Rankings / By State
Best Communications Colleges in New York
- 49
- Schools
- $62,118
- Avg. Earnings
- 63%
- Avg. Graduation
- $22,973
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,990
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $41,190 at the low end to $86,316 at the top. That 2.1× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $75,971 against $3,033 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
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Cost and quality are not at odds here. The most affordable school, CUNY Hunter College at $2,984 a year in net price, delivers earnings of $63,163, matching or exceeding the list average.
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Completion rates separate this field: New York University graduates 88% of its students, well above the 63% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
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Debt-to-earnings ratios favor CUNY Bernard M Baruch College: graduates owe only 0.15× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to Fashion Institute of Technology ($62,696 earnings), not the highest earner, Manhattan University ($86,316). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY Hunter College ($2,984/yr) and The New School ($58,741/yr) produce graduates earning $63,163 and $52,901 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $55,757 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College outperforms Manhattan University: similar career earnings at a much lower 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 New York 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 $61K within a decade, and pr specialist roles are projected to grow 6%. 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 Fashion Institute of Technology #1 overall | $62,696 ▲ +1% vs avg | $19,095 | 82% | 82 |
| 2 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College #2 overall | $75,971 ▲ +22% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 82 |
| 3 CUNY Hunter College #3 overall | $63,163 ▲ +2% vs avg | $2,984 | 59% | 80 |
| $60,752 ▼ -2% vs avg | $3,103 | 55% | 78 | |
| $63,548 ▲ +2% vs avg | $33,926 | 75% | 77 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Communications Colleges in New York
This analysis ranks 49 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $62,118 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 63% and an average net price of $22,973.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: New York University — 88% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Manhattan University — Median alumni earnings: $86,316
Our Analysis Found
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Humanities & Creative Fields Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the value of a humanities and creative education?
$60,752
Median earnings (10yr)
65%
Median graduation rate
$20,519
Median net price
3.1%
Avg. mobility rate
The value of a humanities or creative degree resists summary in a single earnings number, but that does not make it absent. These programs build critical thinking, persuasive writing, and creative problem-solving, the abilities employers consistently say they need most. Those skills compound over a career and narrow the early earnings gap with more vocational fields.
The median graduation rate across these 49 schools is 65%. Median graduate earnings reach $60,752 ten years after enrollment, roughly $12,752 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $20,519 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $23,000. Some 34% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 3.1%.
Variability is the theme across these programs, and wide ranges in both earnings and cost make school selection especially consequential. Graduates earn a median of $60,752 ten years after enrollment, and the median net price runs $20,519. Affordability is the single most effective lever for improving ROI in this category.
The podium
Build your ranking
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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
Fashion Institute of Technology lands at #1 with a 82/100 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,095 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 #2
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #2 with a 82/100 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, 22% 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 #3
CUNY Hunter College lands at #3 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #4 with a 78/100 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, 2% 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 #5
Ithaca College lands at #5 with a 77/100 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, 2% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
New Paltz, NY · 62% accepted · $18,809 net
Why it ranks #6
State University of New York at New Paltz lands at #6 with a 75/100 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, 7% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
New York University lands at #7 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, 33% 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 #8
SUNY College at Geneseo lands at #8 with a 74/100 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, 8% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
Fordham University lands at #9 with a 74/100 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, 38% 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
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #10
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #10 with a 74/100 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, 9% 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 #11
SUNY Oneonta lands at #11 with a 74/100 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, 3% 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 #12
Syracuse University lands at #12 with a 74/100 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, 27% 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 #13
Pace University lands at #13 with a 73/100 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, 13% 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 #14
SUNY at Purchase College lands at #14 with a 73/100 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, 27% 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 #15
Marist University lands at #15 with a 73/100 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, 25% 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 #16
Pratt Institute-Main lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $54,295 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $52,659 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 #17
Canisius University lands at #17 with a 72/100 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, 2% 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 #18
Hobart William Smith Colleges lands at #18 with a 72/100 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, 11% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #19
Hofstra University lands at #19 with a 72/100 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, 11% 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 #20
CUNY City College lands at #20 with a 72/100 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% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #21
St Lawrence University lands at #21 with a 71/100 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, 8% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #22
SUNY Old Westbury lands at #22 with a 71/100 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, 6% 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 #23
Iona University lands at #23 with a 70/100 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, 18% 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 #24
SUNY at Fredonia lands at #24 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, 13% 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 #25
Siena University lands at #25 with a 70/100 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, 22% 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 #26
Le Moyne College lands at #26 with a 70/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #27
St Bonaventure University lands at #27 with a 69/100 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, 8% 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 #28
SUNY Brockport lands at #28 with a 69/100 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, 12% 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 #29
SUNY Buffalo State University lands at #29 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, 16% 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 #30
Mercy University lands at #30 with a 69/100 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, 16% 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 #31
Manhattanville University lands at #31 with a 68/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (49/100). Graduates earn a median $58,832 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,991 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 #32
Houghton University lands at #32 with a 68/100 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, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $20,519 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
Alfred University lands at #33 with a 67/100 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, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,620 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 #34
University at Albany lands at #34 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (72/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (61/100). Graduates earn a median $67,979 a decade after enrolling, 9% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,167 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 #35
Dutchess Community College lands at #35 with a 67/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $43,929 a decade after enrolling, 29% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,065 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 #36
State University of New York at Oswego lands at #36 with a 67/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (67/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $57,566 a decade after enrolling, 7% below this list's average, and net price runs $16,236 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 #37
SUNY Polytechnic Institute lands at #37 with a 66/100 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, 4% 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 #38
SUNY Westchester Community College lands at #38 with a 66/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $46,822 a decade after enrolling, 25% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,373 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 #39
Manhattan University lands at #39 with a 66/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (78/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (47/100). Graduates earn a median $86,316 a decade after enrolling, 39% above this list's average, and net price runs $27,256 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 #40
Onondaga Community College lands at #40 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (42/100). Graduates earn a median $41,190 a decade after enrolling, 34% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,562 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
The New School lands at #41 with a 64/100 composite, led by social mobility (82/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (30/100). Graduates earn a median $52,901 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $58,741 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 #42
University at Buffalo lands at #42 with a 63/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (54/100). Graduates earn a median $70,814 a decade after enrolling, 14% above this list's average, and net price runs $20,995 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 #43
Hilbert College lands at #43 with a 63/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $48,309 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,723 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
St. John Fisher University lands at #44 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $66,944 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $28,945 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 #45
St. Francis College lands at #45 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (69/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,099 a decade after enrolling, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,129 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 #46
Marymount Manhattan College lands at #46 with a 62/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (26/100). Graduates earn a median $49,131 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $36,861 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
Cortland, NY · 60% accepted · $22,345 net
Why it ranks #47
State University of New York at Cortland lands at #47 with a 62/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (69/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $60,236 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,345 a year. 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 #48
St. Thomas Aquinas College lands at #48 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (68/100) and pulled down by social mobility (56/100). Graduates earn a median $62,909 a decade after enrolling, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,994 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 #49
St. John's University-New York lands at #49 with a 61/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (70/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $69,571 a decade after enrolling, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,999 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 49 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 PR Specialists and related roles — a field with $67,440 median pay and 6% projected growth.
See the PR Specialist career guide →Communications degrees can open doors to a variety of careers in media, public relations, and beyond. In New York, students have access to 45 colleges with programs designed to prepare them for this dynamic field. Choosing the right school can significantly affect future earnings and job prospects.
The best communications programs in New York stand out based on important outcomes like earnings, graduation rates, student debt, and the potential for upward mobility. The schools listed below are ranked not just on program concentration but also on how well they prepare students for life after graduation. It’s essential to consider these metrics as you weigh your options.
For example, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the pack with impressive earnings of $75,971 and a graduation rate of 72%. In contrast, CUNY Hunter College reports earnings of $63,163 but has a significantly lower graduation rate of 59%. This highlights the tradeoff between potential income and completion rates, giving you a reason to delve deeper.
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 38 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 3.1%. 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 Pace University (8.4%) and CUNY Brooklyn College (8.1%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 9.8% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College enrolls the most, at 27.6%, 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 31.2% across the list, peaking at 55.6% at Pace University.
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 1.66, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Marymount Manhattan College is highest at 1.86.
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 looking at the data, a notable pattern emerges between CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and Fashion Institute of Technology. Baruch College not only boasts the highest earnings at $75,971 but also maintains a solid graduation rate of 72%. In contrast, while Fashion Institute of Technology has a higher graduation rate at 82%, its earnings come in lower at $62,696. This underscores how earnings and graduation rates can vary widely even among top programs, influencing your choice based on what you value more.
As you sift through the 45 options, reflect on what matters most for your college experience. Is it about being close to home, the reputation of the program, or the overall campus environment? Financial considerations are also key, especially since schools like CUNY Hunter College have a low net price of $2,984 but a lower graduation rate. Weigh these factors carefully against your personal priorities to make an informed decision.
Ultimately, the data reflects a crucial truth: the right college can lead to a stable life and career. Consider a family deciding between Baruch College and Hunter College. One might prioritize high income potential, while another values affordability and campus culture. Each choice carries its own implications for future opportunities, illustrating the importance of a thoughtful approach to college selection.
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 Communications Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Communications Colleges in New York ranking? +
Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Communications Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $62,696 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 82% 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? +
Manhattan University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $86,316 ten years after enrollment, well above the $62,118 average across the 49 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? +
New York University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 88%, 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 $22,973 a year across the 49 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 Communications 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 49 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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