below this list's average, and net price runs $17,225 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 #50
Clarkson University lands at #50 with a 73/100 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, 39% 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs — and the jobs are
Where these graduates work
Graduates of these programs most often become Management Analysts and related roles — a field with $99,410 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Management Analyst career guide →Choosing the right business program can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options in New York. These colleges not only offer a variety of business concentrations but also aim to prepare students for successful careers in a competitive job market. With an average earning potential of $66,269 for graduates, it's clear that many of these programs are designed with outcomes in mind.
What truly sets these schools apart are their graduation rates, average debt levels, and post-graduation earnings. For instance, the top programs boast impressive graduation rates, with Cornell University leading at 95%. As you explore the list below, consider how these factors may influence your decision-making process regarding future employment and financial stability.
Take CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Cornell University, for example. Baruch graduates earn an average of $75,971 with a graduation rate of 72%, while Cornell graduates see a higher average of $104,043 but face a significantly higher net price of $28,690. This contrast highlights the trade-offs between cost and potential earnings that students and families need to consider as they evaluate their options.
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
Social mobility carries the heaviest weight in this ranking, and the measure comes from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card, built from more than 30 million anonymized tax records. Across the 48 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 3.5%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Lehman College (10.2%) and Pace University (8.4%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 12.7% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Boricua College enrolls the most, at 46.7%, a sign it is reaching the students mobility is meant to lift. A high mobility rate paired with strong access is the combination that changes a generation's trajectory.
For the low-income students who do enroll, the success rate (the odds of reaching the top quintile) averages 33.2% across the list, peaking at 64.6% at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
These campuses can also be measured on social capital: the cross-class friendships Opportunity Insights links to long-run economic outcomes. Economic connectedness here averages 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Yeshiva University is highest at 1.89.
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 closer at the data, the differences between schools become more apparent. For example, Cornell University's graduates earn $104,043, but they also face a higher net price of $28,690. In contrast, CUNY Lehman College's graduates earn $58,013 but have a much lower net price of $3,148. This raises essential questions about cost versus return on investment, making it crucial for students to weigh these metrics carefully.
After reviewing these 50 programs, consider what matters most to you. Is a higher earning potential worth the additional debt? Or do you prioritize a lower-cost education with a solid support system? Reflect on your own goals, the type of business career you envision, and whether each school's culture aligns with your personal values. This thoughtful approach can guide you to the right decision.
Ultimately, choosing the right business college is about more than just numbers. It's about making a decision that aligns with your family's financial situation and your career aspirations. For many, a college degree can be a pathway to a stable life and greater opportunities. As you assess these options, remember that the right choice will set the foundation for your future 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 Business Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Business Colleges in New York ranking? +
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College in New York, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Business Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $75,971 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 72% 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? +
Cornell University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $104,043 ten years after enrollment, well above the $64,556 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 Bernard M Baruch College leads: graduates earn a median $75,971 against net price of about $3,033 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? +
Cornell University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 95%, compared with a 63% 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 $20,612 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 Business 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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