Rankings / By State
Best Engineering Colleges in New York
- 27
- Schools
- $76,246
- Avg. Earnings
- 71%
- Avg. Graduation
- $23,803
- Avg. Net Price
- $20,090
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
-
Graduate earnings span a wide band on this list, from $38,857 at the low end to $104,043 at the top. That 2.7× spread shows how much outcomes vary within a single category.
-
CUNY City College offers the strongest payback. Graduates earn a median of $66,039 against $3,776 in annual net price, the best earnings-to-cost ratio in this ranking.
-
The most budget-friendly option on this list is CUNY City College, at $3,776 annually in net price.
-
Completion rates separate this field: Columbia University in the City of New York graduates 96% of its students, well above the 71% list average. Finishing what you start matters as much as where you start.
-
Debt-to-earnings ratios favor United States Merchant Marine Academy: graduates owe only 0.10× their yearly income, the most manageable debt burden on the list.
Surprising Comparisons
- The top spot belongs to The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art ($83,847 earnings), not the highest earner, Cornell University ($104,043). That is what weighting mobility and value over salary alone produces.
- Price and payoff diverge sharply here. CUNY City College ($3,776/yr) and Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology ($39,986/yr) produce graduates earning $66,039 and $64,973 respectively, a far narrower earnings gap than the $36,210 cost difference would suggest.
- On a cost-adjusted basis, CUNY City College outperforms Cornell University: similar career earnings at a much lower net price.
The Takeaway
The schools that win this ranking are not the priciest or the most selective. They turn students into earners without burying them in debt, which is exactly what our outcomes-first methodology is built to surface.
What This Means for Students
If you are choosing from this list, start with CUNY City College and Columbia University in the City of New York. Pull each school's net price for your income band, weigh projected earnings against the debt you would take on, and let payoff rather than prestige drive your shortlist.
Why this ranking matters
Engineering 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 $79K within a decade, and mechanical engineer 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $83,847 ▲ +10% vs avg | $13,269 | 81% | 91 | |
| 2 Cornell University #2 overall | $104,043 ▲ +36% vs avg | $28,690 | 95% | 89 |
| 3 SUNY Maritime College #3 overall | $95,951 ▲ +26% vs avg | $22,367 | 70% | 88 |
| $102,051 ▲ +34% vs avg | $36,228 | 83% | 86 | |
| $102,491 ▲ +34% vs avg | $21,590 | 96% | 85 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Best Engineering Colleges in New York
This analysis ranks 27 institutions on graduate earnings, social mobility, completion, and cost. Across the list, alumni earn a median of $76,246 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 71% and an average net price of $23,803.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY City College — Net Price: $3,776 | Graduation Rate: 56%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: Columbia University in the City of New York — 96% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: Cornell University — Median alumni earnings: $104,043
Data Insight
Private nonprofit colleges cost 110% more in net price than publics, while their graduates earn 21% more.
Engineering Talent Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about America’s engineering talent pipeline?
$77,807
Median earnings (10yr)
74%
Median graduation rate
$22,405
Median net price
4.0%
Avg. mobility rate
Engineering remains one of the most reliable investments in higher education. Earnings are high, unemployment is low, and the skills tie directly to the physical infrastructure of the economy. ABET accreditation and co-op placements are the structural markers that separate programs, and reshoring plus federal infrastructure investment keeps amplifying demand.
Across the 27 schools on this list, graduates earn a median of $77,807 ten years after they first enrolled, about $29,807 more than the roughly $48,000 a typical American worker takes home. The median graduation rate is 74%. Net price, what students pay after grants, runs a median of $22,405 a year, with about $21,063 in median federal debt at graduation. An average of 31% of students receive Pell grants, and the typical school moves low-income students into the top income quintile at a rate of 4.0%.
Engineering programs that combine ABET accreditation with co-op or internship requirements produce the strongest outcomes. Median earnings of $77,807 reflect the field’s consistent premium over other disciplines. With infrastructure spending accelerating, demand for these graduates is structural rather than cyclical.
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
New York, NY · 21% accepted · $13,269 net
Why it ranks #1
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art lands at #1 with a 91/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (75/100). Graduates earn a median $83,847 a decade after enrolling, 10% above this list's average, and net price runs $13,269 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 #2
Cornell University lands at #2 with a 89/100 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, 36% 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 #3
SUNY Maritime College lands at #3 with a 88/100 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, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $22,367 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 #4
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lands at #4 with a 86/100 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, 34% 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
New York, NY · 4% accepted · $21,590 net
Why it ranks #5
Columbia University in the City of New York lands at #5 with a 85/100 composite, led by academic quality (86/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (71/100). Graduates earn a median $102,491 a decade after enrolling, 34% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,590 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #6
Clarkson University lands at #6 with a 84/100 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, 18% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Kings Point, NY · 34% accepted · $6,174 net
Why it ranks #7
United States Merchant Marine Academy lands at #7 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by social mobility (53/100). Graduates earn a median $90,610 a decade after enrolling, 19% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,174 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 #8
Binghamton University lands at #8 with a 80/100 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, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $21,620 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
University of Rochester lands at #9 with a 77/100 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, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $29,278 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #10
Rochester Institute of Technology lands at #10 with a 77/100 composite, led by social mobility (81/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (36/100). Graduates earn a median $76,571 a decade after enrolling, 0% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,906 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #11
Alfred University lands at #11 with a 75/100 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, 28% below this list's average, and net price runs $25,620 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
New York University lands at #12 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, 8% 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 #13
Manhattan University lands at #13 with a 74/100 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, 13% 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 #14
CUNY City College lands at #14 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $66,039 a decade after enrolling, 13% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,776 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
New York Institute of Technology lands at #15 with a 73/100 composite, led by social mobility (84/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (53/100). Graduates earn a median $70,080 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $22,443 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
New Paltz, NY · 62% accepted · $18,809 net
Why it ranks #16
State University of New York at New Paltz lands at #16 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $58,073 a decade after enrolling, 24% 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 #17
Union College lands at #17 with a 71/100 composite, led by academic quality (85/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (50/100). Graduates earn a median $88,604 a decade after enrolling, 16% above this list's average, and net price runs $34,561 a year, above the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #18
Syracuse University lands at #18 with a 71/100 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, 4% 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 #19
Stony Brook University lands at #19 with a 69/100 composite, led by economic outcomes (75/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (63/100). Graduates earn a median $74,502 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,784 a year, well under the field. Strong earnings drive the rank, but with mobility weighted 35% and value 20%, salary alone can only take a school so far.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
SUNY Polytechnic Institute lands at #20 with a 69/100 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, 16% below 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 #21
Hofstra University lands at #21 with a 69/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (37/100). Graduates earn a median $69,039 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $34,176 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Syracuse, NY · 63% accepted · $18,952 net
Why it ranks #22
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry lands at #22 with a 68/100 composite, led by academic quality (74/100) and pulled down by social mobility (59/100). Graduates earn a median $55,763 a decade after enrolling, 27% below this list's average, and net price runs $18,952 a year, well under the field. Academics score well here, yet mobility (35%) and value (20%) carry the most weight, so outcome-per-dollar sets the final position.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #23
University at Buffalo lands at #23 with a 67/100 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, 7% below 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 #24
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology lands at #24 with a 65/100 composite, led by social mobility (83/100) and pulled down by value per dollar (32/100). Graduates earn a median $64,973 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $39,986 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 #25
College of Staten Island CUNY lands at #25 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, 30% 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 #26
United States Military Academy lands at #26 with a 60/100 composite, led by academic quality (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (67/100). 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
Villa Maria College lands at #27 with a 52/100 composite, led by value per dollar (60/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $38,857 a decade after enrolling, 49% below this list's average, and net price runs $13,494 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 26 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 Mechanical Engineers and related roles — a field with $99,510 median pay and 10% projected growth.
See the Mechanical Engineer career guide →Choosing the right engineering college in New York can be a pivotal decision for students and families. Each of the 27 schools on this list provides unique opportunities for aspiring engineers, whether through specialized programs or strong connections to the industry. The average earnings for graduates from these institutions stand at $74,964, reflecting the potential return on investment for students entering this demanding field.
What separates the top engineering programs from the rest? It comes down to critical outcomes such as earnings, graduation rates, debt levels, and overall mobility. Schools that consistently produce graduates who earn higher salaries and complete their degrees represent the best choices for students. The data below offers a clear view of how each institution stacks up against these important metrics.
Take, for example, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Both have similar graduation rates at 81%, but their financial landscapes differ significantly. The Merchant Marine Academy has a much lower net price of $6,174 and significantly lower debt levels at $8,833 compared to The Cooper Union's $13,269 net price and $15,000 debt. This contrast highlights the tradeoffs students may face when choosing between programs.
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 16 schools here with that data, the average mobility rate is 4%. That figure is the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology leads the group at 16.4%, with Binghamton University (5.1%) and The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art (4.3%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 8.4% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology enrolls the most, at 36.5%, 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 48.9% 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 1.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and Hofstra University is highest at 1.84.
Mobility, access, and social-capital figures from Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card & the Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas.
Cost & Debt
What families actually pay and what students owe. Data from College Scorecard.
Median Debt at Graduation
When we look closely at the data, a distinct pattern emerges between schools like Cornell University and SUNY Maritime College. Cornell's graduates enjoy an impressive earning potential of $104,043, paired with a 95% graduation rate. In contrast, SUNY Maritime College has lower earnings at $95,951 and a graduation rate of 70%. This suggests that while both schools offer solid engineering programs, Cornell may better prepare students for high earnings and successful completion.
For students navigating this list of 27 schools, it’s crucial to consider personal priorities alongside the data. Factors like campus culture, program fit, and financial situation should weigh heavily in your decision-making process. Think about what you value most: is it lower debt, higher earnings, or a specific area of engineering? Use the data to support your choices, but trust your instincts as well.
Ultimately, the path from college to a stable life is shaped by the choices we make today. For one family, selecting a college with lower debt could mean a smoother transition into the workforce, while another might prioritize a school with a strong alumni network. These decisions can have lasting impacts on financial stability and career success, making the data not just numbers, but a vital guide in shaping futures.
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 Engineering Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Best Engineering Colleges in New York ranking? +
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Best Engineering Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $83,847 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 81% 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 $76,246 average across the 26 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 City College leads: graduates earn a median $66,039 against net price of about $3,776 a year, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio in the ranking. Applicants should weigh that payback against sticker price rather than prestige.
Which school has the highest graduation rate? +
Columbia University in the City of New York has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 96%, compared with a 71% 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 $23,803 a year across the 26 ranked schools with cost data. CUNY City College is among the most affordable at roughly $3,776. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Best Engineering 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 27 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
Related Rankings
