Rankings / By State
Best Education Colleges in New York
- 50
- Schools
- $60,241
- Avg. Earnings
- 58%
- Avg. Graduation
- $19,589
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,860
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $35,348 to $86,316, a 2.4× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Brooklyn College delivers the most for the money: roughly $60,752 in median earnings against $3,103 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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The most affordable option, CUNY Brooklyn College ($3,103 net price), still posts $60,752 in earnings, at or above the list average. Paying more does not guarantee a better outcome.
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Marist University graduates 80% of its students, versus a 58% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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CUNY Queens College carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.16× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 Niagara University ($56,196 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, Manhattan University ($86,316), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- CUNY Brooklyn College costs $3,103 a year and Marist University costs $41,544. Yet their graduates earn $60,752 and $77,819, nowhere near the $38,441 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Brooklyn College beats Manhattan 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 Brooklyn College and Marist 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
These schools are ranked on the outcomes that actually compound — graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value — using 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 $60K ten years out.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-06-12
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 Niagara University #1 overall | $56,196 ▼ -7% vs avg | $17,248 | 72% | 84 |
| 2 SUNY College at Geneseo #2 overall | $67,316 ▲ +12% vs avg | $18,211 | 72% | 83 |
| 3 CUNY Queens College #3 overall | $62,763 ▲ +4% vs avg | $4,195 | 56% | 82 |
| $60,752 ▲ +1% vs avg | $3,103 | 55% | 82 | |
| $60,386 ▲ +0% vs avg | $19,158 | 70% | 80 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Education 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 $60,241 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 58% and an average net price of $19,589.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Brooklyn College — Net Price: $3,103 | Graduation Rate: 55%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Marist University — 80% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Manhattan University — Median alumni earnings: $86,316
Research Note
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Educator Pipeline Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about the educator pipeline?
$59,238
Median earnings (10yr)
59%
Median graduation rate
$18,922
Median net price
3.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Education programs feed a workforce defined by paradox: chronic teacher shortages and high social value on one side, modest pay and high attrition on the other. These are licensure-gated, mission-driven careers. The programs that matter most reliably move graduates into classrooms and keep them there.
The median graduation rate across these 50 schools is 59%. Median graduate earnings reach $59,238 ten years after enrollment, roughly $11,238 more than the national worker average of $48,000. Average net price, the cost after grants, is $18,922 a year, and median federal debt at graduation is about $22,849. Some 38% of students receive Pell grants, and mobility, the share of low-income students who reach the top quintile, averages 3.0%.
What we’re seeing: districts compete hard for credentialed teachers, but the pay ceiling makes affordability decisive. With median earnings near $59,238 and a typical net price of $18,922, value in this field is driven as much by low cost as by salary.
The podium
Build your ranking
Drag a pillar — schools re-rank live.
Tip: Check the box on any 2–4 schools below to compare them side by side.
Full rankings
Why it ranks #1
Niagara University lands at #1 with a 84/100 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, 7% 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 #2
SUNY College at Geneseo lands at #2 with a 83/100 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, 12% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,211 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 #3
CUNY Queens College lands at #3 with a 82/100 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, 4% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #4
CUNY Brooklyn College lands at #4 with a 82/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #5
SUNY Oneonta lands at #5 with a 80/100 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, 0% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Boricua College lands at #6 with a 80/100 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, 41% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #7
SUNY at Fredonia lands at #7 with a 78/100 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, 10% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
St. Joseph's University-New York lands at #8 with a 77/100 composite, led by academic quality (80/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (54/100). Graduates earn a median $63,905 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,035 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
New Paltz, NY · 62% accepted · $18,809 net
Why it ranks #9
State University of New York at New Paltz lands at #9 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, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,809 a year. 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 #10
Roberts Wesleyan University lands at #10 with a 76/100 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, 9% 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 puts it near the top, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
SUNY Old Westbury lands at #11 with a 76/100 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, 3% 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 #12
SUNY Buffalo State University lands at #12 with a 75/100 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, 13% 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 #13
CUNY York College lands at #13 with a 74/100 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, 5% 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
Plattsburgh, NY · 78% accepted · $17,156 net
Why it ranks #14
State University of New York at Plattsburgh lands at #14 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, 6% 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
Cortland, NY · 60% accepted · $22,345 net
Why it ranks #15
State University of New York at Cortland lands at #15 with a 74/100 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, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,345 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 #16
SUNY Brockport lands at #16 with a 74/100 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, 10% 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 #17
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #17 with a 72/100 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, 23% 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 #18
Elmira College lands at #18 with a 72/100 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, 4% 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 #19
CUNY City College lands at #19 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, 10% 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 #20
Canisius University lands at #20 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $17,940 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 #21
Keuka College lands at #21 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (42/100). Graduates earn a median $58,289 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $24,338 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 #22
Wagner College lands at #22 with a 71/100 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, 23% 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 #23
SUNY College at Potsdam lands at #23 with a 71/100 composite, led by social mobility (63/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (60/100). Graduates earn a median $47,866 a decade after enrolling, 21% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,624 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 #24
Houghton University lands at #24 with a 70/100 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, 22% 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 #25
St Bonaventure University lands at #25 with a 70/100 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, 5% 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 #26
Adelphi University lands at #26 with a 69/100 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, 25% 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 #27
Alfred University lands at #27 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, 9% 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 #28
CUNY LaGuardia Community College lands at #28 with a 68/100 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, 31% 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
Why it ranks #29
Ithaca College lands at #29 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, 5% 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 carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #30
Mercy University lands at #30 with a 68/100 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, 14% 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
Utica University lands at #31 with a 68/100 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, 5% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,108 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 #32
Iona University lands at #32 with a 68/100 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, 22% 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 #33
Marist University lands at #33 with a 68/100 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, 29% 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 #34
Daemen University lands at #34 with a 68/100 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, 3% above this list's average, and net price runs $18,693 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 #35
Siena College lands at #35 with a 68/100 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, 26% 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 #36
Hofstra University lands at #36 with a 68/100 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, 15% 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 #37
State University of New York at Oswego lands at #37 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, 4% 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 #38
Long Island University lands at #38 with a 66/100 composite, led by social mobility (79/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (45/100). Graduates earn a median $59,950 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $33,062 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
University at Albany lands at #39 with a 66/100 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, 13% 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 #40
Hartwick College lands at #40 with a 66/100 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, 1% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #41
Manhattan University lands at #41 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, 43% 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 #42
College of Staten Island CUNY lands at #42 with a 65/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $53,501 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,579 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 #43
St. Thomas Aquinas College lands at #43 with a 65/100 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, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $19,994 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 #44
Molloy University lands at #44 with a 65/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (74/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (46/100). Graduates earn a median $77,789 a decade after enrolling, 29% above this list's average, and net price runs $24,347 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
St. John Fisher University lands at #45 with a 64/100 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, 11% 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 #46
Russell Sage College lands at #46 with a 63/100 composite, led by academic quality (73/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (55/100). Graduates earn a median $58,316 a decade after enrolling, 3% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,917 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 #47
St. Francis College lands at #47 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, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,129 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
St. John's University-New York lands at #48 with a 60/100 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, 15% 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
Why it ranks #49
Empire State University lands at #49 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (70/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $54,080 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $11,676 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 #50
CUNY Hostos Community College lands at #50 with a 59/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (40/100). Graduates earn a median $40,485 a decade after enrolling, 33% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,297 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
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 the right education college in New York can be a pivotal decision for aspiring teachers and educators. With options ranging from private institutions to public colleges, understanding what these schools offer is essential for future success. For context, graduates from these programs can expect average earnings of $58,981 after graduation.
What sets the top education colleges apart is their focus on outcomes that matter, including graduation rates, earning potential, and manageable debt levels. The schools on this list have been ranked based on these key factors, which provide insight into the value of their education programs. As you explore these options, consider how each institution aligns with your career goals and financial situation.
Take Niagara University and SUNY College at Geneseo, for instance. Niagara University graduates earn $56,196 annually with a 72% graduation rate and a net price of $17,248. In contrast, Geneseo boasts higher earnings at $67,316 and the same graduation rate but comes with a slightly higher debt load of $19,500. This comparison highlights the different trade-offs that students might face when selecting a college, making it essential to weigh each school’s offerings carefully.
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 34 schools on this list with available data, that rate averages 3%. CUNY Brooklyn College leads the group at 8.1%, with CUNY Queens College (7.1%) and CUNY York College (6.8%) close behind.
Who gets in matters as much as what happens after. Across these schools, an average of 12.5% of students start in the bottom income quintile. Boricua College leads at 46.7%, 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 27.7% across this list. SUNY College at Geneseo posts the highest success rate at 44%. 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 1.62 against a national benchmark of 1.0. Adelphi University reaches 1.86, 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
The data reveals a notable pattern when comparing St. Joseph's University-New York and CUNY Brooklyn College. While St. Joseph's graduates earn $63,905 with a graduation rate of 67%, Brooklyn College has lower earnings at $60,752 and a graduation rate of 55%. This difference underscores how slightly varying metrics can result in distinct outcomes for graduates, emphasizing the importance of assessing each program's strengths.
Now that you've seen the options, think about what matters most to you. Are you prioritizing location, financial considerations, or specific program strengths? Weigh these factors against the data provided. Look for schools that not only meet your academic needs but also align with your long-term career aspirations and budget.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable career hinges on informed decisions. With careful consideration of each school's outcomes and your personal priorities, families can navigate this critical choice. Remember, one decision today can significantly impact your future stability and 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 Education Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Education Colleges in New York ranking? +
Niagara University in Niagara University, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Education Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $56,196 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? +
Manhattan University posts the highest median earnings on this list: $86,316 ten years after enrollment, well above the $60,241 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 Brooklyn College leads: graduates earn a median $60,752 against net price of about $3,103 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? +
Marist University has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 80%, compared with a 58% 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 $19,589 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY Brooklyn College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,103. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Education 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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