Rankings / By State (Affordable)
Most Affordable Colleges in New York
- 50
- Schools
- $46,515
- Avg. Earnings
- 37%
- Avg. Graduation
- $6,534
- Avg. Net Price
- $10,915
- Avg. Debt
CollegeRanker Research
What Surprised Us Most
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Median graduate earnings across these 50 schools run from $17,360 to $90,610, a 5.2× gap. The category label alone says little about payoff.
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CUNY Bernard M Baruch College delivers the most for the money: roughly $75,971 in median earnings against $3,033 a year in net price, the strongest earnings-to-cost ratio on the list.
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Talmudical Seminary of Bobov is the lowest-cost school here at $2,840 a year in net price.
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United States Merchant Marine Academy graduates 81% of its students, versus a 37% average across the list. Completion, more than selectivity, signals whether a degree actually gets finished.
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United States Merchant Marine Academy carries the healthiest debt load, with graduates owing just 0.10× their annual earnings.
Surprising Comparisons
- #1 CUNY Hunter College ($63,163 earnings) outranks the list's highest earner, United States Merchant Marine Academy ($90,610), because it does more on mobility and cost.
- Talmudical Seminary of Bobov costs $2,840 a year and SUNY Buffalo State University costs $11,346. Yet their graduates earn $22,432 and $52,334, nowhere near the $8,506 price gap.
- On value, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College beats United States Merchant Marine Academy: comparable career payoff at a fraction of the net price.
The Takeaway
A consistent pattern: the schools that finish at the top get there by delivering strong earnings, manageable debt, and real mobility rather than by charging more or rejecting more applicants. Those outcomes are what define educational value.
What This Means for Students
For students evaluating these schools, begin with CUNY Bernard M Baruch College and United States Merchant Marine Academy. Look past sticker price: pull each school's net price for your income level, compare it against projected earnings, and let the data guide the decision instead of the brand.
Why this ranking matters
These schools are ranked on outcomes that compound: graduate earnings, upward mobility, debt, and value, all drawn from federal tax records and Scorecard data rather than reputation surveys. The list rewards results over prestige, led by institutions whose graduates earn a median of about $43K ten years after enrollment.
How we measure this — full methodology →How we rank · 4 pillars
Federal-source data only. Build your own weighting →
Data Behind This Page Updated 2026-07-13
Source datasets
Methodology
Schools are scored on the CollegeRanker 4-Pillar Algorithm: Economic Outcomes (30%), Social Mobility (25–35%), Academic Quality (15–20%), and Value (20–25%). Every weight is published and every figure traces to a public dataset.
See the full methodology and weights →Confidence notes
- Earnings, completion, and debt figures come from federal administrative records — tax data and student-aid filings — not surveys or self-reports, the highest-confidence tier of education data available.
- Social-mobility estimates are drawn from de-identified tax records covering more than 30 million students (Opportunity Insights).
- Where an institution is missing a metric, it is excluded from that metric rather than imputed, so averages are never inflated by guesses.
Limitations
- Federal earnings data primarily cover students who received federal financial aid; outcomes for non-aided students may differ.
- Earnings are measured roughly ten years after enrollment, so they describe how earlier cohorts fared — historical outcomes, not guarantees of future results.
- An institution's field-of-study mix affects raw earnings; scores reflect measured outcomes and are not fully major-adjusted unless explicitly noted.
- Net price is an average; the actual cost a given student pays varies widely by family income.
At a Glance
How the Top Schools Compare
| School | Earnings | Net Price | Graduation | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 CUNY Hunter College #1 overall | $63,163 ▲ +36% vs avg | $2,984 | 59% | 91 |
| 2 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College #2 overall | $75,971 ▲ +63% vs avg | $3,033 | 72% | 91 |
| 3 CUNY Brooklyn College #3 overall | $60,752 ▲ +31% vs avg | $3,103 | 55% | 91 |
| $58,013 ▲ +25% vs avg | $3,148 | 50% | 90 | |
| $56,195 ▲ +21% vs avg | $3,203 | 56% | 90 |
Score uses our 4-pillar methodology. Earnings % is vs. this list's average.
See full ranking →Executive Summary
Most Affordable 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 $46,515 ten years after enrolling, against an average graduation rate of 37% and an average net price of $6,534.
Key takeaways
- Strongest Earnings-to-Cost Ratio: CUNY Bernard M Baruch College — Net Price: $3,033 | Graduation Rate: 72%
- Strongest Completion Outcomes: United States Merchant Marine Academy — 81% completion rate
- Highest Earnings Generator: United States Merchant Marine Academy — Median alumni earnings: $90,610
CollegeRanker Primary Research
The most expensive quartile of colleges costs 373% more than the most affordable — but their graduates earn just 34% more.
Affordability & ROI Analysis
What does this ranking tell us about getting a real return on a degree?
$42,621
Median earnings (10yr)
32%
Median graduation rate
$6,264
Median net price
4.0%
Avg. mobility rate
A value ranking asks the question families actually care about: which school delivers the strongest outcome for the least cost and debt. The winners are rarely the cheapest schools or the highest earners. They are the ones that pair a low net price, what students pay after grants, with graduates who go on to earn. That is the definition of return on investment.
Start with the medians across these 50 schools. Graduates earn a median of $42,621 ten years after enrollment. The median graduation rate is 32%, and the typical net price (what students pay after grants) runs $6,264 a year with about $10,989 in federal debt. Pell grants reach 44% of students on average, and the average mobility rate, the share of students lifted from the bottom income quintile to the top, is 4.0%.
What we’re seeing: value clusters at schools that hold net price down without sacrificing earnings. The median net price here is $6,264, with graduates earning a median of $42,621 ten years after enrollment. Strong results without heavy debt: that combination is the quiet argument for where higher education is headed.
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
CUNY Hunter College lands at #1 with a 91/100 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, 36% 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 #2
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College lands at #2 with a 91/100 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, 63% 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 Brooklyn College lands at #3 with a 91/100 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, 31% 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 #4
CUNY Lehman College lands at #4 with a 90/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (58/100). Graduates earn a median $58,013 a decade after enrolling, 25% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,148 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
New York, NY · 57% accepted · $3,203 net
Why it ranks #5
CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice lands at #5 with a 90/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (63/100). Graduates earn a median $56,195 a decade after enrolling, 21% above this list's average, and net price runs $3,203 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 #6
CUNY Queens College lands at #6 with a 88/100 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, 35% 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 #7
CUNY York College lands at #7 with a 88/100 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, 22% above this list's average, and net price runs $4,456 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #8
CUNY City College lands at #8 with a 87/100 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, 42% 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #9
CUNY Medgar Evers College lands at #9 with a 85/100 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, 0% above 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 puts it near the top.
Pillar breakdown
Brooklyn, NY · 80% accepted · $5,127 net
Why it ranks #10
CUNY New York City College of Technology lands at #10 with a 85/100 composite, led by value per dollar (88/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $49,365 a decade after enrolling, 6% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,127 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 #11
College of Staten Island CUNY lands at #11 with a 84/100 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, 15% above 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.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #12
CUNY Bronx Community College lands at #12 with a 84/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $41,307 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,462 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #13
Ulster County Community College lands at #13 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (53/100). Graduates earn a median $41,896 a decade after enrolling, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,035 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 #14
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College lands at #14 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $42,306 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,976 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #15
Suffolk County Community College lands at #15 with a 83/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by academic quality (48/100). Graduates earn a median $49,907 a decade after enrolling, 7% above this list's average, and net price runs $5,258 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #16
CUNY Queensborough Community College lands at #16 with a 82/100 composite, led by value per dollar (90/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $44,214 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,458 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
Kings Point, NY · 34% accepted · $6,174 net
Why it ranks #17
United States Merchant Marine Academy lands at #17 with a 82/100 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, 95% above this list's average, and net price runs $6,174 a year. 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 #18
Monroe Community College lands at #18 with a 81/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $40,174 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,353 a year. 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 #19
CUNY LaGuardia Community College lands at #19 with a 81/100 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, 10% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,120 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #20
CUNY Hostos Community College lands at #20 with a 80/100 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, 13% 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
Why it ranks #21
Orange County Community College lands at #21 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (47/100). Graduates earn a median $44,117 a decade after enrolling, 5% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,794 a year. 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 #22
CUNY Kingsborough Community College lands at #22 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (89/100) and pulled down by social mobility (47/100). Graduates earn a median $42,621 a decade after enrolling, 8% below this list's average, and net price runs $5,606 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 #23
Fulton-Montgomery Community College lands at #23 with a 80/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (51/100). Graduates earn a median $39,535 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,696 a year. 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 #24
Niagara County Community College lands at #24 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (83/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $42,285 a decade after enrolling, 9% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,876 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #25
Talmudical Seminary of Bobov lands at #25 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (96/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (13/100). Graduates earn a median $22,432 a decade after enrolling, 52% below this list's average, and net price runs $2,840 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
Nassau Community College lands at #26 with a 79/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by academic quality (49/100). Graduates earn a median $48,248 a decade after enrolling, 4% above this list's average, and net price runs $7,095 a year, above 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 #27
Columbia-Greene Community College lands at #27 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (85/100) and pulled down by social mobility (49/100). Graduates earn a median $44,441 a decade after enrolling, 4% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,559 a year. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #28
Erie Community College lands at #28 with a 78/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $41,228 a decade after enrolling, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,765 a year, above 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
Genesee Community College lands at #29 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $39,674 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,334 a year, above 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 #30
Hudson Valley Community College lands at #30 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by academic quality (50/100). Graduates earn a median $45,460 a decade after enrolling, 2% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,501 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #31
SUNY Corning Community College lands at #31 with a 77/100 composite, led by value per dollar (84/100) and pulled down by social mobility (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,817 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $7,373 a year, above 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 #32
Onondaga Community College lands at #32 with a 76/100 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, 11% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,562 a year, above 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 #33
SUNY Broome Community College lands at #33 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (41/100). Graduates earn a median $39,710 a decade after enrolling, 15% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,940 a year, above 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 #34
Schenectady County Community College lands at #34 with a 76/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (60/100). Graduates earn a median $40,902 a decade after enrolling, 12% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,947 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list, even with below-average salaries.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #35
SUNY Buffalo State University lands at #35 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% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,346 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
SUNY Westchester Community College lands at #36 with a 75/100 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, 1% above this list's average, and net price runs $9,373 a year, above 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 #37
Sullivan County Community College lands at #37 with a 75/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,354 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,482 a year, above 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 #38
Cayuga County Community College lands at #38 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (82/100) and pulled down by academic quality (44/100). Graduates earn a median $38,709 a decade after enrolling, 17% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,662 a year, above 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
Uta Mesivta of Kiryas Joel lands at #39 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (17/100). Graduates earn a median $31,853 a decade after enrolling, 32% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,156 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 #40
Farmingdale State College lands at #40 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (78/100) and pulled down by social mobility (61/100). Graduates earn a median $69,781 a decade after enrolling, 50% above this list's average, and net price runs $10,867 a year, above 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 #41
Dutchess Community College lands at #41 with a 74/100 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, 6% below this list's average, and net price runs $10,065 a year, above 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 #42
Jamestown Community College lands at #42 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (45/100). Graduates earn a median $38,242 a decade after enrolling, 18% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,850 a year, above 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
Mohawk Valley Community College lands at #43 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (81/100) and pulled down by social mobility (46/100). Graduates earn a median $39,850 a decade after enrolling, 14% below this list's average, and net price runs $8,987 a year, above 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 #44
Clinton Community College lands at #44 with a 74/100 composite, led by value per dollar (79/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $39,246 a decade after enrolling, 16% below this list's average, and net price runs $9,112 a year, above 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 #45
Kehilath Yakov Rabbinical Seminary lands at #45 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (93/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (20/100). Graduates earn a median $36,442 a decade after enrolling, 22% below this list's average, and net price runs $3,822 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 #46
Be'er Yaakov Talmudic Seminary lands at #46 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (2/100). Graduates earn a median $17,360 a decade after enrolling, 63% below this list's average, and net price runs $4,543 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 #47
SUNY Old Westbury lands at #47 with a 73/100 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, 26% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,282 a year, above the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that mobility is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #48
Mesivta Torah Vodaath Rabbinical Seminary lands at #48 with a 73/100 composite, led by value per dollar (92/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (24/100). Net price runs $4,876 a year, well under the field. Because the methodology weights social mobility (35%) and value (20%) above prestige, that low cost is what carries it up the list.
Pillar breakdown
Why it ranks #49
Rockland Community College lands at #49 with a 72/100 composite, led by value per dollar (80/100) and pulled down by academic quality (46/100). Graduates earn a median $50,243 a decade after enrolling, 8% above this list's average, and net price runs $11,282 a year, above 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 #50
United Talmudical Seminary lands at #50 with a 72/100 composite, led by social mobility (100/100) and pulled down by economic outcomes (10/100). Graduates earn a median $25,113 a decade after enrolling, 46% below this list's average, and net price runs $6,640 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
Cut it by what you care about
The same 50 schools, re-ranked by the outcome that matters to you.
Where the programs are
Choosing a college in New York can be daunting, especially when balancing quality education with affordability. With many institutions to consider, it’s essential to focus on those that provide value without overwhelming debt. For instance, the average net price of the schools on this list is just under $3,100, making higher education more accessible for families navigating tight budgets.
The schools featured here stand out for their combination of low net prices, reasonable debt levels, and solid graduation rates. When examining this data, it's important to look at not just the costs but also potential earnings post-graduation and the likelihood of completing a degree. For example, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College shows impressive earnings of $75,971, coupled with a strong graduation rate of 72%, indicating a significant return on investment for students.
Consider CUNY Hunter College, which has a net price of $2,984, but a lower graduation rate of 59%. In contrast, CUNY Bernard M Baruch College, while slightly more expensive at $3,033, offers a higher graduation rate. This kind of tradeoff is crucial as families weigh the balance between cost and the potential for successful outcomes after college. Understanding these nuances can help in making a more informed decision.
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 31 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. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College leads the group at 12.9%, with CUNY Lehman College (10.2%) and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice (9.7%) close behind.
Access varies widely. On average, 20.2% of students at these schools come from families in the bottom income quintile. United Talmudical Seminary enrolls the most, at 61%, 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 18.8% across the list, peaking at 46.8% at CUNY Bernard M Baruch College.
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 1.29, where about 1.0 is the national norm, and CUNY Queens College is highest at 1.82.
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
In this ranking, a noticeable pattern emerges when comparing CUNY Brooklyn College and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Brooklyn College has a lower graduation rate of 55% and earnings of $60,752 compared to John Jay’s earnings of $56,195 and a graduation rate of 56%. While the difference in earnings is small, it highlights that even a slight edge in completion rates can lead to better financial outcomes, underscoring the importance of persistence in education.
After reviewing 50 schools, it’s clear that cost and outcomes vary widely. Families should weigh this data against individual priorities such as program quality, campus culture, and geographical location. For instance, a school with a slightly higher net price may offer a program that's a better fit for a student’s career goals, leading to higher earnings post-graduation. Make sure to factor in these details to find the best balance for your situation.
Ultimately, these metrics reflect a broader truth about the journey from college to career stability. The choice of school impacts not just immediate finances but also long-term earning potential. With smart decision-making informed by data, families can pave a pathway to a more secure future for their students. One decision today can lead to a lifetime of opportunities.
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
Most Affordable Colleges in New York: Your Questions, Answered
What is the #1 school in the Most Affordable Colleges in New York ranking? +
CUNY Hunter College in New York, NY ranks #1 in our 2026 Most Affordable Colleges in New York ranking. It earns the top spot on the strength of a median $63,163 in graduate earnings ten years after enrollment and a 59% 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? +
United States Merchant Marine Academy posts the highest median earnings on this list: $90,610 ten years after enrollment, well above the $46,515 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? +
United States Merchant Marine Academy has the highest graduation rate in this ranking at 81%, compared with a 37% 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 $6,534 a year across the 50 ranked schools with cost data. Talmudical Seminary of Bobov is among the most affordable at roughly $2,840. Net price is a far better guide to affordability than the published sticker price.
How is the Most Affordable 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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